Rangers sign former Kilmarnock and Hibs midfielder Dean Shiels

Published on 31/07/2012 13:50

RANGERS have completed the signing of former Kilmarnock midfielder Dean Shiels on a four-year contract.

The Northern Ireland international, who began his career with a four-year spell at Hibernian, becomes manager Ally McCoist’s latest addition as he aims to prepare the club for life in the Third Division.

McCoist has already secured the services of former Hearts midfielder Ian Black and Shiels’s international team-mate Andy Little.

Rangers are aiming to complete Shiels’s registration on Friday afternoon and he could feature in the League Cup fixture against East Fife at Ibrox.

The 27-year-old had spent much of last season on loan at Kilmarnock from Doncaster Rovers.

He won the League Cup last season alongside his father, Rugby Park manager Kenny Shiels, when they defeated Celtic 1-0 in the final.

Shiels scored 15 goals in 43 appearances for Kilmarnock last season and was shortlisted for the PFA Scotland Player of the Year award.

Top-flight clubs voted against allowing Rangers entry into the Scottish Premier League and they will play in the Third Division this season.

But, despite Rangers dropping down the divisions, Shiels says he has signed for what he still regards as a “massive” club.

He said: “I’m over the moon to be here.

“First and foremost, I wanted to sign for Rangers. No matter what league they are in, it’s a massive club.

“I can’t wait to get started. I’m delighted to be here, it’s one of the biggest clubs in the world.”

The Northern Ireland international has no qualms about playing in the Scottish Football League’s bottom division.

He added: “It doesn’t concern me, no.

“I see it as a challenge, as a personal challenge, to try to do my bit to get this club back to where it belongs, back to top-flight football.”