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DEAN SHIELS got used to winning leagues during his time at Rangers and has every intention of continuing that silverware success after signing for Dunfermline.
The former Hibs and Kilmarnock attacker has penned a 12-month contract with the Pars and made his debut as a second-half substitute in Tuesday’s Betfred Cup encounter with neighbours East Fife.
The Northern Ireland internationalist has returned to Scottish football after leaving Ibrox last summer with three league titles in the bag from his four-year stint, and he quickly added the League of Ireland trophy to his personal haul last year after joining Dundalk.
And, after a five-month stint in the North American Soccer League with FC Edmonton, the 32-year-old is desperate to continue his winning streak with the Pars.
He said: “This is a Premiership club, really, and standards have to be set, and we have to focus on getting promotion.
“I don’t think there’s any point turning up every week just hoping for the best.
“You’ve got to set goals, and try to collectively achieve them.
“Speaking to a couple of people at the club, I know there’s ambitions here. We want to do well and get promoted.
“I want to win the league here. Whether we can do that or not, I don’t know, but that has to be the aim.”
The move to East End Park reunites Shiels with former Rangers team-mate Nicky Clark, who he admits he sounded out about the switch to Fife.
Despite having only been away from Scottish football for 12 months, the one-time Arsenal trainee admits he has packed a lot into that time.
European football with Dundalk, playing against the likes of AZ Alkmaar, Maccabi Tel Aviv and Zenit St Petersburg in the Europa League group stages, broadened his horizons, as did his travels across North America with Edmonton.
EXPERIENCE
He added: “It was a great experience for me in Canada.
“I had always wanted to go and play abroad and since I’ve left Rangers I’ve played in some brilliant places, in Europe and over in North America.
“It was a great experience and one I really enjoyed, with new styles of football and different cities and different cultures
“Since I’ve left Rangers, I’ve played in Russia, Tel Aviv, Miami, New York, and all these places.
“That’s what I wanted, to go away and do that, and I’m glad I did.
“I think most footballers want to experience something new and different types of football.
“I would encourage any player to do that, and experience as much as they can throughout their career.
“I just wanted a new experience. I had been in Scotland and England a long time, and I wanted to experience a new way of life, and it certainly was that.
“Now I’m here the hard work starts, to try to get into the team and help the team as much as I can.”
