Robbie Muirhead

Robbie Muirhead
Personal information
Date of birth (1996-03-08) 8 March 1996 (age 27)
Place of birth Irvine, Scotland[1]
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
 Greenock Morton
Number 9
Youth career
0000–2013 Kilmarnock
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2013–2015 Kilmarnock 42 (4)
2015–2016 Dundee United 15 (2)
2015–2016 → Partick Thistle (loan) 8 (2)
2016–2017 Heart of Midlothian 18 (2)
2017–2018 Milton Keynes Dons 49 (5)
2018–2019 Dunfermline Athletic 12 (0)
2019– Greenock Morton 105 (29)
International career‡
2011 Scotland U15 2 (0)
2011–2012 Scotland U16 3 (0)
2012 Scotland U17 7 (6)
2013 Scotland U18 1 (0)
2014 Scotland U19 5 (3)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:45, 4 February 2024 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 15:15, 15 March 2018 (UTC)

Robbie Muirhead (born 8 March 1996) is a Scottish professional footballer, who plays as a forward for Greenock Morton.

Muirhead began his career with Kilmarnock before joining Dundee United in February 2015. After a loan spell with Partick Thistle between September 2015 to January 2016, Muirhead was released by Dundee United in April 2016, before signing for Heart of Midlothian. In 2017, he moved to Milton Keynes Dons, then spent a season at Dunfermline Athletic.

He has represented Scotland at all levels up to U19 level.

Early life

Born in Irvine, Scotland, Muirhead was known for playing football and golf locally, and was mentioned on several occasions in his local newspaper. Muirhead is also the first and still the only boy to win both the West of Scotland Cup and Scottish Cup when representing Annanhill Primary School during year 6 and year 7 when he was Captain of the schools team.[2][3]

Club career

Kilmarnock

Muirhead joined Kilmarnock academy before joining the first team.[4] He made his professional league debut in the last game of the season, coming on as a substitute in the second half for Cillian Sheridan, in a 3–1 loss against St Mirren, which was Kenny Shiels's last game as Kilmarnock Manager.[5]

Muirhead's playing time in the 2013–14 season soon increased with 21 appearances and scoring twice against Partick Thistle.[6] and St Johnstone.[7] His first team chance attracted interests from English clubs.[8]

In the first half of the 2014–15 season, Muirhead added two more goals to his career tally, against Motherwell[9] and St Mirren.[10] His two goals to his tally career led Daily Record naming Muirhead as the next successor to Kris Boyd.[11]

Dundee United

Muirhead left Kilmarnock to sign for Dundee United on the transfer deadline day for a fee of £150,000 plus add-ons, as well as signing a three-year deal.[12] The sale of Muirhead caused the Kilmarnock manager Allan Johnston to resign in protest.[13] Celtic was also keen to sign Muirhead, having signed Dundee United's Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven.[14] Muirhead made his Dundee United debut, coming on as a substitute for Henri Anier, in a 3–2 loss against Kilmarnock.[15] He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win against Aberdeen on 2 May.[16] He followed this up three days later with another goal, in a 2–1 defeat against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[17]

On 1 September 2015, Muirhead was loaned to fellow Scottish Premiership club Partick Thistle on an initial three-month deal.[18] Muirhead scored his first and second goal, including a 30-yard strike, for Thistle in a 5–2 win on 28 November against his former club Kilmarnock.[19] He returned to Dundee United on 4 January 2016 following the expiry of his loan period.[20] Muirhead did not play for United after his return, and was released from his contract in April 2016.[21]

Heart of Midlothian

Muirhead signed a one-year deal with Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian in June 2016.[22] On 30 November 2016, Muirhead scored twice in a 2–0 win over Rangers.[23]

Milton Keynes Dons

On 19 January 2017, Muirhead signed a two-and-a-half-year deal to join English League One side Milton Keynes Dons for an undisclosed fee.[24]

He made his debut coming on as a substitute in a 5–3 home league win over Northampton Town on 21 January 2017. On 1 April 2017, Muirhead scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 home league win over Gillingham.[25] On 13 March 2018, Muirhead scored twice in a 3–2 home win against Rotherham United.[26]

