Matthew Shiels (born 13 September 2000) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left back for Queen's Park.
Early and personal life Shiels was born in Glasgow. His paternal grandparents were from Donegal in Ireland, and he grew supporting Celtic.
Club career After playing youth football for Rangers, and spending loan spells at Edinburgh City, Dumbarton and Clyde, as well as in the United States with Orange County SC, Shiels signed for Hamilton Academical in summer 2021.
Shiels left Hamilton in June 2023 and re-joined Dumbarton in August 2023 scoring his first goal for the club in a 4–0 victory against Bonnyrigg Rose in November 2023, in a game where he also won a penalty and provided an assist. 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. He left Cove after just eight appearances, and returned to Dumbarton on a season long deal in the summer of 2024.
He signed for Queen's Park in June 2025, and renewed his contract with the club in May 2026.
International career 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, making his debut on 9 November.
He also played with the Republic of Ireland under-19s, before later reverting his international allegiance back to Scotland, playing ten games for the Scotland under-19 team.
Playing style Shiels plays primarily as a left back, but also played as a left winger and striker for Rangers. On signing for Dumbarton in August 2023 he said he preferred playing in a more attacking role. During his time with Queens Park, he was described by the club as a " dependable utility man [...] playing a variety of positions".
Career statistics
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsRangers U202017–18———10102019–20———10102020–21———0000Total———2020Edinburgh City (loan)2017–18Scottish League Two30———30Dumbarton (loan)2019–20Scottish League One8010000090Orange County SC (loan)2020USL Championship0000——00Clyde (loan)2020–21Scottish League One 60004000100Hamilton Academical2021–22Scottish Championship801000101002022–23Scottish Championship 270304370413Total350404380513Dumbartom2023–24Scottish League Two172310020223Cove Rangers2023–24Scottish League One80———80Dumbartom2024–25Scottish League One253104000303Queen's Park2025–26Scottish Championship110004000150Career total1135911631201509
Honours Hamilton Academical Scottish Challenge Cup: 2022–23Raith Rovers 0–1 Hamilton Academical, Andrew Petrie, BBC Sport, 26 March 2023
References