Stewart Murdoch

Stewart Murdoch
Personal information
Date of birth (1990-05-09) 9 May 1990
Place of birth Aberdeen, Scotland
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Dundee United
Number 8
Youth career
000?–2007 Falkirk
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2013 Falkirk 71 (6)
2008 → Berwick Rangers (loan) 4 (0)
2010 → East Fife (loan) 14 (1)
2010 → East Fife (loan) 10 (0)
2013–2015 Fleetwood Town 49 (0)
2014 → Northampton Town (loan) 8 (1)
2015–2016 Ross County 29 (2)
2016– Dundee United 4 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:48, 27 August 2016 (UTC).


Stewart Murdoch (born 9 May 1990) is professional footballer playing as a midfielder for Dundee United. Murdoch came through the youth academy at Falkirk, and over a six-year period played 88 games in all competitions for The Bairns, in which the majority of these came in the Scottish First Division. He also spent time on loan in the Scottish Second Division playing for Berwick Rangers in season 2007–08 and for East Fife in seasons 2009–10 and 2010–11. Murdoch played for Fleetwood Town in English Football League One and English Football League Two in seasons 2013–14 and 2014–2015. He also spent time on loan in the English League Two playing for Northampton Town in season 2014–15. Murdoch then played for Ross County in the Scottish Premiership in season 2015-16.

Career

Falkirk

Murdoch came through the youth academy at Falkirk and remained there until 2007, when he signed his first professional contract and was included in the club's first team photo for the 2007–08 season.[1] Ahead of the 2009–10 season, Murdoch signed a one-year contract with the club.[2] Murdoch made his Falkirk first team debut on 8 November 2009, in a 3–3 home draw against Celtic, coming on as an 87th-minute substitute for Ryan Flynn. Murdoch made two further substitute appearances before going out on loan.

Loan spells

Murdoch made his Berwick Rangers first team debut in a 4–0 loss to Ayr United on 2 January 2008 after joining on a month-long loan from Falkirk.[3] He made four appearances scoring no goals during this loan period.

Murdoch made his East Fife first team debut in a 1–1 draw away at Stenhousemuir on 27 February 2010 after joining on loan from Falkirk until the end of the 2009–10 season.[4] He scored his only goal in 14 appearances this season in a 3–1 victory over Arbroath on 16 March 2010. He was sent on loan to East Fife again at the start of the 2010–11 season and played 10 games scoring no goals.

Return to Falkirk

Murdoch returned to Falkirk and made his first start for them in a 1–0 away defeat against Partick Thistle in a 2010–11 Scottish Cup fourth round replay on 18 January 2011.[5] He scored his first goal for the club in the home 2–0 victory against Cowdenbeath on 26 February 2011.

In 2011–12 season, Murdoch was shown the first red card of his career in a 1–1 draw away at Livingston on 10 September 2011 and after the match, the club decided not to appeal his sending off.[6] Murdoch scored the winning penalty in a 5–4 shootout victory after a 2–2 draw in the quarter finals of the League Cup away at Dundee United on 25 October 2011.[7] Murdoch was then part of the Falkirk squad that won the 2011–12 Scottish Challenge Cup. Murdoch played in a number of the earlier rounds, however he had to sit out the 1–0 final victory over Hamilton on 1 April 2012 due to injury.[8] Due to his injury, Manager Steven Pressley said Murdoch's injury is "disappointing" with his season over and said that he has been a terrific influence on the squad.[9] During the season, Pressley praised Murdoch for his good displays and nicknamed him "Lazarus".[10]

