Paul McGowan (footballer)

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Paul McGowan

McGowan playing for Hamilton Academical
Personal information
Date of birth (1987-10-07) 7 October 1987
Place of birthBellshill, Scotland
Height1.71 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in)
Playing positionCentral Midfielder
Club information
Current clubSt. Mirren
Number10
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2005–2011Celtic6(1)
2006–2007→ Greenock Morton (loan)36(11)
2009→ Hamilton Academical (loan)14(1)
2010–2011→ St. Mirren (loan)33(1)
2011–St. Mirren86(15)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 January 2014.
† Appearances (Goals).

Paul McGowan (born 7 October 1987) is a Scottish footballer who plays for Scottish Premiership club St. Mirren. McGowan is a central midfielder.

McGowan started his career with Scottish Premier League club Celtic, he made his debut in 2007. However, he failed to break into the first team and was sent out on loan several times. McGowan spent the 2006–07 season with Second Division side Morton, where he won the Second Division title and was also named SFL young player of the month for January 2007. McGowan then spent the second half of the 2008–09 season with Hamilton Academical in the SPL.

He moved on loan to another SPL side, St. Mirren, for the 2010–11 season. After this Celtic released him from his contract and he signed with St. Mirren permanently. In December 2011 he won the SPL player of the month award.

Career

Celtic

McGowan made his Celtic debut in the 5–0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in September 2007, where he came on as a substitute.[1] He scored his first senior goal for Celtic on 7 August 2008 in a pre-season friendly against Manchester City at Celtic Park. He had the chance to score his second senior goal to win the game for Celtic but his shot hit the crossbar and the game ended 1–1. McGowan made his Champions League debut against Villarreal on 10 December 2008, as a 75th minute substitute for Aiden McGeady. Celtic won the match 2–0 but finished bottom of their group.[2]

In the 2009–10 season, McGowan soon became part in the first team, under manager Tony Mowbray.[3] On 17 December 2009, just over a year to the day of his European debut, McGowan made his Europa League debut in a 3–3 draw away to Rapid Vienna. He made an impact in the 91st minute by scoring his first competitive goal for the Hoops to complete a comeback from 3–0 down to draw 3–3.[4] On 24 January 2010, McGowan made an impressive display when he provided double assist for Marc-Antoine Fortuné and Paddy McCourt, as Celtic made a comeback from 1–0 down to 4–1 up, against St. Johnstone.[5]

Towards the end of the 2009–10 season, on 29 April 2010, he signed a two-year contract with the club.[6] Having signed a new deal, McGowan expected to make more appearance in the first team in near future.[7]

Greenock Morton

McGowan was loaned out to Greenock Morton for the 2006–07 season.[8] He played as a striker for Morton and scored a total of 16 goals in 44 competitive matches. During his loan spell at Morton, McGowan then won the Scottish Football League player of the month award for January 2007.[9] He was the club's top scorer and received a League winners medal as Morton won the Scottish Second Division. He was chosen in the 'Team of the year' in the Second Division[10] and 3rd place in the 'Player of the Year' award. Morton failed to land the player in the summer transfer window when their bid – approaching a six-figure sum – was rejected.[11]

Hamilton Academical

McGowan was loaned out to SPL side Hamilton Academical at the beginning of the January 2009 transfer window,[12] and started his first game with an assist for Chris Swailes in the 1–0 win over Ross County in the Scottish Cup. His first goal for the club came on 21 February 2009, in a 2–1 win over Falkirk, scoring from 10 yards out.[13] At the end of the 2008–09 season, McGowan loan spell with Celtic had came to an end.[14]

