The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Pars boss would have no qualms over using Shiels at Falkirk
Dunfermline manager Allan Johnston insists he will have no qualms about pitching Dean Shiels into the cauldron of the Falkirk Stadium tomorrow when the fierce rivals cross swords for the first time since the game between the sides in January.
A small minority of Bairns supporters disgraced themselves on their last visit to East End Park, lobbing fake eyeballs at Shiels, who was forced to have surgery to remove his right eye in 2006 due to a domestic accident when he was eight years old.
Falkirk swiftly apologised for the actions of an element of their travelling fanbase.
It was the latest ugly incident in a distasteful campaign in this rivalry, with Kevin O’hara and Joe Mckee banned for eight and four matches respectively for ‘excessive misconduct’ for mocking Shiels’ affliction during an Irn-bru Cup fixture in October. The former Rangers and Hibs star was sent off for a lunge on Mckee in injury-time of that fixture.
When the sides met a month later, Pars duo Declan Mcmanus and Kallum Higginbotham were dismissed in an ill-tempered 1-1 draw which, at times, appeared more about settling scores than claiming three points.
Johnston, however, is hopeful Dunfermline’s trip to the Falkirk Stadium will see fans and players alike express their passion in the right manner, and will have no hesitation to field Shiels if required.
“I’m sure there won’t be a repeat of anything like that,” said Johnston, reflecting on the regrettable scenes in their last outing against the Bairns.
“I think both clubs have moved on from that and it’s about the football.
“I’d have no qualms about playing Dean, he’ll be in the squad. He hasn’t been in the starting line-up of late, as we have a lot of options, but he is still a valued member of the team and if called upon I’m sure he will be ready to come in and play.”
Dunfermline cross the Kincardine as the form team in the Championship, having taken 14 points from a possible 18 to soar to third spot in the race for the play-offs, ensuring a seven-game winless run at the start of the year is but a distant memory.