The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Race is on to get Shiels cleared ahead of derby
Dean Shiels likely to make Pars debut tonight if international clearance is secured
Dunfermline were last night battling to secure international clearance in time to allow new signing Dean Shiels to make his debut against East Fife in the Betfred Cup tonight.
The Pars have secured the former Rangers, Hibs and Kilmarnock attacker on a 12-month contract following his departure from Canadian outfit FC Edmonton in the North American Soccer League.
The Northern Ireland internationalist put pen to paper at East End Park yesterday but may have to wait for his bow in black and white as the Fifers look to complete the necessary paperwork.
Dunfermline began their competitive action with an impressive 6-0 hammering of Elgin City on Saturday, with Shiels’ former Rangers team-mate Nicky Clark bagging four.
However, manager Allan Johnston is eager for his side not to rest on their laurels as they travel to Bayview for the Fife derby this evening.
He said: “There were a lot of good performances on Saturday, it was a really good performance.
“We just need to make sure that we build on that, not get complacent, do the right things and keep improving as a team.”
Shiels’ arrival will boost Dunfermline’s already potent attack, with summer signing Declan McManus adding to Johnston’s options up front, alongside Clark, Joe Cardle, Michael Paton and Kallum Higginbotham. Johnston believes Higginbotham, in particular, can prove a key player as the season progresses.
He added: “Kallum had three assists on Saturday; we say to him that we want more goals from him as well.
“He was a bit unlucky, Callum Smith took one off his toe towards the end.
“It is something that he needs to add to his game, but overall he is a top-class player and I’m sure that he is going to go from strength to strength this season as well.”