Dean desperate to earn Durranty bragging rights

DEAN SHIELS is looking to get one over his old Rangers mentor today.

The Dunfermline forward worked with Ian Durrant during his four years at Ibrox and is full of praise for the former Gers midfielder.

The pair both left Ibrox last summer but Durrant returned to work as Dumbarton’s assistant manager in January.

And the Pars star believes he claim the bragging rights over his old coach.

Shiels said: “I know Durranty well. He’s a good coach and a great football man. He’s a great character for Scottish football and I was happy to see him back in the game at Dumbarton.

“He has too much experience to not be involved.

“He can only help Dumbarton. He’s a great, positive guy and the players there will all feed off that and enjoy working with him.

“He knows the game and will get them organised and hard to beat. But we’ll be prepared and I’d like to beat Durranty, just to give him a bit of stick.”

Shiels has been a key part of Dunfermline’s success so far, with last weekend’s 3-1 win over derby rivals Falkirk following on from a 5-1 hammering of Inverness.

The Northern Irishman said: “I’m enjoying playing. There’s good chemistry in the group.

“We have goals in the team and I’m enjoying being a part of it.

“This is a Premiership club. Everything’s done professionally and you can see there’s ambition here to go further and progress.”

Dumbarton boss Stevie Aitken is hoping to bring the Pars’ momentum to a juddering halt.

He said: “Having a full week to train with no midweek game has given us the chance to work on a few things. And I’m confident we’ll see the benefits of that against Dunfermline.

“We will make sure that if they do take anything, it will be hard earned.”