Rangers fears grow over ‘serious’ Shiels injury

Published on 13/03/2013 02:00

RANGERS are sending striker Dean Shiels to a specialist amid ­“serious concern” over the Northern Ireland international’s knee injury.

Shiels was stretchered off during his team’s 2-1 home defeat by Annan in the Irn-Bru Third Division on Saturday and the club revealed they had received worrying news following a scan.

Rangers said that Shiels would head to England for expert opinion on the injury, which occurred during a challenge 
by Annan defender Steven Swinglehurst.

Manager Ally McCoist told the club’s official website: “It’s not great. He was in a lot of pain on Saturday night and he was heavily iced up but he was in pain again the next morning when I spoke to him.

“He went for a scan and the results are not great so he is heading down to London tomorrow to see a specialist. We will learn the next step after that but it’s not looking too good.

“When I looked back at the incident with him, if Dean had hit the ball first time it would have been better but hindsight is a wonderful thing.”

David Templeton could replace Shiels in the team to face Elgin at Borough Briggs on Saturday. McCoist said: “‘Temps’ is still struggling with an Achilles problem but I’m hopeful he will be available for the weekend.”