Dean Shiels first interview
Thursday, 20th Jul 2017Dean Shiels talked to the media on Thursday for the first time as a Dunfermline player.
The 32 year old from Magherafelt in Northern Ireland made the Pars his fourth Scottish club when he signed on Monday. Having decided on returning to the UK from Canada where he made a dozen appearances for NASL club FC Edmonton, Dean spoke to Allan Johnston to see if he would be interested in adding him to his squad.
"I was impressed by what he had to say. I couldn`t wait to sign and get started. I spoke to Nicky (Clark) before I managed to get things sorted, that helps, someone who knows the club and can explain how things are and what the club is like.
"Nicky is the only one here that I have played with before. Lee Ashworth was actually at Killie when I was there but he was in the younger squad at that stage."
Dean played in all three of the lower leagues while at Rangers from July 2012 to June 2016 and he still has the match ball tucked away at home from the Rangers match against Dunfermline on a day that he hit three of the four goals that knocked the Pars out of the Scottish Cup at Ibrox on a miserable Friday night in February 2014. He added:-
"I know the club, I have played against them many times and always enjoyed coming here and playing. It is perfect for me at the moment."
Since leaving Rangers Dean enjoyed European travels with Dundalk as well as seeing a diverse array of venues in North America. At Edmonton his manager was former Par Colin Miller who made 61 appearances between 1995 and 1998. Dean praised his boss:-
"Colin was great with me over there, he is a good manager and he has done a good job for that club."
After leaving Rangers Dean played in Russia, Israel, Miami and New York. The experience has been fantastic and he has fulfilled a desire to play around the globe.
"I wanted to go away and do that and I am happy that I did. I think most footballers want to experience something new and different types of football and different coaching. I would encourage any player to do that and experience as much as they can throughout their career."
Far travelled and promotion winning two years in a row at Rangers, what now for Dean Shiels?
"Obviously I am here and the hard work hard starts to get in the team and help the team as much as I can. This is a Premier League club and standards have to be set and we have to be focused on winning promotion.
"I don`t think there is any point in turning up every week just hoping for the best. You have to set goals and collectively achieve them. I know that there are ambitious people here at the club who want to do well and get promoted. I want to win the league here, whether we can do that or not, that has to be the aim."
When Dean arrived in Scottish football in July 2004 it was to play for Hibs and back then he witnessed Dunfermline as opponents in the Premier League. He had good memories of the contests against the Pars.
"They have always been a tough team to play against and this is a tough place to come. That is the way we have to set our stall out for the season.
"I will need to work hard to try and score goals, try and create goals and try and fulfil whatever instructions the manager gives me."
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