Steven Smith (footballer)

Steven Smith (born 30 August 1985) is a Scottish footballer who currently plays for Rangers.

A left back, Smith made an early breakthrough with Scottish side Rangers, and was capped by Scotland B in 2006, aged 21. A series of injuries hampered his career with club and country, before he moved to England with Norwich City, aged 24, on a Bosman transfer.

Club career

Rangers

Born in Bellshill, Smith signed a professional contract with Rangers on 1 June 2002.^[2] He made his Rangers debut against Heart of Midlothian on 28 November 2004 as a half-time substitute for Maurice Ross. He played a further three times that season but had to wait until the winter of 2005 to establish himself in the team. He made twenty top team appearances that season including his UEFA Champions League debut against Villarreal CF on 22 February 2006. He signed a two-year contract extension less than a week later, on 27 February 2006.^[3] Smith went on to win the Scottish Premier League young player of the month for April 2006 which cemented his place as first choice left-back at the club.^[4]

The then new manager Paul Le Guen kept faith in Smith and despite Rangers' poor results and performances, he started the 2006–07 season in impressive form. This was rewarded with a further contract extension which he signed on 27 October 2006.^[5] Smith scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Dunfermline Athletic on 11 November 2006 during a game where he was named the Man of the Match.^[6]

During the winter of 2006, Smith was troubled by a recurring pelvic injury which would eventually sideline him for over a year. His last match before being injured was an Old Firm match on 17 December. Almost a year later, 20 November 2007, it was reported that Smith was finally on the injury comeback and after a successful hernia operation, he was soon to be fit again.^[7] He returned to the first team, appearing as an unused substitute in a Scottish Cup match against Partick Thistle in March 2008, over fifteen months after his last appearance^[8] and he made his first start back in the replay of that match the following month.

Smith suffered further injuries in the summer of 2008 and he was ruled out of action until the November 2008. After recovering, he found it difficult to make inroads into the first team. He joined Cardiff City on trial on 25 March 2009,^[9] returning to Rangers without having played a first-team game. When injuries and suspensions meant seven first team players were ruled out of the Rangers team, Smith was given his first start in over a year on 11 April 2009, in a league match against Motherwell. He played 73 minutes in the unfamiliar position of left midfield but did well enough to keep his place for following matches.^[10]

In season 2009–10 Smith won his first trophy as a player when Rangers defeated St. Mirren in the Scottish League Cup Final.

Norwich City

On 2 June 2010, Smith signed for Norwich City on a Bosman transfer and was handed number 26.^[11] However, an achilles injury picked up in pre season has prevented Smith making his Norwich City debut. He made his return to training during the September international break. He made his first appearance in the squad for the fixture against Hull on 25 September, as an unused substitute. Smith made his Norwich debut in the 4–3 victory over Leicester City, as a second half sub for the 2 goal hero Wes Hoolahan on 28 September. He made his first start in the 3–0 away victory over Bristol City due to the injury to Adam Drury in the warm up on 2 October 2010. Smith is expected to be given an extended run in the team due to Adam Drury's groin injury. Unfortunately, Smith picked up a hip injury in the 2–2 draw against Burnley, and was sidelined beyond the new year. Norwich boss Paul Lambert announced that Smith was looking to leave Norwich as he was finding it hard to settle in the area, and wanted to move back up to Scotland.

Aberdeen

On 31 January 2011, Smith signed for Aberdeen on loan for the remainder of the 2010–11 season.^[12] Aberdeen manager Craig Brown said he would like to offer Smith a contract for the 2011–12 season, but due to increased wage demands (following Norwich City's promotion) Aberdeen look to have been priced out of a move.^{[citation needed]}

Preston North End

On 12 August 2011 Smith joined Preston North End on a free transfer. He signed a one year deal for the club, with an option of a further year. Smith had his contracted mutually terminated on 10 April 2012, Two months before his original deal expired.^[13]

Portland Timbers

On 25 April 2012, Smith joined Major League Soccer club Portland Timbers.^[14] Smith made his debut 3 days later on 28 April 2012 in the Timbers 2–0 defeat to Montreal Impact^[15]

Smith announced on his Twitter page that he wouldn't be returning to Portland for the 2013 MLS season.^[16] The club confirmed this on 6 December 2012.^[17]

Return to Rangers

Following his release from Portland Timbers, Smith was linked with a return move to St. Mirren and Kilmarnock.^[18] The move was soon agreed to make a return to Rangers on 1 June 2013.^[19] The move was confirmed by the club when he signed a two-year contract and will be registered to play for Rangers on 1st Sept 2013.^[20]

International career

He made his debut for the Scotland under-21 football team^[21] in their 3–1 defeat to France under-21 team and was also in line for his first Scotland appearances in the double header of 2008 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying matches against France and Ukraine in October 2006 but he was ruled out with a thigh injury.^[22]

He also played for the Scotland B team in their 0–0 draw with the Republic of Ireland B team on 14 November 2006, at the Dalymount Park, Dublin.

Career statistics

As of 02 January 2014 at 14:18

Honours

Rangers

• Scottish Premier League: 2009–10
• Scottish League Cup: 2009-10

References

External links

• Steven Smith career stats at Soccerbase
• Official website profile