Ryan Stevenson

Ryan Stevenson

Stevenson playing for Hearts
Personal information
Full name	Ryan Cairns Stevenson
Date of birth	(1984-08-24) 24 August 1984
Place of birth	Irvine, Scotland
Height	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Playing position	Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current club	Heart of Midlothian
Number	7
Youth career
2001–2002	Chelsea
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2002–2007	St. Johnstone	72	(5)
2006	→ Ayr United (loan)	4	(2)
2007–2010	Ayr United	81	(25)
2010–2012	Heart of Midlothian	61	(9)
2012	Ipswich Town	11	(1)
2012–	Heart of Midlothian	44	(8)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 28 October 2012. † Appearances (Goals).

Ryan Cairns Stevenson (born 24 August 1984) is a Scottish football player who plays for Hearts in the Scottish Premiership. He began his career at Chelsea and has also played for St. Johnstone, Ayr United and Ipswich Town. Stevenson is primarily a midfielder, but has also been used as a striker.

Youth career

Stevenson was born in Irvine, Ayrshire,^[1] and was a boyhood Ayr United fan.^[2] He was a pupil at Drongan Primary School and Kyle Academy in Ayr^{[citation needed]} before leaving to join Chelsea's youth academy staying in the same apartment block as John Terry.^[2]

Career

St Johnstone

Having failed to break into the Chelsea first team he was given a free transfer in 2002 and signed for St. Johnstone. Stevenson made 72 league appearances for Saints, before eventually falling out of favour during 2006.

Ayr United

Stevenson initially joined Ayr United on a 28-day loan in October 2006.^[3] This loan was later extended until the end of the year.^[4] He then joined the club on a permanent basis during January 2007, for a five-figure sum.^[5] Just two weeks later, Stevenson scored an equaliser for Ayr United against his former club, St. Johnstone, in the third round of the Scottish Cup in a 2–1 defeat.^[6] Stevenson scored the goal which promoted Ayr United to the First Division in 2009, in a 1–0 win over Airdrie United in the second leg of the First Division Play-off Final at New Broomfield.

Hearts

Stevenson signed for Hearts on 1 February 2010 for an undisclosed five-figure sum,^[7] with Rocky Visconte going the other way on loan.^[8] He made his debut for Hearts on 10 February playing the full 90 minutes in a 2–0 defeat to Celtic at Celtic Park.^[9] He went on to score his first competitive goal for Hearts against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in a Scottish Premier League fixture on 18 September 2010.^[10] In the absence of Kevin Kyle, Stevenson has predominantly been used as a makeshift striker^[11] and has scored notable goals, such as in wins over both halves of the Old Firm and two against Edinburgh rivals Hibernian. In June 2011 Stevenson signed a one year contract extension to extend his stay at the club.^[12]

On 22 December 2011 with Hearts in financial difficulty and having problems paying wages Stevenson requested his contract be terminated;^[13] this was refused and Stevenson advised the club he would not play or train again until his salary was paid in full.^[14] Stevenson cited stress on his unborn baby as one of the reasons behind his decision.^[15] Despite being paid Stevenson did not return to training several clubs including ^[16] Ayr United, Crawley Town^[17] and Dundee United^[18] were interested however Hearts were seeking £100,000 for their exiled player.^[19] Hearts pledged to open a disciplinary hearing if he did not leave during the transfer window.^[20]

Ipswich Town

On 28 January 2012, Championship side Ipswich Town announced that he was set to join them in a deal worth £50,000 which was concluded on 30 January. He was given the number 16 shirt,^[21] and had signed an 18 month contract.^[22]

Stevenson scored his first goal for Ipswich on 28 April 2012 against Doncaster on the final day of the 2011–12 Football League Championship with a long-range effort which was later voted as Ipswich Town fans Goal of the Year.^[23]

Hearts Return

On 31 August 2012, after just eight months at Ipswich Town, Hearts re-signed Stevenson on a three-year contract,^[24] despite interest from Motherwell.^[25] Stevenson scored both Hearts goals in the 2013 Scottish League Cup Final, but the team lost 3–2 to St. Mirren.

International call-up

On 6 November 2011, Stevenson was called up to the Scotland squad for the first time^[26] as a late inclusion for their friendly against Cyprus.^[27]

Career statistics

As of 30 October 2013^[1][28][29]

Notes

References

External links

• Ryan Stevenson career stats at Soccerbase
• Transfermarkt Profile