Rangers’ midfielder; from fringes to first team
A figure who has been the very
epitome of ‘fringe player’ since he joined is Northern Ireland’s Dean Shiels.
epitome of ‘fringe player’ since he joined is Northern Ireland’s Dean Shiels.
Formerly a top-scoring Kilmarnock
striker, Shiels was nominated for Scotland’s
player of the year in 2012, but then took the gamble of joining Scotland’s
lowest tier to join Rangers in their new surroundings among the likes of
Brechin’s hedge.
striker, Shiels was nominated for Scotland’s
player of the year in 2012, but then took the gamble of joining Scotland’s
lowest tier to join Rangers in their new surroundings among the likes of
Brechin’s hedge.
Ever since then, like his
colleague David Templeton, Shiels has failed to really secure a starting berth
on a regular basis. He did manage a temporary run early 2014, but before and
after he has been a frequent benchwarmer under McCoist then McDowall.
colleague David Templeton, Shiels has failed to really secure a starting berth
on a regular basis. He did manage a temporary run early 2014, but before and
after he has been a frequent benchwarmer under McCoist then McDowall.
It was not until Stuart McCall
came in that Rangers finally started to see the very best of Dean Shiels, a
different Dean Shiels to the one we expected, but an equally effective one.
came in that Rangers finally started to see the very best of Dean Shiels, a
different Dean Shiels to the one we expected, but an equally effective one.
Under the former Bradford boss, Shiels has found himself in a midfield
role, alternating between advanced and defensive. His link and support play has
been quietly superb, and his winning header at the weekend just reward for the
excellent work he has done deeper than we would expect him.
role, alternating between advanced and defensive. His link and support play has
been quietly superb, and his winning header at the weekend just reward for the
excellent work he has done deeper than we would expect him.
He said:
“There was a large group who were not
playing (under McCoist) and what you should do in those situations is keep
working hard. Obviously I wasn’t getting much game time but I think this season
has been the hardest I’ve ever worked, especially through October, November and
December when I wasn’t playing. You do that in case your chance comes and
thankfully under the new manager it has done.”
playing (under McCoist) and what you should do in those situations is keep
working hard. Obviously I wasn’t getting much game time but I think this season
has been the hardest I’ve ever worked, especially through October, November and
December when I wasn’t playing. You do that in case your chance comes and
thankfully under the new manager it has done.”
It really has. McCall’s direction
has given Shiels a completely new lease of life. As mentioned, he is no longer
playing as an attacker, but as an auxiliary midfield link man. He provides
space, and support, and always uses the ball, rarely wasting a pass.
has given Shiels a completely new lease of life. As mentioned, he is no longer
playing as an attacker, but as an auxiliary midfield link man. He provides
space, and support, and always uses the ball, rarely wasting a pass.
He is the kind of player who is
always available to take pressure off opponents, and somehow finds yards with
which to work. This new aspect of his game has shown Rangers fans what McCoist
and McDowall’s ‘management’ could not, that Shiels is a top-class player who
was utterly wasted under previous regimes.
always available to take pressure off opponents, and somehow finds yards with
which to work. This new aspect of his game has shown Rangers fans what McCoist
and McDowall’s ‘management’ could not, that Shiels is a top-class player who
was utterly wasted under previous regimes.
McCall has put faith in Shiels to
deliver in a different role to the one he is used to, and the former Kilmarnock striker is arguably looking a more rounded and
overall better player than the free-scoring one he was in Ayrshire.
deliver in a different role to the one he is used to, and the former Kilmarnock striker is arguably looking a more rounded and
overall better player than the free-scoring one he was in Ayrshire.
He went on:
“I always believed in my ability to do
well, it’s what I signed up for when I came to the club. It’s been very
difficult going to places like Annan and Arbroath – a long, hard struggle. But
it would be an unbelievable achievement for me to help get Rangers back up.
It’s what I always wanted to do and hopefully it will happen this year.”
well, it’s what I signed up for when I came to the club. It’s been very
difficult going to places like Annan and Arbroath – a long, hard struggle. But
it would be an unbelievable achievement for me to help get Rangers back up.
It’s what I always wanted to do and hopefully it will happen this year.”
If anyone really deserves a crack
at the SPL with Rangers, it is Dean Shiels; a man who gave the SPL up for three
years during the peak of his career for a weaker league.
at the SPL with Rangers, it is Dean Shiels; a man who gave the SPL up for three
years during the peak of his career for a weaker league.
Now, about David Templeton…