No Shiels for Pars after red card appeal fails

Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston revealed yesterday the Pars have been unsuccessful in appealing Dean Shiels’ red card from the weekend’s Irn-bru Cup defeat to Falkirk.

The Northern Irishman, who has made 12 appearances since joining in the summer from Canadian club FC Edmonton, was dismissed in the dying stages of the 2-0 loss following a reckless tackle on Joe Mckee.

And due to the nature of incident, the former Rangers and Hibs attacking midfielder will be forced to serve the two-match ban in the upcoming Championship clashes with Queen of the South and Livingston.

Confirming the ruling at Hampden, Johnston, whose side make the trip to Dumfries tomorrow, said: “We appealed the red card. It was heard on Thursday morning and I just know he never won the appeal.

“I think it was more of a slip, he went in really fast and it looks bad when you see it in real-time.

“When you actually slow it down, you can see he’s slipped and that’s why it’s looked worse than it was.

“But he was nowhere near the player when he goes in for the challenge and I don’t think he was ever endangering the opponent – and that’s what a sending off is for.

“He has slipped a wee bit and his knee gets bent behind and his ankle goes back as well so he’s lucky he never injured himself – typical striker trying to close down. I’m sure he’ll learn from that and move on.”

Taking into account Shiels’ ineligibility for the next two games, Johnston was thrilled that Northern Ireland defender Callum Morris, Canadian midfielder Fraser Aird, Scotland under-21 full-back Ryan Williamson and under-19s forward Callum Smith all avoided injury on international duty.

Johnston, whose side are two points adrift of leaders St Mirren, added: “They’ve come back fine so that’s great news.

“Fraser Aird played when he was away with Canada; Ryan Williamson, different class, being involved with Scotland under-21s and the two younger guys as well.

“Ryan is fine. To get a game against England, a team of that calibre, it’s great experience for him.”