Dean Shiels Dean Shiels Dean Andrew Shiels (born 1 February 1985) is a professional footballer, who plays as an attacking midfielder for Derry City. Shiels has previously played for Hibernian, Doncaster Rovers, Kilmarnock, Rangers, Dundalk, FC Edmonton and Dunfermline Athletic. He has also played in 14 full international matches for Northern Ireland. His father is Kenny Shiels, who was his manager at Kilmarnock. Shiels started his professional career at Arsenal, but made no first team appearances for the club before signing for Hibernian in 2004. In early 2006, Shiels had an operation to remove his right eye, which had been blind since
Kenny Shiels from dropping down at the end of the season. Shiels responded by making a number of big name signings, including Tommy Wright, Paul Beesley and Liberian international Leon Browne, but none of them proved a success and the club finished in fifth place. The club improved significantly in the 2002–03 season, although ultimately they managed only second place in the First Division, as well as the Ulster Cup and the Country Antrim Shield. The league position was enough to ensure promotion, although the club had led the table until near the end when Dungannon Swifts took over at the top.