In the 2012–13 season, Murdoch was then chosen to be the Falkirk penalty taker, scoring penalties in the 2–1 defeat to Livingston on 2 September 2012, in the 1–1 draw with Airdrie United on 22 September 2012 and in the 2–0 victory over Cowdenbeath on 15 December 2012. Murdoch then scored his first goal in open play in nearly 2 years when he scored in the 4–3 victory over Airdrie United on 26 January 2013 and followed that up on 2 February 2013 in the fifth round of the Scottish Cup with a goal in the 4–1 victory over Forfar Athletic. Murdoch then scored a 90th-minute header to secure Falkirk a 1–1 league draw against Raith Rovers on 5 March 2013. At the end of the 2012–13 season, Murdoch was offered a new deal by Falkirk[11] and he was then awarded the Falkirk Herald Starshot prize.[12] But on 14 June 2013, Murdoch turned down the chance to stay in Scotland, moving instead to English outfit Fleetwood Town.[13]

Fleetwood Town

On 14 June 2013, Fleetwood Town confirmed the signing of Murdoch on a two-year deal.[14] Ahead of his debut, Murdoch said he was aiming to win a first team place.[15]

In the opening game of the season, on 3 August 2013, against Dagenham & Redbridge, Murdoch made his debut, coming on as a 70th-minute substitute for Steven Schumacher, in a 3–1 victory.[16] Murdoch was promoted to League One with Fleetwood in his first season with the club, after they won the League Two play offs, defeating Burton Albion 1–0 in the final at Wembley Stadium on 26 May 2014. Murdoch came on as an 86th-minute substitute for Iain Hume in the final.[17] In his first season at Fleetwood, Murdoch made forty-seven appearances for the club in all competitions.

Murdoch's second season at the club was not as good as his first season with his first team opportunities limited mostly to appearances on the substitutes bench.[18] As a result, Murdoch joined Northampton Town on loan on 30 October 2014, with the loan due to end on 3 January 2015.[19] He made his debut on 1 November 2014 in a 2–0 victory over AFC Wimbledon.[20] Murdoch scored his first goal in English football and his only goal in 8 appearances for Northampton in a 3–2 defeat against Plymouth Argyle on 13 December 2014.[21] By January, Murdoch's loan spell with Northampton came to an end and he returned to his parent club.[22]

Murdoch made his first appearance for Fleetwood since returning from his loan spell with Northampton Town on 10 February 2015, in a 1–0 win over Barnsley[23] and made nine more appearances for the club. At the end of the 2014–15 season, Murdoch was released by Fleetwood on 6 May 2015, after making 61 appearances in all competitions and scoring no goals.[24]

Ross County

On 17 June 2015, Ross County confirmed the signing of Murdoch on a two-year deal.[25] He made his Ross County debut against Celtic on 1 August 2015, in a 2–0 defeat.[26] Murdoch then scored his first Ross County goal, scoring the second goal in a 3-1 win against Hamilton Academical on 12 December 2015.[27] Murdoch won the 2015–16 Scottish League Cup with Ross County who defeated Hibernian in the final 2–1 on 13 March 2016, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for Ian McShane.[28] On 24 April 2016, he scored his second Ross County goal scoring the equaliser in a 1–1 draw with Celtic.[29] At the end of the 2015–16 season, Murdoch was released by Ross County on 13 June 2016, after making 34 appearances in all competitions and scoring 2 goals.[30]

Dundee United

On 14 June 2016, Murdoch signed for Scottish Championship club Dundee United on an initial one-year deal.[31]

Career statistics

As of 15 July 2016[32][33][34]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other[35] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Falkirk 2007–08 0000000000
2008–09 0000000000
2009–10 3000000030
2010–11 131100000141
2011–12 260204040360
2012–13 325412020406
Total 746716060937
Berwick Rangers (loan) 2007–08 4000000040
East Fife (loan) 2009–10 141000000141
East Fife (loan) 2010–11 10000103[36]0140
Fleetwood Town 2013–14 380301060480
2014–15 110001010130
Total 490302070610
Northampton Town (loan) 2014–15 81200000101
Ross County 2015–16 292104000342
Dundee United 2016–17 0000100010
Career total 1881013114016023111

