Shiels named new Dungannon Swifts boss

 Former Hibs and Rangers player Dean Shiels has been named as the new manager of Dungannon Swifts.

The 14-times capped Northern Ireland international was appointed this evening ahead of Saturday’s clash with Coleraine.

Shiels, 36, is currently coaching the Northern Ireland ladies team which is managed by his dad Kenny Shiels.

Club chairman Keith Boyd said he was delighted to name Shiels as the new Dungannon supremo.

“He has been getting rave reviews as a coach with the Senior Women’s International team and I’m sure he will bring the experience he has gathered from that into the job. I’m really looking forward to working alongside him and I wish him every success!”

Swifts parted company with Kris Lindsay in the middle of last month after a poor run of results left the Tyrone side bottom of the table.

Since then the club’s head of youth development, Dixie Robinson, had been in charge in a caretaker role.

Shiels said he would do everything in his power to help Dungannon become a force to be reckoned with again.

“I’m delighted to join Dungannon Swifts, from the moment I met with the club it felt the right decision for me and I’m grateful to Keith and the board for the opportunity,” he said.

The club is going through a difficult period on the pitch at this moment and I’m fully aware of the challenge ahead but I’m excited to take it head on. I have a strong belief on how the game should be played and I will guarantee I will give everything to put a team on the pitch to compete and be successful.”