Lewis Macleod (footballer)

Lewis Macleod (born 16 June 1994) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish League One club Rangers.^[1] Macleod began playing for Newmains Hammers before being scouted by Livingston.^[2] He joined Rangers as a ten-year-old and progressed through the youth system at Murray Park, before eventually signing a five-year contract in September 2012.

Career

Rangers

2012-13 season

Macleod was previously an un-used substituted during the 2011–12 season, but eventually broke into the first team during the 2012–13 season. After a Scottish Football Association (SFA) restriction that prevented Rangers from registering new players was put into place, many opportunities were created for the club's youngsters.^[3]

On 29 July 2012, alongside fellow youngster Barrie McKay, Macleod made his first start for Rangers in the Challenge Cup against Brechin City. The game finished 2–1 after extra-time, with Macleod's corner providing the winning goal – a 102nd minute header by Lee McCulloch.^[4]

Macleod then made his league debut against Peterhead on 11 August 2012, as Rangers began life in the Scottish Third Division. The game finished 2–2, and Macleod was substituted in the 82nd minute.^[5]

He signed a five-year contract extension on 13 September. He said: "I wouldn't want to sign anywhere else, so to be here at Rangers is great. I've been here since I was 10, so it's been a long time and a big part of my life. Playing week in and week out in front of almost 50,000 fans has been great."^[6][7][8][9]

On 24 September 2012, Macleod scored his first goal for the club in a 4–1 victory over Montrose, while also claiming the man of the match award.^[10][11] The victory put Rangers back to second in the table, and^[12] speaking of Macleod and Robbie Crawford's impact on the game, McCoist told the club's official website: "It’s really important that the kids get an opportunity. We have to get out of the division, we must win, but if we are going to get a chance to rebuild now is the perfect time to blood the youngsters. These kids have, so far, been fabulous. We don’t want to put too much pressure on them but they are certainly exciting me and they are great to work with".^[13]

On 3 November 2012, Macleod assisted Barrie McKay's second goal in a 7–0 win over Alloa Athletic in the third round of the Scottish Cup.^[14] It was just a day later when the Daily Record quoted Macleod as saying that his previous under-19 matches were tougher than the Scottish Third Division.^[15] Macleod was named the Scottish Football League's Young Player of the Month for November.^[16]

Although a knee injury suffered in a game against Montrose kept him sidelined for just over three months,^[17] he still managed to return in time for Rangers' final game of the season against Berwick, and went on to win the Rangers Young Player of the Year award.

2013-14 season

Macleod's pre-season got off to a perfect start, as he scored both goals in Rangers' 2–0 victory over Brora.^[18] He came off the bench to score his third pre-season goal in a 1–0 over Bristol City.^[19]

Macleod's fine form continued into Rangers' league campaign, as he found the net in three of their first four games. His first came in a 3–0 victory away to Stranraer,^[20] while he added to his tally in emphatic wins over Airdrieonians (6–0)^[21] and East Fife (5–0).^[22] He then netted an overhead kick in a 2-0 victory over Ayr United.^[23]

International career

Macleod has represented the Scotland national team from under-16 to under-21. He started all three of Scotland's matches in the 2009 Victory Shield,^[24] a tournament between the under-16 teams of the Home Nations. By April 2012 he had progressed to the under-18 squad and appeared in a pair of friendlies against Serbia, where he managed to find the net in a 4–1 win.^[25] After making five appearances for the under-19 squad in September and October 2012, Macleod received his first under-21 call-up at the start of November, ahead of a game against Portugal.^[26] On 14 October 2013, Macleod scored his first goal for the under-21s in a 2–1 loss to Georgia.^[27]

Personal life

Macleod attended Newmains Primary School in Wishaw. His father Kenny played amateur football for Wishaw. He is the cousin of David McEwan – a goalkeeper who currently plays for Larkhall Thistle.^[2]

In an interview with the Daily Record, Macleod said that he drives a Vauxhall Corsa because the insurance is cheaper and it doesn't make him look like a flash kid trying to show off. He said: “My parents always taught me that I wasn’t to forget where I came from. I know some young players can let the game get to them and act flash but I don’t want to be like that. I’m not particularly keen on getting recognised by people in the street and I did buy the car because the insurance was cheaper. My incentive to do well is the buzz you get from playing in front of 40,000-plus at Ibrox every second week.”^[28]

Career statistics

Statistics accurate as of 31 January 2014 at 21:24.^[29]

Honours

Club

Rangers

• Scottish Third Division (1): 2013

Individual

• Scottish Football League Young Player of the Month: November 2012
• Rangers Young Player of the Year: 2012-13

References

External links

• Official Rangers Profile
• Official Scotland Profile
• Lewis Macleod career stats at Soccerbase