Cammy Bell

"Cameron Bell" redirects here. For the New Zealand rugby league coach, see Cameron Bell (rugby league).
Cammy Bell
Personal information
Full nameCameron Bell[1]
Date of birth18 September 1986
Place of birthDumfries, Scotland
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Playing positionGoalkeeper
Club information
Current team
Rangers
Number1
Youth career
Annan Athletic
?–2002Queen of the South
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps†(Gls)†
2002–2013Kilmarnock115(0)
2007→ Montrose (loan)4(0)
2008→ Queen of the South (loan)15(0)
2013–Rangers41(0)
National team‡
2010–Scotland1(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:34, 14 May 2014 (UTC).

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 30 November 2010

Cameron "Cammy" Bell (born 18 September 1986) is a Scottish professional football player. Bell is a goalkeeper and currently plays for Scottish Championship club Rangers. He has represented Scotland once, in 2010.

Club career

Early years

Bell was born in Dumfries and was on the books of local club Queen of the South as a youngster and was also part of the youth set up at Annan Athletic. Bell moved from Queens to Kilmarnock in 2002.[2] In 2006, he extended his contract with Kilmarnock although he had not yet appeared for the first team.[3]

In the 2006–07 season Bell had a spell on loan at Montrose, getting a taste of first team football.[4][5] Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies said in November 2007 that he was prepared to allow Bell to go out on loan once he had fully recovered from a cruciate injury.[6] Bell recalled his cruciate injury affected his career after Kilmarnock's physio believes he might never play for the club.[7]

In July 2008, Bell was loaned out by Kilmarnock to his home town club Queen of the South,[8] having been in the Queens squad as a trialist for their two previous pre-season matches. Bell made his debut for Queens on 17 August 2008 at Palmerston Park in a 2–0 win against Partick Thistle.[9] Bell retained his place to make his European debut in the second leg of the UEFA Cup second qualification round game against FC Nordsjaelland on 26 August. After the match against Livingston, which Queen of the South win 6-1 on 4 October 2008, Bell was in an incident moments later in a Dumfries bar, which results him an broken jaw, but managed to recover two weeks later.[10] The last of his 15 league games for QoS, a 2–1 home defeat by Dunfermline Athletic, was on 13 December 2008. Bell soon suffered an back-injury after damaging discs in his back.[11] After this, he returned to Kilmarnock.[12][13] During his loan spell at both clubs, Bell says he injured his knee that he will never play football again.[14]

Kilmarnock

2009/10 season

Bell made his debut for Kilmarnock in the final game of the 2008/09 season, a 2-1 win over Motherwell. After the season, He signed a new one-year contract with the club, as his contract was set to expire this summer.[15] After signing a new deal with Kilmarnock, manager Jim Jefferies hinted that Bell faced a battle in order to become a first choice goalkeeper.[16] Bell played in the first two games of the 2009–10 season for Kilmarnock in place of injured first choice goalkeeper Alan Combe.[17] Mark Brown was brought in on loan to cover for Combe,[18] but Brown returned to parent club Celtic in January 2010. Bell then became the established first choice goalkeeper for Kilmarnock as Combe was injured for the most of the 2009/10 season. A month after Brown returned to Celtic, Bell was in the squad when Kilmarnock beat Celtic 1-0 on 2 February 2010.[19] After the match, newly manager Jimmy Calderwood praised Bell, describing his performance as 'fabulous'.[20] At the end of the 2009-10 season, because he signed a new contract last season, his contract was extended automatically as he had made the number of starts stipulated in the contract.[15]

2010/11 season

Bell remained first pick for the start of the 2010–11 season, with his performances attracting attention from Scotland manager Craig Levein. In November 2010, manager Mixu Paatelainen said he had started negotiating a new contract for Bell.[21] After two months negotiations, Bell signed a new long-term deal.[22] Upon signing a contract, manager Paatelainen believes Bell should stay and remain as a first choice goalkeeper, rather move on, believing his career will greatly decline, having been linked with Aberdeen and Rangers.[23] Soon after, Bell was left out of the line-up unexpectedly over dispute on a new deal, which appeared to be rejected by Bell and also lead a fallout between him and Paatelainen.[24] The following month, the club soon make their last chance effort to keep Bell - with a new contract.[25] Bell would then return to the line-up and would keep his place until the end of the season. Bell, himself, says he made amend with Paatelainen - right before he left and is prepared to sign a new deal.[26] Despite the amend, Bell revealed that Paatelainen put him through by costing his place in the international team and wasn't treated fairly at the club.[27]

