Steven Smith (footballer, born 1985)

Steven Smith (born 30 August 1985) is a Scottish footballer.

Steven Smith
Personal information
Full name Steven Smith
Date of birth (1985-08-30) 30 August 1985
Place of birth Bellshill, Scotland
Position(s) Left Back
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2002–2010 Rangers 56 (1)
2010–2011 Norwich City 7 (0)
2011 → Aberdeen (loan) 16 (0)
2011–2012 Preston North End 13 (0)
2012 Portland Timbers 21 (0)
2013–2015 Rangers 26 (2)
2015–2018 Kilmarnock 51 (3)
National team
2004–2006 Scotland U21[1] 2 (0)
2006 Scotland B 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23:59, 10 January 2018 (UTC)

A left back, Smith made an early breakthrough with Scottish side Rangers, and was capped by Scotland B in 2006, aged 21. A series of injuries hampered his career with club and country, before he moved to England with Norwich City, aged 24, on a Bosman transfer. During his time there he had a loan spell at Aberdeen and then joined Preston North End. He then moved to Portland Timbers and in 2013 returned to Rangers where he spent two years, before moving to Kilmarnock.

Club career

Rangers

Born in Bellshill, Smith signed a professional contract with Rangers on 1 June 2002.[2] He made his Rangers debut against Heart of Midlothian on 28 November 2004 as a half-time substitute for Maurice Ross. He played a further three times that season but had to wait until the winter of 2005 to establish himself in the team. He made twenty top team appearances that season including his UEFA Champions League debut against Villarreal CF on 22 February 2006. He signed a two-year contract extension less than a week later, on 27 February 2006.[3] Smith went on to win the Scottish Premier League young player of the month for April 2006 which cemented his place as first choice left-back at the club.[4]

The then new manager Paul Le Guen kept faith in Smith and despite Rangers' poor results and performances, he started the 2006–07 season in impressive form. This was rewarded with a further contract extension which he signed on 27 October 2006.[5] Smith scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Dunfermline Athletic on 11 November 2006 during a game where he was named the Man of the Match.[6]

During the winter of 2006, Smith was troubled by a recurring pelvic injury which would eventually sideline him for over a year. His last match before being injured was an Old Firm match on 17 December. Almost a year later, 20 November 2007, it was reported that Smith was finally on the injury comeback and after a successful hernia operation, he was soon to be fit again.[7] He returned to the first team, appearing as an unused substitute in a Scottish Cup match against Partick Thistle in March 2008, over fifteen months after his last appearance[8] and he made his first start back in the replay of that match the following month.

Smith suffered further injuries in the summer of 2008 and he was ruled out of action until the November 2008. After recovering, he found it difficult to make inroads into the first team. He joined Cardiff City on trial on 25 March 2009,[9] returning to Rangers without having played a first-team game. When injuries and suspensions meant seven first team players were ruled out of the Rangers team, Smith was given his first start in over a year on 11 April 2009, in a league match against Motherwell. He played 73 minutes in the unfamiliar position of left midfield but did well enough to keep his place for following matches.[10]

In season 2009–10 Smith won his first trophy as a player when Rangers defeated St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup Final.[11]

Norwich City

On 2 June 2010, Smith signed for Norwich City on a Bosman transfer and was handed number 26.[12] However, an achilles injury picked up in pre season has prevented Smith making his Norwich City debut. He made his return to training during the September international break. He made his first appearance in the squad for the fixture against Hull on 25 September, as an unused substitute. Smith made his Norwich City debut in the 4–3 victory over Leicester City, as a second half sub for the two goal hero Wes Hoolahan on 28 September. He made his first start in the 3–0 away victory over Bristol City due to the injury to Adam Drury in the warm up on 2 October 2010. Smith is expected to be given an extended run in the team due to Adam Drury's groin injury. Unfortunately, Smith picked up a hip injury in the 2–2 draw against Burnley, and was sidelined beyond the new year. Norwich boss Paul Lambert announced that Smith was looking to leave Norwich as he was finding it hard to settle in the area, and wanted to move back up to Scotland.

Aberdeen

On 31 January 2011, Smith signed for Aberdeen on loan for the remainder of the 2010–11 season.[13]

Preston North End

On 12 August 2011, Smith joined Preston North End on a free transfer. He signed a one-year deal with the club, including an option of a further year. However, after an unsuccessful spell, Smith had his contracted mutually terminated on 10 April 2012, just two months before his original deal was due to expire.[14]

Portland Timbers

On 25 April 2012, Smith joined Major League Soccer club Portland Timbers.[15] Smith made his debut three days later on 28 April 2012 in the Timbers 2–0 defeat to the Montreal Impact.[16]

Smith announced on his Twitter page that he wouldn't be returning to Portland for the 2013 MLS season.[17] The club confirmed this on 6 December 2012.[18]

Return to Rangers

Following his release from Portland Timbers, Smith was linked with a return move to St Mirren and Kilmarnock, however after training with Rangers a move was agreed on 1 June 2013.[19] The move was confirmed by the club when he signed a two-year contract[20] and was registered to play for Rangers on 1 September 2013.[21] On 3 May Rangers players made history by becoming the first Rangers side in 115 years to go an entire league season unbeaten after a 1–1 draw with Dunfermline during which they clinched the Scottish League One championship. Smith made his 100th appearance for Rangers (over both spells) in November 2014 in a 1–1 draw at Ibrox against Alloa Athletic. In his 101st appearance against Hearts he got sent off in the 21st-minute leading to a 2–0 loss.

