Kenny Shiels an "outrageous fabrication" on turning against him. He since he has no regret accusing Dallas, insisting it was a clear conscience. Once again, Shiels received a four-game ban after being found guilty of two charges over comment about Andrew Dallas. In March 2013, Shiels signed a returning striker, Kris Boyd, whose team [Kilmarnock] which he started his career with, on a free transfer. At the end of the 2012–13 season, with the club finished ninth place, endured their worst home record in more than 30 years, Shiels future at Kilmarnock was in doubt after making comment about Celtic in a
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.