2011/12 season

At the end of the season, clubs including St. Mirren[28] and AaB were linked with signing Bell.[29] Eventually, under new manager Kenny Shiels, who previously Paatelainen's assistant manager, Shiels persuaded him to stay at the club by turning down a big money offer to South Africa[30] Shiels persuasion's led Bell to sign a new deal, which kept him until 2013.[31] Shortly signing a contract, Bell says he reject big money move because it wasn't finance and Shiels was delighted with his [Bell] decision.[32]

The next season, Bell played the first ten games before suffering an elbow injury in mid-October, which left him out for about a month during the international campaign with Scotland.[33] While sidelined, Bell went to a specialist to have injections to end his injury.[34] On 18 March, Bell played in the 2012 Scottish League Cup Final which Kilmarnock won after beating Celtic 1-0. Bell was awarded the Man of the Match award in the 2012 League Cup Final, pulling off several stunning saves.[35] In a wake of Liam Kelly's father, who died of a heart attack when he saw his son attending the match, Bell thoughts says "I would rather take a defeat than someone’s dad dying. You think about your own dad when that happens.”.[36] A week after the victorious final, Bell was linked with a move to West Ham United after a stunning season at Kilmarnock[37]

2012/13 season

Early in the 2012–13 season, Bell suffered a wrist injury which will keep him out for ten weeks during a 2-1 loss against Motherwell.[38] Following a surgery, Bell says he will be back in six weeks, instead of his original recovery.[39] After two months on the sidelines, Bell made a return to training from injury.[40] Week after making a recovery, Bell was in goal on 28 October 2012 when Kilmarnock made historic win at Celtic Park against Celtic. The victory was Kilmarnock's first win in the East End of Glasgow for 57 years.[41] However, on his next appearance, Bell received a straight red card when he fouled an opposition player in the penalty box, which Inverness beat Kilmarnock 2-1. After the match, the club immediately appeal for his sending off, but his appeal was held, making him available for the next game.[42] His transfer speculation continued until newspaper claims that Bell signed a five-year deal with Kilmarnock.[43] However, in an unexpected turn of an event, Bell revealed he yet signed a contract with the club, having also revealed that he had talks to a number of different clubs.[44] Bell was also linked with Ipswich Town, which was claimed by Shiels. However, it results a rift between Shiels and Mick McCarthy.[45] Following Antonio Reguero pre-contract signing for Kilmarnock, confirming that Bell will leave Kilmarnock.

In a match against Hibernian on 5 May 2013, which the supporter died during the match, causing the match to be abandoned, Bell says:[46]

“ Obviously, Liam’s dad still plays on our minds and we’ll never forget that because it was an important day in our lives, but also a sad day, It does put football into perspective. They made the right call at the end of the day to respect the family and the ones who were around the situation. The whole of Kilmarnock Football Club’s thoughts go out to the family of the fan. It’s a sad day for the club. It was obviously a terrible situation with what happened, especially being so close to the pitch. To be honest, you couldn’t pay attention to the game when someone was trying to get their life saved.[46] ”

Rangers

On 7 April 2013, Bell signed a pre-contract with Rangers.[47] Throughout the 2012–13 season, Bell had been linked with Rangers several times as his contract was due to expire at the end of the season.[48][49] Bell, told Rangers official website that "It's been a long time coming for me. It's great just to be here at a club of this size and a club I always followed as a youngster. It's just a dream come true really." [50] Upon the move, former goalkeeper Andy Goram said he believes Bell can be a success at the club and that it was also a perfect opportunity for him.[51] In January 2014, manager Ally McCoist says he doesn't have regrets signing players in the summer, as Bell is among them.[52]

2013/14 season

Bell made his Rangers debut on 31 August 2013, against East Fife playing as a trialist as the club's new signings couldn't be registered until 1 September 2013, due to their transfer embargo.[53] Bell has since established himself as a first choice goalkeeper. On 3 May Rangers players made history by becoming the first Rangers side in 115 years to go an entire league season unbeaten after a 1-1 draw with Dunfermline during which they clinched the Scottish League One championship.

