Matthew Shiels (born 13 September 2000) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left back for Scottish League Two side Dumbarton.

Early and personal life

Shiels was born in Glasgow.^[1] His paternal grandparents were from Donegal in Ireland.^[2]

Club career

After playing youth football for Rangers, and spending loan spells at Edinburgh City, Dumbarton and Clyde,^[3][4][5] as well as in the United States with Orange County SC,^[6] Shiels signed for Hamilton Academical in summer 2021.^{[7][8][9][10][11][12][13]}

Shiels left Hamilton in June 2023^[14] and re-joined Dumbarton in August 2023^[15] scoring his first goal for the club in a 4-0 victory against Bonnyrigg Rose in November 2023.^[16]

International career

Having previously been called up for Scotland at under-17 level, in November 2017 he was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-18 squad,^[2][17] making his debut on 9 November.^[18]

He also played with the Republic of Ireland under-19s,^[19] before later reverting his international allegiance back to Scotland,^[20] playing ten games for the Scotland under-19 team.^[21]

Playing style

Shiels plays primarily as a left back, but also played as a left winger and striker for Rangers.^[22] On signing for Dumbarton in August 2023 he said he preferred playing in a more attacking role.^[23]

Honours

Hamilton Academical

• Scottish Challenge Cup: 2022–23^[24]

References