Dunfermline Athletic

On 31 August 2018, Muirhead joined Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic for an undisclosed fee, signing a one-year deal.[27] He left in May 2019.[28]

Greenock Morton

On 12 June 2019, Muirhead signed for Greenock Morton on a one-year contract.[29] He scored his first goal for the club in a 0–5 victory against Annan Athletic in the Scottish League Cup group stages on 23 July 2019.[30]

Muirhead would have a slow start to life at Morton, scoring very rarely for the club. He would be offered another contract by manager David Hopkin at the early end of the season brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

His second season in white and blue was also fairly quiet, scoring 4 goals for the season, 3 of these coming in both legs of the Championship play-off final against Airdrieonians, including a stunning 18-yard volley at Cappielow.[31] Muirhead was promptly offered another year-long contract following this.

Muirhead started slowly again in season 2021/2022, however his form took a slight turn for the better under Manager Dougie Imrie, scoring 4 times in the second half of the season, including against Motherwell[32] and his former club Partick Thistle.[33] Muirhead would sign a 2 year contract[34] in the summer of 2022.

Muirhead would finally regain his form in the 2022/2023 season, scoring his first goal of the season against Ayr United in a 2-1 home defeat,[35] however would go on to hit the 10 goal mark in a season for the first time in his career. Muirhead was also awarded Championship Player of the Month for September/October.[36] He would go on to finish the season with a total of 13 goals, scoring on the last day of the season in a 2-1 away win over Cove Rangers, a goal which would relegate the Aberdeenshire side to league 1.[37]

International career

Muirhead has previously represented Scotland at U16, U17, U18 and U19 international levels.[38][39] While playing for Scotland U19, Muirhead scored a goal that was nominated for a "goal of the season" award by UEFA.[40] On 13 March 2018, Muirhead was called up to the Scotland U21 national team for the first time.[41]

Career statistics

As of 7 June 2021[42][43]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Kilmarnock 2012–13 Scottish Premier League 1 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 0
2013–14 Scottish Premiership 21 2 0 0 0 0 — 21 2
2014–15 Scottish Premiership 20 2 1 0 1 0 — 22 2
Total 42 4 1 0 1 0 0 0 44 4
Dundee United 2014–15 Scottish Premiership 13 2 0 0 0 0 — 13 2
2015–16 Scottish Premiership 3 0 0 0 0 0 — 3 0
Total 16 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 2
Partick Thistle (loan) 2015–16 Scottish Premiership 8 2 0 0 0 0 — 8 2
Heart of Midlothian 2016–17 Scottish Premiership 18 2 0 0 1 0 0 0 19 2
Milton Keynes Dons 2016–17 League One 19 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 2
2017–18 League One 30 3 1 0 2 0 4[a] 0 37 3
2018–19 League Two 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0
Total 49 5 1 0 3 0 4 0 57 5
Dunfermline Athletic 2018–19 Scottish Championship 12 0 1 0 0 0 1[b] 0 14 0
Greenock Morton 2019–20 Scottish Championship 13 0 2 0 3 1 1[b] 0 19 1
2020–21 Scottish Championship 13 1 3 1 4 0 4 3 24 5
2021–22 Scottish Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 26 1 5 1 7 1 5 3 43 6
Career total 171 16 8 1 12 2 9 3 201 22
  1. ^ Appearances in the EFL Trophy
  2. ^ a b Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup

References

  1. ^ "Robbie Muirhead player profile". Kilmarnock F.C. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 17 August 2014.{cite web}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ "East Ayrshire pupils retain Scottish Cup". Daily Record. 3 July 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  3. ^ "Schools are just champion". Daily Record. 26 June 2008. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  4. ^ "Kilmarnock FC: Killie kid Robbie Muirhead a Scotland scoring sensation". Daily Record. 21 September 2012. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  5. ^ "Kilmarnock 1 – 3 St Mirren". BBC Sport. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  6. ^ "Partick Thistle 1–1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 18 January 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Kilmarnock 1–2 St Johnstone". BBC Sport. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  8. ^ "Transfer Talk, 29 January: Moves at Hearts, Lee Wallace on the way out at Rangers while Celtic make a second bid for Leigh Griffiths". Daily Record. 29 January 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  9. ^ "Kilmarnock 2 Motherwell 0: Josh Magennis insists Killie are on the verge of a goals fest". Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  10. ^ "Kilmarnock 2–1 St Mirren". BBC Sport. 13 September 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  11. ^ "Record FC Kilmarnock: Killie have found a successor to goal king Kris Boyd in young star Robbie Muirhead". Daily Record. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  12. ^ "MUIRHEAD BECOMES A TANGERINE". Dundee United F.C. 3 February 2015. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.{cite web}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  13. ^ "Allan Johnston: Kilmarnock manager relieved of duties". BBC Sport. 6 February 2015. Retrieved 6 February 2015.
  14. ^ "Celtic make move for teenage Kilmarnock forward Robbie Muirhead". STV Sport. STV. 2 February 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  15. ^ "Kilmarnock 3 – 2 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.
  16. ^ "Dundee United 1 – 0 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 2 May 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  17. ^ "Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 – 1 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 5 May 2015. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
  18. ^ "Robbie Muirhead: Partick Thistle sign Dundee United forward on loan". BBC Sport. 1 September 2015. Retrieved 1 September 2015.
  19. ^ Sutherland, Jonathan (28 November 2015). "Kilmarnock 2–5 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  20. ^ "Robbie Muirhead back at Dundee Utd after Partick Thistle loan". BBC Sport. 4 January 2016. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
  21. ^ "Robbie Muirhead: Striker parts company with Dundee United". BBC Sport. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 30 April 2016.
  22. ^ McLaughlin, Brian (13 June 2016). "Robbie Muirhead: Hearts sign forward on one-year deal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 June 2016.
  23. ^ "Heart of Midlothian 2–0 Rangers". BBC Sport. 30 November 2016. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  24. ^ "Muirhead makes MK1 move". Milton Keynes Dons Official Site. 19 January 2017. Retrieved 19 January 2017.
  25. ^ "Report: MK Dons 3–2 Gillingham". Milton Keynes Dons Official Site. 1 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  26. ^ "Milton Keynes Dons 3-2 Rotherham United". BBC Sport. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 13 March 2018.
  27. ^ "DAFC sign Robbie Muirhead". Dunfermline Athletic. 31 August 2018. Retrieved 31 August 2018.
  28. ^ "Player update". Dunfermline Athletic FC. 6 May 2019. Retrieved 6 May 2019.
  29. ^ Thomas, Adam (12 June 2019). "Muirhead: 'Morton boss will get the best out of me'". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 21 July 2019.
  30. ^ "Annan Athletic v Greenock Morton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  31. ^ "MacPherson hails Morton 'miracle'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  32. ^ "Motherwell beat Morton after extra time". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  33. ^ "Thistle promotion bid dented by Morton". BBC Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  34. ^ "Robbie Muirhead Pens Contract Extension". Greenock Morton FC. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  35. ^ "Championship leaders Ayr extend unbeaten start". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  36. ^ "Muirhead nets Championship award | SPFL". spfl.co.uk. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
  37. ^ "Cove relegated as Morton miss out on play-off spot". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 May 2023.
  38. ^ "Robbie Muirhead". scottishfa.co.uk. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 19 January 2014.{cite web}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  39. ^ "Q&A Robbie Muirhead". Kilmarnock F.C. 15 October 2014. Archived from the original on 8 March 2015. Retrieved 8 March 2015.{cite web}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  40. ^ "Scots teenager up against Messi, Ronaldo & Neymar for best goal". BBC Sport. 27 July 2015. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  41. ^ "Scotland U21s call on Chelsea's Harvey St Clair, Anthony Ralston returns". BBC Sport. 13 March 2018. Retrieved 15 March 2018.
  42. ^ Robbie Muirhead at Soccerbase
  43. ^ Robbie Muirhead at Soccerway