Kilmarnock

On 2 July 2015, Smith signed for Kilmarnock, having been released by Rangers.[22] At the start of the 2016–17 season, Smith was given the captaincy of Kilmarnock.[23] Smith was released by Kilmarnock in May 2018, at the end of his contract.[24]

International career

Smith played twice for the Scotland under-21 football team. He was due to be selected for the Scotland squad for 2008 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying matches against France and Ukraine in October 2006, but a thigh injury prevented this.[25] He also played for the Scotland B team in their 0–0 draw with the Republic of Ireland B team on 14 November 2006, at the Dalymount Park, Dublin.

Career statistics
As of 24 May 2018[26][27]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals AppsGoals
Rangers 2004–05 Scottish Premier League 4000000040
2005–06 Scottish Premier League180001010200
2006–07 Scottish Premier League171002050241
2007–08 Scottish Premier League0020000020
2008–09 Scottish Premier League5010000060
2009–10 Scottish Premier League120203010180
Total 561506070741
Norwich City 2010–11 EFL Championship 700000–70
Aberdeen (loan) 2010–11 Scottish Premier League 1604000–200
Preston North End 2011–12 EFL League One 130001010150
Portland Timbers 2012 Major League Soccer 21010––220
Rangers 2013–14 Scottish League One 132110020163
2014–15 Scottish Championship 130103031201
Total 262213051364
Kilmarnock 2015–16 Scottish Premiership 222302000272
2016–17 Scottish Premiership 2611030–301
2017–18 Scottish Premiership 3000001[28]030
Total 513405010613
Career total 19061611501412358

Honours

Club
Rangers

References
  1. "Scotland U21 Player Steven Smith Details".
  2. Scottish Football League (October 2004). The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2004/05. CRE8. ISBN 0-9548556-0-4.
  3. "Rangers give Smith new deal". Sky Sports. 27 February 2006.
  4. "Top youth Smith praises McLeish". BBC Sport website. 5 May 2006.
  5. "Gers keeper agrees deal" Sky Sports. 27 October 2006.
  6. "Rangers 2–0 Dunfermline Athletic". BBC Sport. 11 November 2006.
  7. "Smith's targeting Rangers return". BBC Sport. 20 November 2007.
  8. "Rangers 1–1 Partick Thistle" BBC Sport. 19 March 2008.
  9. "Czech and Ranger In Cardiff City Trials" Vital Football (25 March 2009)
  10. "Rangers 3–1 Motherwell" BBC Sport. 11 April 2009.
  11. Campbell, Andy (21 March 2010). "St Mirren 0–1 Rangers". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  12. "Norwich swoop for Rangers' Smith". BBC Sport. 2 June 2010.
  13. "Aberdeen sign Steven Smith on loan from Norwich". BBC Sport. 31 January 2011. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
  14. "Preston Sign Left Back Smith". Preston North End FC. 12 August 2011. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  15. "Timbers sign Scottish defender Steven Smith". Portland Timbers Official Website. 25 April 2012. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012.
  16. "MONTREAL IMPACT VS. PORTLAND TIMBERS 2 – 0". Soccerway. 28 April 2012.
  17. "Twitter: Portland Timbers and Steven Smith Part Ways". StumpTown Footy. 3 December 2012.
  18. "Timbers re-sign three, exercise options on eight players". Portland Timbers Official Website. 6 December 2012. Archived from the original on 9 January 2013.
  19. "Rangers double up as Ally McCoist fills defensive void". Scottish Daily Express. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  20. "Rangers: Steven Smith permanent return possibility". Scotsman. 1 June 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  21. "Rangers: Defender Stevie Smith agrees to rejoin Ibrox club". BBC Sport. 18 June 2013. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  22. Bhardwaj, Raman (2 July 2015). "Kilmarnock sign Steven Smith after defender's release from Rangers". STV Sport. Retrieved 1 August 2015.
  23. Wren, David (21 July 2016). "Kilmarnock manager Lee Clark: "Steven Smith is a leader in the changing room...choosing him as captain was a simple choice"". Daily Record. Retrieved 8 August 2016.
  24. "Player updates: Departures after 2017/18 season". Kilmarnock FC. 24 May 2018. Retrieved 24 May 2018.
  25. "Smith denied chance for Scotland". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 October 2006.
  26. Steven Smith at Soccerbase
  27. Steven Smith at Soccerway
  28. Includes one appearance for Kilmarnock under-20s in the Scottish Challenge Cup
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