Dean Shiels

Dean Andrew Shiels (born 1 February 1985) is a Northern Irish footballer who currently plays as an attacking midfielder for Scottish Championship club Rangers.

When at Kilmarnock Shiels was voted for player of the season for the whole of Scotland by his fellow professionals

Shiels has represented Northern Ireland at full international level and has previously played for Arsenal youth teams, Doncaster Rovers, Hibernian and Kilmarnock. His father is Kenny Shiels, who was his manager at Kilmarnock.

Club career

Hibernian

Shiels started his professional 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.