THE statement from John Fleming last night came unannounced and amounted to the Scottish Football Association's head of referee development raising a finger to his lips.

He had been irked by Kenny Shiels criticising one of his referees last weekend, the Kilmarnock manager having accused Euan Norris of making a sarcastic remark at the end of a controversial defeat by Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Shiels had intimated his intention to contact the SFA to make an official complaint but Fleming disapproved at the way he first heard of the issue through the medium of his Sunday newspaper. He stated that Shiels had not taken his complaint any further than that.

The Kilmarnock manager will have allowed his attention to move elsewhere by now – his club were successful with an appeal over the red card goalkeeper Cammy Bell was given by Norris in that match – with Ross County arriving at Rugby Park this afternoon. The match offers Kilmarnock the chance to amend an inconsistent run of form which has anchored them to the lower half of the league table, but Fleming was unwilling to let Shiels' comments pass unanswered. It is possible he'll wake up to read the Northern Irishman's reply in tomorrow's papers.

Fleming's statement read: "I was disappointed that Kenny Shiels elected to speak to the media before myself in relation to comments from Euan Norris he alleged were sarcastic in nature after the Kilmarnock v Inverness SPL match last weekend.

"I was especially disappointed by this course of action since, in the very same interview, Kenny admitted he 'did not know exactly what was said but it was something flippant'.

"For the purposes of clarity, there has been no formal complaint received and no action intended against the match official. I have discussed the matter with Euan and his explanation is as follows. He was approached immediately after the full-time whistle by the Kilmarnock manager, who was shaking his head in disapproval. When confronted by a clearly unhappy manager on the field of play, Euan said: 'You are shaking your head for the benefit of the spectators'.

"There was no sarcasm; no flippancy. It is what Euan believed. Mutual respect between players, coaches and match officials is essential to the game. Recent events elsewhere only serve to underline that fact. I have always encouraged open dialogue but public comments such as those made by Mr Shiels undermine that relationship at a time when, collectively, we should be doing all that we can to enhance it."

Fleming did appear to deviate from that sentiment when he revealed that Norris had been taken ill at a course earlier this week at the end of his statement, the sympathy the news is likely to evoke perhaps making it harder for Shiels to reaffirm his intial comments. Marc Fitzpatrick took a similar stance yesterday when he challenged Shiels' critique of Ross County's performance during a drab 0-0 draw earlier this season. After the match the Kilmarnock manager made it clear that he had been unimpressed by County's style of play and the Highland side would still appear to be a little sore about it.

Fitzpatrick played in that match but sees little reason for his side to adjust their system to suit a rival manager. "[Shiels] is a bit outspoken at times and he has his opinions and likes to play the way he likes," said the County defender. "But it does not suit everyone. Sometimes you need to know when to grind games out."

Paul Heffernan has endured something of a grind himself this season, the Kilmarnock striker having been reduced to just three substitute appearances after a long lay off.

His absence has been notable at times – any team would miss a player that scored 15 goals last season – but Kilmarnock will also have been keen to find out if Heffernan will prove to be as prolific alongside Cillian Sheridan. Having now become fit enough for a starting place against County, as has Heffernan.

"I'm excited about working alongside Cillian. He's an intelligent footballer and it's easy to play alongside good players," Heffernan added. "Hopefully, we can strike up a good understanding and get some goals."