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
Dean Shiels NASL, Shiels returned to Scotland with Championship club Dunfermline Athletic. In November 2017, two players from Falkirk, Dunfermline's local rivals, were charged with 'excessive misconduct' for taunting Shiels over his visual impairment during a Scottish Challenge Cup fixture between the sides, following an incident during the match in which Shiels had been sent off. Both players were given lengthy suspensions. Shiels left Dunfermline at the end of his contract, having played 25 times for the side. Shortly after leaving Dunfermline, Shiels signed an 18-month pre-contract with League of Ireland Premier Division side Derry City, where he would once again play