Born: 28th October 1956
Birthplace: Airdrie, Lanarkshire
Died:
Date Signed: 7th November 1989.
Signed From: Heart of Midlothian
Position: Forward (Player/Manager)
Bio: Experienced striker who arrived at Firhill as Player/Manager in November 1989 from Heart of Midlothian. His early career seen the Caldervale High School pupil sign for his hometown club Airdrieonians from Airdrie Boys Club in 1974. He made his first team debut the in December 1974 v Dundee. He soon became a first team regular at Broomfield, finishing the 1st Division's top goalscorer in 1979-80. He was first linked with a move to Firhill around this time with Thistle reportlay offering £100,000 for him. In May 1982 he finally moved on his destination was London with West Ham United paying £200,000 for his services. After only one season in London he returned north and signed for Rangers before signing for Hearts in 1984. After his short unsucessfull stint as Player manager at Thistle, he returnred to playing with Premier League Dunfermline Athletic. In the close season of 1990 he returned to Tynecastle as a coach at Hearts stepping up to manager in 1993-94. He has since had spells coaching at Motherwell, Hamilton Accies and Aberdeen. He was also managed Hamilton Accies (1996-99), St Johnstone (1999-01) and Berwick Rangers (2004-05).
His son NIcky has played for Aberdeen, Peterhead and Queen of the South.
Key Dates:
- 11th June 1974 Signs Professional for Airdrieonians for Airdrie Boys Club
- 28th December 1974 League Debut (Airdrieonians) v Dundee (A) 1-0, 1st Division
- 1979-80 1st Division Top Goalscorer, Airdrieonians
- 3rd June 1980 Represents (and Scores a Hat-Trick) for Scotland 'Semi-Professional' v The Netherlands in Veenendaal Stadium, Zeist 3-0
- 4th June 1980 Represents Scotland 'Semi-Professinal' v England in Veenendaal Stadium, Zeist, 4-2
- 7th June 1980 Represnts Scotland 'Semi-Professional' v Italy in Veenendaal Stadium, Zeist, 0-0
- 1982 Scottish SPFA Player of the Year
- May 1982 Signs for West Ham United for £200,000 from Airdrieonians
- c. March 1983 Signs for Rangers for £150,000 from West Ham United
- 21st May 1983 Scottish Cup Runner-Up, Rangers (Aberdeen 0-1 aet)
- 25th March 1984 League Cup Winner, Rangers (v Celtic 3-2)
- 10th May 1986 Scottish Cup Runner-Up, Heart of Midlothian (v Aberdeen 0-3)
- 7th November 1989 Appointed Player/Manager of Partick Thistle
- 9th September 1989 Partick Thistle Debut v Hamilton Academical (H) 4-1, 1st Division
- 26th December 1989 Last Partick Thistle Appearance v Clydebank (H) 1-1, 1st Division
- 2nd March 1990 Sacked as Player/Manager of Partick Thistle
- 29th March 1990 Signs for Dunfermline Athletic on a Free Transfer
- 21st April 1990 Last League Appearance (Dunfermline Athletic) v St Mirren (A) 2-1, Premier League
- February 1997 2nd Division Manager of the Month, Hamilton Accies
- March 1997 2nd Division Manager of the Month, Hamilton Accies
- April 1997 2nd Division Manager of the Month, Hamilton Accies
- 1996-97 2nd Division Manager of the Year, Hamilton Accies
- September 1997 1st Division Manager of the Month, Hamilton Accies
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