Dunfermline Athletic

Dino hoping for a happy new year

Sunday, 31st Dec 2017

"I have been in positions like this before and all it takes is one win just to start you off again. We are hoping that is the case now."

Going into the New Year Derby, Dean Shiels ignored all the off field events that sit in the background following the Irn Bru Cup tie against Falkirk earlier this season. Having played three times against Falkirk since joining the Pars for season 2017-2018, the 32 year old is able to compare this Derby against no fewer than three other Scottish derbies. Speaking exclusively to this website Dean said:-

"The matches against Falkirk have been good games and obviously they are ones that our fans definitely want to win. It gives you that wee bit extra motivation but at the end of the day it is three points and we want to win every game, not just because it is a derby.

"I have played in the Old Firm Derby, Hibs v Hearts and the Ayrshire derby too. They are good games, the players understand what it means to the supporters. It is definitely a game that we want to be winning. I enjoyed them all because it adds that bit of spice to it."

Dunfermline v Falkirk is not on the same scale as Celtic v Rangers but it`s a derby that is important to fans no matter which side of the divide they sit. Dean continued:-

"It`s against your rivals, you are aware that it`s a derby and that there is a little bit more at stake for the supporters and people in their local areas for bragging rights."

The Ayrshire derby is probably a good parallel to the `Kincardine` derby but Dean remembers the one he featured in was played at Hampden:-

"It was the Semi Final of the League Cup and they said it was probably the biggest Ayrshire derby in history. There was a big crowd and I remember scoring the winner that day in extra time. I have fond memories of that Ayrshire derby."

Dean who has scored at all his previous clubs has still to find the net for Dunfermline but he described his role this season does not put him in many goalscoring situations:-

"I have been playing a deeper role and haven`t been able to get forward as much as I did at my previous clubs. I just have to do what I`m told and if the manager doesn`t want me getting forward, I don`t get forward. It depends upon the formation we play but I just have to do what I am instructed to do."

The midfielder dismissed any suggestion that should be frustrating:-

"No I just want to help the team, do whatever is best for the team. It is not about me scoring goals. It doesn`t matter to me who scores goals as long as the team wins. Sometimes you have to sacrifice yourself by not making the run forward just to be in the position where you should be."

The result in the last match against Brechin City came as a relief to every Dunfermline player and Dean revealed their feelings:-

"We needed that win just to start us back on a run again. It was an important three points and we want to use that as a starting block to push on and really strengthen our position at the top.

"Our confidence has dipped and that happens when you don`t win games. People get affected in different ways. I have been in positions like this before and all it takes is one win just to start you off again. We are hoping that is the case now."

With Saturday`s match against Livingston postponed because of snow covered and frozen pitch at the Toni Macaroni Stadium the Pars were denied another win before New Year. Dean acknowledged that the Falkirk game on 2nd January starts a month in which his side will play five matches. Three of these will be at home:-

"The games are coming thick and fast. That`s the way every player likes it, we like playing games and it gives us more chance to try and get points on the board, hopefully we can do that this weekend."



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