Matthew Shiels’ final goal for Rangers versus Dumbarton was the ideal send-off.

and the former Ibrox player scored a consolation goal against his former club.

Shiels secured a deal with Cove Rangers, the current leaders of League One, in January, thus his final

game with Dumbarton was on Saturday.

Shiels is excited to test himself after gaining crucial experience in League Two, even though he will face a

fresh challenge.

It is no longer a secret, he clarified. I guess that was my last game.

“It wasn’t meant to be; we were hoping to come out and upset them.” Obviously, getting a goal in my last

game was a wonderful thing.

“My entire family was gathered in the corner, and I simply spotted them as I scored.” My family was

thrilled because they all love the other side of the city.

“Being able to say I scored a goal in my most recent game was satisfying, and it was made even better by

the fact it came against Rangers.”

shoulders with some familiar faces at the weekend.

He said: “There were a couple. When I was 16 or 17 I went away with the first team to Marbella. Connor

Goldson and James Tavernier were there.

“There were a good few. Also, Brian Gilmour was one of my coaches when I was younger so it was good.

“There was no contact prior to the game.” When they came out to watch the pitch, I greeted hi and

chatted with them briefly.

“It would have been nice to reach my goal a little earlier and make it more intriguing.

“It was 3-0 at the moment, so there was a lot of work to be done if we wanted to get back in the tie. “It

was not to be.”

Sheils believes that if Dumbarton had grabbed their chances, Saturday’s cup encounter might have

turned out differently.

He went on to say, “It could have been very different.” The pitch is identical for both teams. It’s difficult

to play on, and we’ve definitely become used to it.

“It did help a wee bit. I think if that game was at Ibrox it might have been a bigger score.

“It was good to play against top class players and try and do your best against them. I thought a lot of the

boys did that.”

On his imminent move to Cove Rangers, Sheils added: “When I first signed with Dumbarton, that was

the goal – to try and get back up the leagues having come down from Hamilton.

“The gaffer was cool with it when I told him. All I’m doing is waiting to see what comes next so that we

can proceed accordingly.

It is now my responsibility to maintain consistency each week and proceed accordingly.

“I didn’t know what I was going to do in the summer. I was waiting it out. Mikey Doyle and I worked out

at the gym and went running every day.

“I’m not sure if getting up there has anything to do with him moving up to Cove,” I said.