Greg Shields (1995 to 1997)
A former player with Gairdoch United Boys Club, Greg Shields progressed through the youth system at Ibrox to become part of a star studded first squad fully focused on securing a ninth successive League Championship.
The red haired right full-back had been handed a first team debut on the final day of season 1995/96 as Rangers cruised to a 3-0 win at Kilmarnock’s Rugby Park. With a Paul Gascoigne masterclass having secured the title against Aberdeen the previous week, Walter Smith had the luxury of presenting Greg with his opportunity in slightly less pressurised circumstances. Whilst he gave an assured performance, there was never any realistic prospect of him keeping his place for the Scottish Cup Final and, indeed, Alex Cleland was back in the side for the 5-1 thrashing of Heart of Midlothian at Hampden.
Right full-back had been a problem position for Smith following injury to the outstanding Gary Stevens towards the end of Walter’s first full season in charge. David McPherson had performed admirably during the treble winning campaign of 1992/93 but clearly this was somewhat of a makeshift solution. If Smith had hoped that the signing of Stephen Wright would replicate the success fellow full-back David Robertson had enjoyed since making an identical move, serious injury soon put paid to that.
Greg’s first taste of action during season 1996/97 came early on in the League Cup as Clydebank were defeated 3-0 at Firhill in a match where Peter Van Vossen netted twice. His Ibrox debut came in a clash with Aberdeen in October when Rangers would let a two goal lead slip with the loss of two crucial points, Billy Dodds grabbing a last minute equaliser for the visitors. Greg would keep his place in the side as Dunfermline Athletic were routed in the semi-final of the league cup at Parkhead.
The biggest test of his fledging career then came in the Champions League clash with Ajax at Ibrox. With the Dutch having already shown their undoubted class in the match in Amsterdam, a back line including Shields and fellow youth product Scott Wilson found themselves up against the attacking prowess of Ronald de Boer, Patrick Kluivert, Marc Overmars and Tijjani Babangida (to name but a few). Despite suffering a 1-0 reverse, both players had shown up well in what was a credible performance with a much depleted Gers starting line up. The two players would line up together regularly in years to come.
Greg was back in the side for the trip to Pittodrie at the start of December and had a terrific game as Rangers took revenge for the previous league clash between the sides to run out comfortable 3-0 winners.
Shields would feature on 6 occasions as NIAR was secured and, in all, made 11 first team appearances during his time at Ibrox. Strong in the tackle, mobile and with an impressive work rate, Greg was a defender first and foremost but was also comfortable on the ball and perfectly reliable whenever called upon.
With Rangers recruiting heavily during the summer of 1997 Greg took the opportunity to move to Dunfermline in order to secure regular first team football. A fee of £200,000 was received and the player left with the best wishes of his former employers.
Shields would provide great service to Dunfermline Athletic over the years, the Dalgety Bay man making over 200 league appearances and captaining the East End Park side during two separate spells in Fife as a player. Although having to settle for the runners up prize on both occasions, Greg led his side out as Captain as Dunfermline competed in the 2006 League Cup Final and the 2007 Scottish Cup Final.
With his playing career drawing to a close, Greg left the Club in 2009 but would later return to as first team coach before being appointed as Head of Academy in the summer of 2022. He had spent much of the previous decade in the United States.
In addition to his time at Dunfermline Athletic, Greg had a stint in England with Charlton Athletic whilst spending a couple of seasons at Kilmarnock following a successful loan period on Ayrshire.
by Rick Plews