Honours

Falkirk
Fleetwood Town
Ross County

References

  1. ↑ "Falkirk FC 2007–08 team photo". Falkirk Herald. 2 August 2007. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  2. ↑ "Falkirk hand new deals to promising trio". Daily Record. 29 June 2009. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  3. ↑ "Division 2 Preview". Daily Record. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  4. ↑ "East Fife loan for Murdoch". STV Sport. 28 February 2010. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  5. ↑ "Murdoch makes a start in Bairns first team". Falkirk Herald. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  6. ↑ "UNAPPEALING". Falkirk Herald. 15 September 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  7. ↑ "Dundee Utd 2–2 Falkirk". BBC Sport. BBC. 25 October 2011. Retrieved 29 July 2012.
  8. ↑ "Season is over for Falkirk midfielder Murdoch". Falkirk Herald. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  9. ↑ "Pressley hails his 'soldier' Stewart Murdoch". Falkirk Herald. 23 March 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  10. ↑ "Boss hails 'Lazarus' Murdoch". Falkirk Herald. 23 December 2011. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  11. ↑ "Bairns release five of first-team pool". Falkirk Herald. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  12. ↑ "Positive signs that Michael McGovern will remain at Falkirk". Falkirk Herald. 7 June 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  13. ↑ "Midfielder Murdoch swaps Falkirk for Fleetwood". Falkirk Herald. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  14. ↑ "Stewart Murdoch: Fleetwood Town sign Falkirk midfielder". BBC Sport. 14 June 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  15. ↑ "Murdoch's first team bid". Blackpool Gazette. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  16. ↑ "Fleetwood 3–1 Dag and Red". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
  17. ↑ "Sky Bet League Two play-off final: Fleetwood beat Burton 1–0 to earn promotion". Sky Sports News. 26 May 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  18. ↑ "Fleetwood Town boss still sees room for improvements". Blackpool Gazette. 25 February 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  19. ↑ "STEWART MURDOCH JOINS NORTHAMPTON TOWN ON LOAN". Northampton Town F.C. 30 October 2014. Archived from the original on 6 December 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  20. ↑ "Northampton Town 2 – 0 Wimbledon". BBC Sport. 1 November 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  21. ↑ "Northampton Town 2–3 Plymouth Argyle". BBC Sport. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  22. ↑ "DANIEL ALFEI RETURNS TO SWANSEA CITY". Northampton Town F.C. 2 January 2015. Archived from the original on 2 January 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  23. ↑ "Barnsley 1 – 2 Fleetwood Town". BBC Sport. 10 February 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  24. ↑ "Fleetwood Town squad update". Fleetwood Town F.C. 6 May 2015. Archived from the original on 7 May 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  25. ↑ "Ross County: Stewart Murdoch signs after Fleetwood exit". BBC Sport. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2015.
  26. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (1 August 2015). "Celtic 2–0 Ross County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  27. ↑ Crawford, Kenny (12 December 2015). "Hamilton Academical 1–3 Ross County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  28. 1 2 Wilson, Richard (13 March 2016). "Scottish League Cup Final: Hibernian 1 Ross County 2". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  29. ↑ English, Tom (24 April 2016). "Celtic 1–1 Ross County". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  30. ↑ Healey, Derek (13 June 2016). "Stewart Murdoch granted Ross County release ahead of Dundee United move". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  31. ↑ "Stewart Murdoch makes move to Dundee United on one-year deal". Sky Sports. 14 June 2016. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
  32. ↑ Stewart Murdoch career statistics at Soccerbase
  33. ↑ Stewart Murdoch career statistics at Soccerbase
  34. ↑ Stewart Murdoch profile at Soccerway
  35. ↑ Includes matches played in Scottish Challenge Cup and EFL Trophy.
  36. ↑ Includes 1 Challenge Cup match not recorded on Soccerbase or Soccerway. "East Fife 4–3 Brechin City (aet)". BBC Sport. 24 July 2010. Retrieved 15 July 2016.
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