Striker Paul Heffernan insists the Kilmarnock players are 100% behind manager Kenny Shiels.

Suso Santana's injury-time equaliser earned Hearts a 1-1 draw against Kilmarnock in a feisty encounter at Rugby Park on Saturday.

Heffernan bundled home 10 minutes from time to put Kilmarnock ahead but substitute Santana headed in Ryan McGowan's cross late in the game to ensure a share of the points from the Scottish Premier League clash.

Both sides finished the game with 10 men after Dieter van Tornhout and Jamie Hamill were both given their marching orders in the second half.

In a heated war of words before the match, Hearts boss Paulo Sergio suggested that the Killie players were speaking negatively of Shiels behind his back and the Portuguese manager refused a pre-match handshake with his counterpart.

"I have no idea where he got that from, the players are 100% behind what the gaffer is trying to do here," said Heffernan.

"I think the manager calls it as he sees it, not just to the press but to the players as well.

"If he isn't happy with something he will tell you, I don't mind it personally and I am sure none of the lads do either."

Heffernan also bemoaned the state of the Rugby Park pitch, admitting it is becoming difficult to produce their usual fluent passing game.

"The pitch is making things very tough, it was a little better today but that was the first time we have played on it for three weeks," admitted the Dubliner.

"Before today it was almost unplayable, it certainly isn't ideal for our style of play and we are having to change our tactics for our home games."

Hearts boss Sergio explained his reasons for refusing to shake Shiels' hand and insisted he holds no hard feelings towards Kilmarnock Football Club.

There was more drama at the final whistle as tempers flared following a handshake between Kilmarnock's Dean Shiels and the Hearts manager, resulting in a shoving match between a number of players.

"You have to understand why I don't want to shake his hand," Sergio said.

"When he came the second time at the end of the game, it was just to provoke me and get a reaction from the crowd.

"I have no issue with the kid Dean and wouldn't like to see him punished. I would like to wish Kilmarnock all the best and I respect their fans."

Despite snatching a last-gasp leveller, Sergio believed his side should have left Rugby Park with all three points, claiming his side were the only team in the match for long spells.

"Normally Kilmarnock have very good possession, but they didn't have the ball," added Sergio.

"We were the ones playing well but we lacked a freshness up front. At least we got a point, which was more than deserved."