Speaking to The Yorkshire Post Doncaster's new signing explains why he decided to join The Rovers
WHEN Sean O'Driscoll took his first look at new signing Dean Shiels, he saw only one thing - a footballer who could be a real asset to Doncaster Rovers.
With seven caps for Northern Ireland and over 100 appearances for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League, Shiels also possessed a CV that commanded instant respect.
When O'Driscoll made checks into his background, however, it soon became apparent that Shiels was different to other professional footballers. The former Arsenal trainee has been blind in one eye for 17 years.
Undeterred, the Rovers manager set about signing the player and today, on the windswept Fylde coast, the 24-year-old is hoping to make his Championship debut against Blackpool.
Significantly, Shiels says it makes no difference to his performance; even more importantly, his new manager has only praise for his character and ability.
"It happened in a house accident but it's in the past now and I am just looking forward," Shiels told the Yorkshire Post. "It's something that I have had to acclimatise to since before I started playing football. It is something only I know how to deal with but it doesn't affect my game."
After four seasons in the SPL, there can be no questioning that.
Shiels played with Cesc Fabregas and Sebastian Larsson in an Arsenal youth side that was as good as any other in the country. At the age of 20, he moved north of the border to join Hibernian.
"I had a year left on my contract at Arsenal but wanted to go out and try playing first-team football somewhere," he said. "I was grateful to Hibs for giving me that chance."
Tony Mowbray, now the manager of West Bromwich Albion, was in charge at Easter Road and Shiels says the former Middlesbrough defender played a key role in his development.
"He introduced me to first-team football and taught me a lot about the game, how to play and what movements to make. I owe a lot to Tony Mowbray, he took my game to the next level."
Shiels thinks Rovers manager O'Driscoll can now do the same and is well aware of his reputation for bringing the best out of players. The careers of Matthew Mills, James O'Connor and Richie Wellens have all been given new impetus by O'Driscoll after they stepped away from Premier League clubs. Midfielder John Spicer was also in the same Arsenal youth team as Shiels.
"There are a lot of lads in that Arsenal side who have gone on to do great things but there are others who don't even play anymore," he reflected. "I improved a lot in Scotland and I have experienced a lot of highs and lows.
"Now I see this move as another great opportunity. The manager has a great reputation for developing players and improving them. Although I had other offers, I wanted to join a passing team. Sean O'Driscoll's sides have got fluency in midfield and that will suit my game."
Equally comfortable in attack or midfield, Shiels's arrival should help provide a solution to the shortage of goals that has hindered Rovers at times this season.
Things have been improving fast in recent weeks, however, and a return of 13 points from the last five games has lifted the club one point clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand.
Commenting on his decision to sign Shiels this week, O'Driscoll said: "We have improved the squad from a long term point of view. He is at a good age and, in the long term, we think he is a good asset to the football club.
"Unfortunately, he has been blind in one eye since he was seven - so to get to be a professional footballer, or a professional anything, shows a great strength of character and that is one of the biggest things you look for in any player.
"He initially impressed me with his ability and then I found out, at a later date, that he had overcome this problem," added O'Driscoll.
"He has been schooled in the right way and he has played in the Scottish Premier Division. Tony Mowbray spoke very highly of him.
"Hopefully, he can play a big role here."
When O'Driscoll made checks into his background, however, it soon became apparent that Shiels was different to other professional footballers. The former Arsenal trainee has been blind in one eye for 17 years.
Undeterred, the Rovers manager set about signing the player and today, on the windswept Fylde coast, the 24-year-old is hoping to make his Championship debut against Blackpool.
Significantly, Shiels says it makes no difference to his performance; even more importantly, his new manager has only praise for his character and ability.
"It happened in a house accident but it's in the past now and I am just looking forward," Shiels told the Yorkshire Post. "It's something that I have had to acclimatise to since before I started playing football. It is something only I know how to deal with but it doesn't affect my game."
After four seasons in the SPL, there can be no questioning that.
Shiels played with Cesc Fabregas and Sebastian Larsson in an Arsenal youth side that was as good as any other in the country. At the age of 20, he moved north of the border to join Hibernian.
"I had a year left on my contract at Arsenal but wanted to go out and try playing first-team football somewhere," he said. "I was grateful to Hibs for giving me that chance."
Tony Mowbray, now the manager of West Bromwich Albion, was in charge at Easter Road and Shiels says the former Middlesbrough defender played a key role in his development.
"He introduced me to first-team football and taught me a lot about the game, how to play and what movements to make. I owe a lot to Tony Mowbray, he took my game to the next level."
Shiels thinks Rovers manager O'Driscoll can now do the same and is well aware of his reputation for bringing the best out of players. The careers of Matthew Mills, James O'Connor and Richie Wellens have all been given new impetus by O'Driscoll after they stepped away from Premier League clubs. Midfielder John Spicer was also in the same Arsenal youth team as Shiels.
"There are a lot of lads in that Arsenal side who have gone on to do great things but there are others who don't even play anymore," he reflected. "I improved a lot in Scotland and I have experienced a lot of highs and lows.
"Now I see this move as another great opportunity. The manager has a great reputation for developing players and improving them. Although I had other offers, I wanted to join a passing team. Sean O'Driscoll's sides have got fluency in midfield and that will suit my game."
Equally comfortable in attack or midfield, Shiels's arrival should help provide a solution to the shortage of goals that has hindered Rovers at times this season.
Things have been improving fast in recent weeks, however, and a return of 13 points from the last five games has lifted the club one point clear of the relegation zone with a game in hand.
Commenting on his decision to sign Shiels this week, O'Driscoll said: "We have improved the squad from a long term point of view. He is at a good age and, in the long term, we think he is a good asset to the football club.
"Unfortunately, he has been blind in one eye since he was seven - so to get to be a professional footballer, or a professional anything, shows a great strength of character and that is one of the biggest things you look for in any player.
"He initially impressed me with his ability and then I found out, at a later date, that he had overcome this problem," added O'Driscoll.
"He has been schooled in the right way and he has played in the Scottish Premier Division. Tony Mowbray spoke very highly of him.
"Hopefully, he can play a big role here."
