News

We are delighted to announce the signing of twenty-three year old defender Matty Shiels.

The versatile left-back was most recently with Dumbarton and scored their goal in the Scottish Cup defeat at the hands of Rangers at the weekend.

Matty came through the youth ranks at the Ibrox club and picked up experience through a number of loan deals before joining Hamilton in 2021. He played almost fifty games with the Accies before moving to The Rock last summer.

Paul Hartley is delighted to have landed the player:

“We were interested in him at the start of the season, but weren’t able to make it happen then, so I’m pleased to have got it over the line now. Matty has presence and height, has got good speed, and he will be a really good option for us.”

The player says he is looking forward to this next chapter of his career:

“I had a clause in my contract that I could leave if a full-time club came in for me, and Dumbarton were great, and wished me all the best. Obviously, it was a brilliant way to say goodbye there, scoring against Rangers; I just wish we’d kept a few of their goals out.

“The aim coming here is to get as many games as I can and to help the team get promoted. I do know a couple of the boys, I played with Myles Gaffney last year at Hamilton, and of course, Mikey Doyle, I can’t get away from him, so that helps, although I’m the type who settles in okay. Obviously, there are some first day nerves, but the biggest thing is getting to know everyone’s names!

“Earlier in my career, I did play higher up the pitch, but I think my strengths lie in defence. With Dumbarton in the first half of the season I moved between left-back and centre-half and I feel those positions suit me best.

“Now, I can’t wait to get started. I know how tight the division is, but the boys have obviously been on a good run, and I want to play my part in keeping us up there and trying to get back to the Championship again.”

Matty will wear the number twenty-eight shirt and will be available to make his debut against Queen of the South at the weekend.

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