Kilmarnock: 2012's best Scottish achievers, says Kenny Shiels

Kilmarnock's Garry Hay with the Scottish League Cup trophy

Kenny Shiels believes his Kilmarnock side have outshone any other football team in Scotland during 2012.

While Celtic won the title and reached the Champions League last 16 and Hearts the Scottish Cup, Shiels' side lifted the Scottish Communities League Cup.

"What we've achieved in 2012 has far surpassed what any other club in Scotland have achieved," he said.

"Under the circumstances, way, way far ahead of any other club. It's immense what we achieved, absolutely immense."

Although Kilmarnock beat Celtic 1-0 at Hampden in March, they missed out on qualifying for European competition last season.

Kenny Shiels enjoys their Hampden victory with midfielder James Fowler

Shiels' side finished seventh in the Scottish Premier League and presently sit one spot below last term's final position.

But the outspoken Kilmarnock manager believes his club have over-performed considering the size of their support and resources - and the weight of debt hanging over the Ayrshire club.

"We've beaten Rangers, we've beaten Celtic twice and we've beaten Aberdeen away," he said.

"We've beaten Hearts away, we've beaten Hibernian away - all in a calendar year.

"What a magnificent effort from our players who have come from little clubs.

"What the players have achieved and my coach Jimmy Nicholl has achieved is nothing short of unbelievable."