Kenny Shiels: Rangers have ruined my son’s career

Dean Shiels has struggled for a regular starting place in Rangers' line-up this season. Picture: SNS

Accies made an approach for playmaker Shiels before the transfer window closed on Monday after they agreed to sell Tony Andreu to Norwich in a £1 million deal.

But the cash-strapped Ibrox club knocked back Hamilton’s advances, despite the chance to bring in much-needed income and the fact the player hasn’t started a game in nearly two months.

That decision seems even more bemusing following Kenny McDowall’s stunning admission that each of the five loan signings brought in from Newcastle United must start when they are fit.

Given Shiels has only made the Rangers starting line-up four times this season, it’s fair to assume his chances of featuring are now even less than they already were.

The 30-year-old’s father – the former manager of Kilmarnock and Morton – is adamant the ex-Arsenal trainee is the best player at Ibrox.

But he feels he has stalled during his time at Rangers and missed out on furthering his international career with Northern Ireland.

Shiels, 58, said: “I don’t think Rangers not letting Dean go is as big a surprise as him not playing in the team.

“It’s quite remarkable when you’ve got one of the most creative players in Scotland there – something Rangers are lacking – and he’s not playing.

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“He’s one of a breed and, looking at it from a neutral perspective with my football head rather than as his parent, I think he should be in the side.

“Rangers have had a problem fitting number 10s into their team, going as far back as Charlie Adam, John Fleck and Andrew Shinnie.

“They were all quality players but none of them got much football in rigid 4-4-2 formations and they weren’t able to play in the team because of the system. Dean is now in that bracket as well but, if you look at his record, his goals and assists are very good.

“He is Rangers’ best player and one of the top six in his position in the country so it’s beyond the realms of belief as to why he isn’t in the team. Every other team in Scotland – perhaps with the exception of Celtic as they have Kris Commons – would take Dean.

“It’s unfortunate for him and these last three years have ruined his career. He has lost international caps because of what has happened but he trains hard every day.

“People are asking me all the time why Dean isn’t playing because they can’t understand it. Everyone knows what he can do.

“His goals record is outstanding for someone who plays at the top of the midfield and he is working hard all the time.

“It beggars belief that he hasn’t been playing. When you see the five Newcastle players coming in, his chances are going to be even less.”

Dean Shiels played under his father at Kilmarnock before signing for Rangers in 2012. He was short-listed for the Player of the Year award in his final season at Kilmarnock.