Kenny Shiels believes Hearts are under pressure to finish second

Kenny Shiels feels this weekend's hosts will be feeling the pressure when Kilmarnock call.©SNS Group

Kilmarnock manager Kenny Shiels believes Hearts are under pressure to finish second in the SPL this season.

The Rugby Park boss leads his side in to league action at Tynecastle on Saturday with the two clubs level on points but believes Hearts are feeling the burden of expectation with Rangers competing in the Third Division.

With both teams seeking to close the gap on front-runners Motherwell, Hibernian and Celtic, Shiels believes expectations are high for Hearts to show they can be the second force in Scottish football.

He said: "It's the first time we've come up against them now that they're the second biggest club after Celtic.

"They've got a lot of pressure to finish in second place. They were the last club to split the Old Firm and I feel there's pressure on Hearts to finish second now.

"With the armoury and players that they have and the infrastructure and the salaries and the wages - that brings its own pressure."

Saturday marks the first time Shiels has gone up against Jambos boss John McGlynn and the Killie manager has been impressed by his opposite number so far.

He said: "He's given the young boys a chance and, in terms of promoting young players and giving them opportunities, he's right up there.

"He's done a great job in that department. He's a good guy. I've met him at a couple of things and he's a good person.

"He's a good football man. He's steeped in the tradition of being in the game and working to improve and develop young players, a similar role to what I've done in the past as well.

"I see him as a great ambassador for bringing in young players and trying to promote the game in Scotland."

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