Kilmarnock captain Manuel Pascali hopes Kenny Shiels avoids further punishment from the SFA, admitting they need their boss back in the dugout.

Shiels, who is serving a three-match touchline ban, faces another SFA hearing for accusing match official Andrew Dallas of "fabricating" evidence.

The Scottish Senior Football Referees' Association welcomed the decision by SFA compliance officer Vincent Lunny to issue a notice of complaint for what they described as an "unprecedented attack" on the integrity of an official.

But Pascali - whose red card in last month's defeat to St Johnstone sparked a heated exchange between Shiels and fourth official Dallas - has defended his manager.

He said: "I know the gaffer sometimes speaks very direct and he's always the same with us.

"He's the kind of character that everybody likes to have around, even the TV and radio like him, because everybody thinks football players and managers are always saying the same things.

"Sometimes he talks over the edge, sometimes he says some things that people take the wrong way.

"But he's an honest man, he says what he wants and what the supporters think as well.

"I think this went a little bit too over the edge because he just said his opinion.

"We are in a world where everyone can have their own opinion.

"I don't know what's going on now. I know he's got a little bit of trouble with the SFA but I hope it's going to go well for us because we need him."

Asked if had sympathy for Shiels, the Italian added: "Everybody's moaning because players and managers are always saying the same things.

"The gaffer said something different and everybody is all over him.

"It was his personal opinion and I know he was gutted about the situation."

Kilmarnock play host to Hibernian in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League tomorrow as they bid to build on last week's victory over Aberdeen.

And, for Pascali, the match is also an opportunity to make amends for their defeat the last time the two clubs met.

He said: "I remember we lost the last game against Hibs 2-1 and we maybe didn't deserve to lose.

"They are a very good side and its going to be tough.

"In recent games they have not been doing very well so it's going to be a battle as usual, especially over Christmas.

"We want to have a good Christmas and have good times and good results so its going to be a battle again."