Dean Shiels

Dean Shiels

Personal information
Full name	Dean Andrew Shiels
Date of birth	1 February 1985 (1985-02-01)
Place of birth	Magherafelt, Northern Ireland
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing position	Attacking Midfielder
Club information
Current club	Kilmarnock
Number	20
Youth career
2001–2004	Arsenal
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2004–2009	Hibernian	117	(24)
2009–2012	Doncaster Rovers	83	(10)
2011	→ Kilmarnock (loan)	20	(6)
2012–	Kilmarnock	5	(1)
National team‡
2005–	Northern Ireland	9	(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18 February 2012. † Appearances (Goals). ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 10 March 2010

Dean Andrew Shiels (born 1 February 1985) is a Northern Irish footballer who currently plays for Kilmarnock. Shiels has represented Northern Ireland at full international level and previously played for Arsenal youth teams, Doncaster Rovers and Hibernian.

Career

Hibernian

Shiels started his career at Arsenal, but made no first team appearances for the club before signing for Hibernian in 2004. In early 2006, Shiels had an operation to remove his right eye, which had been blind since a domestic accident when he was eight years old. The damaged eye was causing headaches and it was agreed that surgery was the best solution. In November 2008, St. Mirren apologised to Shiels after one of their supporters verbally abused him regarding his disability during a match at Love Street. Hearts also criticised their supporters after they taunted Shiels about his disability during an Edinburgh derby match.

Shiels returned to action after his eye operation later in 2006. He re-established himself in Hibs' first team squad in the 2006–07 season, scoring in the team's first two league matches. He scored his first hat-trick for Hibs on 12 January 2008 in a 3–0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Scottish Cup, but Shiels struggled to establish himself as a Hibs first team regular throughout his time at Easter Road.

Doncaster Rovers

Shiels, whose contract with Hibernian was due to expire in the summer of 2009, signed for Doncaster Rovers on 2 February 2009. He was transferred for a fee of around £50,000. He made his Rovers debut on 21 February 2009, coming on as a second half substitute in a 3–1 defeat at Swansea City. His first goal for the club came in the last home match of the 2008–09 season, when he scored the first goal in a 2–0 victory over Crystal Palace.

Shiels performed impressively in the 2009–10 season, his first full season with the club, scoring 6 goals in 25 starts from midfield.^{[citation needed]} During the 2010–11 season, however, Shiels lost his place in the Doncaster starting lineup. He was loaned to Kilmarnock in July 2011 and his contract was mutually terminated in January 2012.

Kilmarnock

Shiels signed a six month loan deal with Kilmarnock, managed by his father Kenny Shiels, in July 2011. Shiels made his first appearance for Kilmarnock on 30 July 2011, in a goalless draw against Motherwell at Rugby Park, coming on as a 74th minute substitute. Shiels scored his first goal for Kilmarnock in a 2–1 away defeat to Inverness CT. He scored a penalty in a 1–0 win over Hearts, after Marius Zaliukas fouled Paul Heffernan. Shiels signed for Kilmarnock on a permanent basis in January 2012. Shiels scored the only goal of the Scottish League Cup semi-final against Ayrshire derby rivals Ayr United on 28 January. He also scored the winning goal in a game against Rangers at Ibrox on 18 February, in Rangers' first game after entering administration.

Northern Ireland

Shiels won his first Northern Ireland cap against Portugal in November 2005. He was recalled to the squad for the match against Scotland in August 2008 after an absence of 18 months. Shiels appeared as a second half substitute in the goalless draw at Hampden Park. Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill said in February 2012 that Shiels could still have an international future.

External links

• Dean Shiels career stats at Soccerbase
• Dean Shiels at National-Football-Teams.com
• Irish Football Association profile