Former Rangers defender Matty Shiels says confidence is key to sparkling recent showings

Matty Shiels signed for Dumbarton looking to reinvent himself as an attacking player.

The 23-year-old has been deployed as a striker, winger, wing-back and centre-half already in his 13 appearances for the Sons this season.

But following a season-ending injury for left-back Greig Young, he’s now flourishing at full-back – playing a starring role in Dumbarton’s biggest home win for over a year.

And Shiels believes he’s found his perfect position, after winning a penalty, scoring a goal and setting one up – all from left-back – in Saturday’s 4-0 rout over Bonnyrigg Rose.

The former Rangers kid, who had a short loan spell with the Sons in 2019, told the Lennox: “Being involved in three goals is not something I’ve done before!

“I was delighted with the assists, but to get a goal is brilliant. It’s my first league goal. I’ve scored in the League Cup three times, but it was really special to get that first league goal.

“At the end of last season John Rankin, my boss at Hamilton, played me further up the pitch. So when I signed for Dumbarton it was as a winger or striker.

“I went in at left centre-back when we went to a back three and then across to left-back. If I’m being honest I think it probably is my strongest position.

“Playing with a team who have so much possession is good for me. It gets me on the ball higher up the pitch more often with the game in front of me.

“The way we’re playing allows me and Carlo (Pignatiello) as the full-backs to play as wingers.

“On the other side you need to make sure you get back, so we’re covering plenty of ground.”

Shiels has been a standout performer in his second spell at The Rock, having made just a handful of starts as a teenager during his first stint under Jim Duffy’s management.

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