Matty Shiels signed for Dumbarton looking to reinvent himself as an attacking player.

The 23-year-old has been deployed as a striker, winger, wing-back and centre-half already in his 13 appearances for the Sons this season.

But following a season-ending injury for left-back Greig Young, he’s now flourishing at full-back – playing a starring role in Dumbarton’s biggest home win for over a year.

And Shiels believes he’s found his perfect position, after winning a penalty, scoring a goal and setting one up – all from left-back – in Saturday’s 4-0 rout over Bonnyrigg Rose.

The former Rangers kid, who had a short loan spell with the Sons in 2019, told the Lennox: “Being involved in three goals is not something I’ve done before!

“I was delighted with the assists, but to get a goal is brilliant. It’s my first league goal. I’ve scored in the League Cup three times, but it was really special to get that first league goal.

“At the end of last season John Rankin, my boss at Hamilton, played me further up the pitch. So when I signed for Dumbarton it was as a winger or striker.

“I went in at left centre-back when we went to a back three and then across to left-back. If I’m being honest I think it probably is my strongest position.

“Playing with a team who have so much possession is good for me. It gets me on the ball higher up the pitch more often with the game in front of me.

“The way we’re playing allows me and Carlo (Pignatiello) as the full-backs to play as wingers.

“On the other side you need to make sure you get back, so we’re covering plenty of ground.”

Shiels has been a standout performer in his second spell at The Rock, having made just a handful of starts as a teenager during his first stint under Jim Duffy’s management.

He continued: “The first time I was here I didn’t play much or have much confidence. But when I went away I got quite a lot of games under my belt at Clyde and then Hamilton.

“I feel as if I’ve got a lot more confidence. I’m probably a totally different player now to how I was.

“I’m a lot more confident taking players on and it’s something I know I didn’t do enough in my first spell. I’m enjoying it a lot more the second time.”

And he’s now aiming to put something else from his first spell right this weekend as Sons travel to face East Fife, having almost scored a memorable goal against the Fifers.

He said: “Another goal and an assist is the aim this weekend.

“In my first spell I picked the ball up on half way against East Fife, beat a load of players and then toepoked it off the keeper. So I’d like to put that right.

“The result certainly gives us a lot of confidence. Hopefully the goals and assists can keep coming and my confidence can keep growing.”

Beaming boss Stevie Farrell praised Shiels, and reigning player of the year Aron Lynas – playing his first game since becoming a father midweek.

Faz added: “Our full-backs are crucial to us and the way we’re trying to play.

“That’s what we work on in training and our full-backs need to be high on the pitch in order to do that.

“For our shape we have two of the best full-backs in the league. I’m delighted for the two of them and Aron Lynas who fitted in well at centre-back.

“It’s been a busy week with the birth of his son and then coming in at centre-back, which isn’t his natural position.

“But we know that he can play there, he’s as good as anyone in the air because of his incredible leap.

“I’m delighted for everyone.”