2014/15 season

Bell suffered a shoulder injury in August 2014.[54] The injury kept him out of action for the rest of the year and prompted Rangers to sign another goalkeeper, Lee Robinson.[54]

Career statistics

As of 24 February 2014[55][56]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Kilmarnock 2008–09 1000000010
2009–10 210300000240
2010–11 310103000350
2011–12 320303000380
2012–13 300300000330
Total 115010060001310
Montrose (loan) 2006–07 4000000040
Queen of the South (loan) 2008–09 150001020180
Rangers 2013–14 310500030390
2014–15 2000001030
Total 330500040420
Career Total 167015070601950

International

Scotland national team
YearAppsGoals
201010
201100
201200
201300
201400
Total10

International career

Bell was first called up to the senior Scotland squad on 4 October 2010 for the European Championship qualifiers against Czech Republic and Spain after Matt Gilks dropped out through injury.[57] He made his Scotland debut, as a substitute replacing Craig Gordon, against Faroe Islands on 16 November 2010 in a friendly at Pittodrie Stadium.[58] He injured his arm during October 2011 in Spain after he saved from a David Goodwillie shot in training and later complained about pain. A scan showed he had damaged tendons. Bell was again called up to the Scotland squad for a friendly against Luxembourg in November 2012, a just reward for his excellent performances with Kilmarnock.

Personal Life

In 2014, Bell became a first time father after his partner gave birth to a baby girl. As a result of becoming a father, Bell missed a match against Forfar Athletic.[59]