St. Mirren

In July 2010, McGowan was again sent out on loan, this time to St. Mirren.[15] He made his league debut for the club in the opening game of the 2010–11 season, a 1–1 draw against Dundee United on 14 August 2010. He scored his first competitive goal for St. Mirren in a League Cup match against Ross County. Eventually, St. Mirren would win in the penalty-shootout after a tie 2–2 in the regular time and kept 3–3 after extra-time.[16] McGowan wasn't a good start when he received a straight red card for incident in off-the-ball at Killie's Manuel Pascali, which was spotted by the referee and then taunt the opposition fan. After the match, McGowan apologised for his action,[17] while Lennon might consider fining him, once reviewing the video evidence.[18] After missing one game, he made his return from suspension.[19] On his return, on 25 September 2010, he scored his first goal, in a 2–1 loss against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. Following a 0–0 draw with Peterhead, which resulted going to replay in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup, McGowan scored his first hat-trick of his career, in a 6–1 win. After the match, McGowan says his hat-trick convinced the club's groundsman to get the match ball,[20] while Lennon believes McGowan should learn from Lionel Messi and also describe him as a "threat", whose rise above the difficult treatment.[21] Throughout the season, he played a total of 39 matches and scored 6 goals in all competitions for St Mirren. Danny Lennon converted McGowan from a striker to a central attacking midfielder with the role of playmaker during this period.

On 6 June 2011, McGowan signed a two-year deal with St Mirren, having had a successful loan spell.[22] McGowan's first game, after signing for the club on a permanent basis, came on the opening game of the season, in a 0–0 draw against Dunfermline Athletic. In a 2–0 loss against his former club, on 28 August 2011, McGowan made a mistake when he capitalised on a misplaced pass, allowing Gary Hooper to score, but despite this, Lennon would praised him, while McGowan, himself, says he will take full responsibility for his performance.[23] McGowan's first goal, after signing for the club on a permanent basis, came on 24 September 2011, when he scored a brace, in a 3–0 victory against Kilmarnock.[24] His next brace was soon followed up, on 22 October 2011, in a 3–2 loss against Hibernian.[25] In November 2011, McGowan attracted interest from English clubs, believed to be Crystal Palace and Wigan.[26] He then won the Scottish Premier League player of the month award for December 2011.[27] McGowan revealed he was surprised earning the Scottish Premier League player of the month award is the first Saints player to win the award since Andy Dorman in April 2009.[28] McGowan gained plaudits for his ability to retain possession of the ball. Throughout the season, he played a total of 45 matches and scored 8 goals in all competitions for St Mirren.

After scoring his two goal of the 2012–13 season, one was in the first round of the Scottish League Cup, in a 5–1 win over Ayr United and provided assist during a match; and another in a 3–1 loss against Kilmarnock on 22 September 2012, McGowan suffered a shoulder injury early in the 2012–13 season that required surgery.[29][30] While on the sideline, captain Jim Goodwin says the club miss McGowan and was the main player for the club.[31] McGowan returned to the first team in mid-December[32] and went on to score a penalty against Celtic in the Scottish League Cup semi-final.[33] Ahead of the Scottish League Cup final, on 27 February 2013, McGowan scored and provided assist for Graham Carey, who scored a wonder strike, in a 2–0 win.[34] St Mirren qualified for the final with a sensational 3–2 win, booking a date with Hearts – scheduled to take place on St Patrick's Day 17 March 2013. Paul McGowan won man of the match in the buddies 3–2 victory over hearts in the league cup final on 17 March as the club ended its 26-year wait for silverware.[35] After the match, told BBC Scotland that the match was unbelievable and very proud.[36] A few week later after the final, McGowan scored a penalty, in a 1–1 draw against Celtic by scoring from a penalty.[37] Towards the end of the 2012–13 season, McGowan says his future is uncertain, having attracted interests from English clubs, with one believed to be Birmingham City[38] after Manager Lennon revealed he had yet sorted out his future at the club by signing a new deal.[39] Eventually, on 3 June 2013, it was announced that McGowan had re-signed for St Mirren on a free transfer, just two days after his previous contract had expired.[40] After signing a new contract, he explains his stay at St.Mirren, citing family reason.[41]

Honours

Greenock Morton
  • Scottish Second Division: 1
2006–07
St Mirren
2012–13
Individual
  • SFL Young Player of the Month: 1
January 2007[9]
  • SPL Player of the Month: 1
December 2011[27]

