Dean Shiels last home match of the 2008–09 season, when he scored the first goal in a 2–0 victory over Crystal Palace. Shiels scored six goals in 42 games during the 2009–10 season. However, during the 2010–11 season Shiels lost his place in the Doncaster starting line-up. He was loaned to Kilmarnock in July 2011 and his contract was mutually terminated in January 2012. Shiels signed a six-month loan deal with Kilmarnock, managed by his father Kenny Shiels, in July 2011. Shiels made his first appearance for Kilmarnock on 30 July 2011, in a goalless draw against Motherwell at Rugby Park, coming
Kenny Shiels embarrassed by the result and extremely disappointed with the performance. The scoreline was criticized by Dundee's manager Paul Hartley, whose team was promoted to the Scottish Premiership, comparing the scoreline to that of matches played in a pub league, while the chief executive, Scot Gardiner, would described the score line as "laughable" and "ridiculous". After a spell managing BEC Tero Sasana in Thailand, Shiels was appointed manager of League of Ireland club Derry City in November 2015. Shiels is the father of Northern Ireland international player Dean Shiels. Shiels is also the father-in-law of St Mirren manager Oran Kearney. His