Matthew Shiels

Shiels was born in Glasgow.^[1] His paternal grandparents were from Donegal in Ireland,^[2] and he grew supporting Celtic.^[3]

After playing youth football for Rangers, and spending loan spells at Edinburgh City, Dumbarton and Clyde,^[4][5][6] as well as in the United States with Orange County SC,^[7] Shiels signed for Hamilton Academical in summer 2021.^{[8][9][10][11][12][13][14]}

Shiels left Hamilton in June 2023^[15] and re-joined Dumbarton in August 2023^[16] scoring his first goal for the club in a 4–0 victory against Bonnyrigg Rose in November 2023,^[17] in a game where he also won a penalty and provided an assist.^[18] After impressing for the Sons, he left for Scottish League One side Cove Rangers in January 2024 – scoring on his final appearance for the Sons in a 4–1 defeat to Rangers.^[19][20] He left Cove after just eight appearances,^[21] and returned to Dumbarton on a season long deal in the summer of 2024.^[22]

He signed for Queen's Park in June 2025.^[23]

Having previously been called up for Scotland at under-17 level, in November 2017 he was called up to the Republic of Ireland under-18 squad,^[2][24] making his debut on 9 November.^[25]

He also played with the Republic of Ireland under-19s,^[26] before later reverting his international allegiance back to Scotland,^[27] playing ten games for the Scotland under-19 team.^[28]

Shiels plays primarily as a left back, but also played as a left winger and striker for Rangers.^[29] On signing for Dumbarton in August 2023 he said he preferred playing in a more attacking role.^[30]

As of match played 18 October 2025

Hamilton Academical

• Scottish Challenge Cup: 2022–23^[39]