References

  1. ↑ "Celtic 5–0 Inverness CT". BBC Sport. 15 September 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  2. ↑ "Celtic 1–1 Manchester City". Daily Record. 7 August 2008. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  3. ↑ "Paul McGowan: I've been told I'm part of Celtic first team squad – I want to keep it that way". Daily Record. 21 March 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  4. ↑ "Rapid Vienna 3 – 3 Celtic". BBC Sport. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2009. 
  5. ↑ "St Johnstone 1 – 4 Celtic". BBC Sport. 24 January 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  6. ↑ "Paul McGowan signs new two-year contract with Celtic". Goal.com. 29 April 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  7. ↑ "McGowan up to the task". Sky Sports. 20 May 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  8. ↑ "McGowan heads to Morton on loan". BBC Sport. 27 July 2006. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "McGowan is voted top young player". BBC Sport. 16 February 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  10. ↑ "Division Two team of year". BBC Sport. 23 April 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  11. ↑ "Celtic reject £80,000 for McGowan". BBC Sport. 12 August 2007. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  12. ↑ "Accies sign Old Firm pair on loan". BBC Sport. 7 January 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  13. ↑ "Falkirk 1–2 Hamilton". BBC Sport. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  14. ↑ "Five axed at Accies as Canning and Thomas land new deals". Daily Record. 26 May 2009. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  15. ↑ "St Mirren take Celtic striker Paul McGowan on loan". BBC Sport. 27 July 2010. Retrieved 27 July 2010. 
  16. ↑ "Ross C 3–3 St Mirren (4–3 pen)". BBC Sport. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  17. ↑ "McGowan sorry for gesture". Sky Sports. 14 September 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  18. ↑ "Lennon to review dismissal". Sky Sports. 10 September 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  19. ↑ "Fitness boost for St Mirren as McQuade and McGowan return to action". Daily Record. 22 September 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  20. ↑ "I had to convince groundsman I bagged a hat-trick to get match ball, says St Mirren hero Paul McGowan". Daily Record. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  21. ↑ "St Mirren gaffer Danny Lennon: Paul McGowan should learn from Lionel Messi". Daily Record. 26 January 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  22. ↑ "Saints seal double swoop". Sky Sports. 7 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  23. ↑ "Buddies boss hails effort". Sky Sports. 28 August 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  24. ↑ "SPL: St Mirren 3 Kilmarnock 0". Daily Record. 25 September 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  25. ↑ "SPL: St Mirren 2 Hibs 3". Daily Record. 23 October 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  26. ↑ "Monday's Scottish gossip". BBC Sport. 7 November 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 "Paul McGowan named SPL player of the month". STV. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  28. ↑ "Player of the month award proves I was right to leave Celtic, says St Mirren's Paul McGowan". Daily Record. 12 January 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  29. ↑ "St Mirren's Paul McGowan facing three-month absence". BBC Sport (BBC). 2 October 2012. Retrieved 2 October 2012. 
  30. ↑ "St Mirren's Paul McGowan facing three months out with injury". Sky Sports. 3 October 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  31. ↑ "St Mirren captain Jim Goodwin says the club can cope without injured Paul McGowan". Sky Sports. 15 October 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  32. ↑ "Celts are still right at home". The Scottish Sun. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  33. ↑ "St Mirren 3 Celtic 2: Buddies shock Lennon's Bhoys in Hampden thriller". Daily Record. 27 January 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  34. ↑ "St Mirren 2–0 Hearts". BBC Sport. 27 February 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  35. ↑ "St Mirren 3 Hearts 2: Buddies bounce back from a goal behind to win the League Cup Final". Daily Record. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  36. ↑ "Man of the match Paul McGowan 'so proud' as St Mirren end 26-year wait for a trophy". Daily Record. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  37. ↑ "St Mirren 1–1 Celtic". BBC Sport. 31 March 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  38. ↑ "Paul McGowan remains unsure on St Mirren future". BBC Sport. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  39. ↑ "Danny Lennon asks Paul McGowan to confirm intentions". BBC Sport. 18 May 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 
  40. ↑ "St Mirren agree new one-year deal with Paul McGowan". BBC Sport (BBC). 3 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013. 
  41. ↑ "Family ties keep St Mirren star Paul McGowan in Paisley". Daily Record. 4 June 2013. Retrieved 19 June 2013. 

External links

St. Mirren F.C. – current squad
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