Honours

Club

Kilmarnock
Rangers

Personal awards

References

  1. ↑ The Bell's Scottish Football Review 2005.06. Cre8 Publishing. 2005. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-95485-561-1.
  2. ↑ "Keeper Bell makes Queens return". BBC Sport. 26 July 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2012. The Dumfries-born 21-year-old began his career with Queens before moving to Rugby Park in 2002.
  3. ↑ "Bell extends contract with Killie". BBC Sport. 24 January 2006. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  4. ↑ "THIRD DIVISION. | Europe Intelligence Wire (February, 2007)". Accessmylibrary.com. 24 February 2007. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  5. ↑ Montrose 0–2 Queen's Park, BBC Sport.
  6. ↑ "Jeff Keeps His Rascle". The Daily Record. Dailyrecord.co.uk. 21 November 2007. Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  7. ↑ "Goalkeeper Cammy Bell: Doctors reckoned I'd never play again...now I've joined my Rangers heroes". Daily Record. 23 May 2013. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  8. ↑ "Keeper Bell makes Queens return". BBC Sport. 26 July 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2012. Queen of the South have taken goalkeeper Cameron Bell on loan from Kilmarnock until 31 December.
  9. ↑ "QoS 2-0 Partick Thistle". BBC Sports. 17 August 2008. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  10. ↑ "Queens keeper fit for Airdrie clash". Daily Record. 17 October 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  11. ↑ "Soccer Shorts - Old Firmgiven Their Tv Times". Daily Record. 19 December 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  12. ↑ "Killie in contract talks with duo". BBC Sport. 15 January 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2012. Midfielder Jamie Adams [...] and goalkeeper Cameron Bell have returned to Ayrshire having completed loan spells with Queen of the South.
  13. ↑ "Keeper Cammy Bell wants Kilmarnock start". Daily Record. 31 December 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  14. ↑ "I want to make a name for myself at Kilmarnock after injury hell, says Cammy Bell". Daily Record. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Bell stays with Killie". 26 June 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  16. ↑ "Kilmarnock set test for keeper Cammy Bell". Daily Record. 26 June 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  17. ↑ "Bell out to impress Killie boss". BBC Sport. 29 October 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  18. ↑ "Kilmarnock sign Celtic keeper Brown as cover for injured Combe". The Scotsman. 1 September 2009. Retrieved 15 May 2012.
  19. ↑ "SPL: Kilmarnock 1 Celtic 0". Daily Record. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  20. ↑ "Jimmy Calderwood relishes Kilmarnock's win over Celtic". BBC Sport. 3 February 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  21. ↑ "Bell opens Killie talks". Sky Sports. 23 November 2010. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  22. ↑ "Cammy Bell set to extend contract at Killie as Paatelainen closes in on Swedish defender Berntsson". Daily Record. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  23. ↑ "Cammy Bell will remain a No1 if he stays at Kilmarnock, says boss Mixu Paatelainen". Daily Record. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  24. ↑ "Contract row puts Cammy Bell's future in doubt". Daily Express. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  25. ↑ "Gossip: Kilmarnock's last ditch offer to Cammy Bell". Coventry Telegraph. 21 April 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  26. ↑ "I'm ready to commit my future to Kilmarnock, says goalie Cammy Bell". Daily Record. 1 May 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  27. ↑ "Kilmarnock no.1 Cammy Bell: I'm ready for new start at Rugby Park after being dropped by former boss". Daily Record. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  28. ↑ "St Mirren eye swoop for Kilmarnock goalkeeper Cammy Bell". Daily Record. 8 June 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  29. ↑ "Thursday's Scottish gossip". BBC Sport. 9 June 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  30. ↑ Law, Gareth (14 June 2011). "I could have cashed in by moving but Kenny sold me on Killie". London: The Sun. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  31. ↑ "Patrick Ada and Danny Racchi sign for Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 21 June 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  32. ↑ "Cammy Bell explains decision to stay at Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 23 June 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  33. ↑ "Killie keeper Cammy Bell facing another week on the sidelines with elbow injury". Daily Record. 18 October 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  34. ↑ "Kilmarnock keeper Cammy Bell getting ober injury with sugar injections". Daily Record. 3 December 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  35. ↑ "Celtic 0-1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport (BBC). 18 March 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2012.
  36. ↑ "Killie star’s torment after Hampden tragedy". The Scottish Sun. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  37. ↑ "Kilmarnock No.1 Cammy Bell could be set for West Ham switch after stunning season". Daily Record. 7 April 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  38. ↑ "Kilmarnock keeper Cammy Bell hopes for quick return". BBC Sport (BBC). 24 August 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2012.
  39. ↑ "Kilmarnock keeper Cammy Bell hopes for quick return". BBC Sport. 24 August 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  40. ↑ "Tuesday's Scottish gossip". BBC Sport. 16 October 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  41. ↑ "Celtic 0 - 2 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. 28 October 2012. Retrieved 10 April 2013.
  42. ↑ "Kilmarnock appeal against Cammy Bell red card upheld". BBC Sport. 8 November 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  43. ↑ "Kilmarnock keeper Cammy Bell to snub Rangers move and sign five-year deal at Rugby Park". Daily Record. 2 January 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  44. ↑ "Kilmarnock: Cammy Bell yet to sign with Rangers or anyone else". BBC Sport. 12 February 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  45. ↑ "Kenny Shiels tells Mick McCarthy that he's no liar about Cammy Bell". Daily Record. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 "Fans' lives must be put first, says Kilmarnock keeper Bell after supporter dies in hospital following suspected heart attack". London: Daily Mail. 6 May 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013.
  47. ↑ "Kilmarnock keeper Cammy Bell agrees Rangers move". BBC Sport. 7 April 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  48. ↑ "Cammy Bell remains a target for Ally McCoist as Rangers look to freshen up for next season". Daily Recprd. 15 February 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  49. ↑ "Rangers boss Ally McCoist keen to sign Kilmarnock keeper Cammy Bell". Daily Record. 13 February 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2013.
  50. ↑ "Rangers sign goalkeeper Cammy Bell from Kilmarnock for next season". Sky Sports. 22 May 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  51. ↑ "Andy Goram backs Cammy Bell to be a Rangers star.. if he can handle heat of being Ibrox No.1". Daily Record. 1 May 2013. Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  52. ↑ "Rangers: Ally McCoist backs players who refused pay cut". BBC Sport. 17 January 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.
  53. ↑ "Rangers 5-0 East Fife". BBC Sport. 31 August 2013. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
  54. ↑ 54.0 54.1 Rangers: Goalkeeper Lee Robinson agrees Ibrox deal, BBC Sport
  55. ↑ Cammy Bell career statistics at Soccerbase
  56. ↑ Cammy Bell profile at Soccerway
  57. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (8 October 2010). "BBC Sport - Czech Republic 1-0 Scotland". BBC Sport (BBC). Retrieved 2010-11-16.
  58. ↑ "Doonhamer internationalists" www.qosfc.com 25 May 2011
  59. ↑ "Baby girl joy for Gers keeper Bell". Evening Times. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 12 February 2014.

External links