Dean Shiels puts Rangers in the play-offs driving seat

Former Hibs’ midfielder Dean Shiels scored the vital goal that put Rangers in the driving seat in the play-off quarter finals at Palmerston last night.

The second leg will determine who meets Hibs in the semi-final but Rangers are now overwhelming favourites.

Stevie Smith gave the Ibrox side the lead with a sensational free kick just before the break however the Doonhamers equalised in the 64th minute through Derek Lyle.

Eleven minutes later Shiels grabbed the winner with a well taken header from a Richard Foster cross.

Speaking after the final whistle the Ulstermen told the club website: “Obviously every goal is important when you are in these play-offs and they are hard to come by.

“I got into the box and it was a great cross from Fozzy. I then managed to direct in into the net.

“I actually scored one like that in training yesterday and the lads were giving me a bit of stick about it. They keep saying I don’t head the ball enough so I had to show them it wasn’t a fluke!

“Obviously it was really pleasing to see it go in and it gave us a really good victory.

“It was just one of those games where we knew we had to come and dig in.

“It was going to be a tough game, it has been all season, and we had to come with a game plan and try to put it into place.

“We managed to do that and come away with a win which is a very good result for us.

“We’ll now be confident going into our next game at home. We know the job is far from over yet but hopefully if we can get the first goal it will put us in a good position.”

“Stevie (Smith) hasn’t played much football and he’s come in and done a great job tonight.

“We knew from before that he’s very dangerous from free kicks, he did it against Dundee United and in a few big games last season.

“He’s got a great left foot so anywhere around the box he’s got that quality, it was brilliant free kick.”