Matthew Shiels says he will aim to take lessons from Rangers star Borna Barisic as he embarks on the next stage of his career at Hamilton Academical after leaving Ibrox.
The left-back spent 12 years in the Rangers youth system but has left the Scottish Premiership champions to join Hamilton, who will play in the Championship during the upcoming 2021/22 season after relegation from Scotland’s top-flight.
Brian Rice has brought Shiels in from Rangers. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Shiels was a striker before Rangers youth coach Graeme Murty moved him to where he plays now. Shiels says tips from watching former teammate Barisic could be handy (Sun): “It’s sad to leave Rangers after 12 years but I think it is the best thing for my career to get first-team football.
“I’m more of an attacking left-back and I love to get forward. I used to be a striker until U18s and then Rangers moved me to left-back. Graeme Murty said he wanted to try me there in one of the last games of the season and I have been there ever since. It was a wee bit of a surprise but now it was the best thing for me.
“I’m better coming onto the game where I can see everything in front of me. I obviously watched all the Rangers games and looked up to Borna Barisic. He is a top-class player and as well as being a good defender, his crossing and deliveries are brilliant. He is someone I always looked up to and tried to take bits from his game.”
Meanwhile, Ross Callachan has left Hamilton after activating a relegation release clause. He was Hamilton’s top scorer in the 20/21 season and his likely destination is Ross County.
NTOF now offers a YouTube channel featuring exclusive interviews, post-match discussion, in-depth debate, and much more – LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and don’t miss any of our videos.