Barry Robson
Robson in 2010
Personal information
Full name Barry Gordon George Robson[1]
Date of birth (1978-11-07) 7 November 1978
Place of birth Inverurie, Scotland[2][3]
Height 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Aberdeen (manager)
Youth career
1995–1997 Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1997–2003 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 135 (17)
1999–2000 → Forfar Athletic (loan) 25 (9)
2003–2008 Dundee United 145 (32)
2008–2010 Celtic 42 (4)
2010–2012 Middlesbrough 87 (17)
2012 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 17 (3)
2013 Sheffield United 17 (2)
2013–2016 Aberdeen 60 (4)
Total 528 (88)
International career
2005–2007 Scotland B 2 (0)
2007–2012 Scotland 17 (0)
Managerial career
2022 Aberdeen (interim)
2023– Aberdeen
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Bart Gordon George Robson (born 7 November 1978) is a Scottish football coach and former player, who is currently the manager of Scottish Premiership club Aberdeen. Robson played as a midfielder for several clubs in Scotland, England and Canada and represented Scotland internationally.

Robson began his career as a youth player with Rangers before spells with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dundee United and finally Celtic in his native Scotland. A move to England followed, where he spent two and a half years with Middlesbrough. Robson then moved to Canada to play for MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC before returning to England after one season to sign for Sheffield United. Robson returned to Scotland, joining Aberdeen in summer 2013. He retired from professional football in 2016 and took up a coaching position with Aberdeen. After a run of good results in his second stint as their interim manager, Robson became Aberdeen manager in 2023.

Robson appeared 17 times for Scotland between 2007 and 2012.

Club career

Early career

Robson began his professional career with Rangers, but failed to break through to the first team.[2][4] During his time at Ibrox he was given the nickname 'Baby Oleg' by teammates who perceived a resemblance to the club's Ukrainian defender Oleh Kuznetsov.[4][5] In October 1997, he signed for Inverness Caledonian Thistle,[6] and although not always a first team regular in his early Inverness career, helped them win promotion from the Second Division in 1999.[7] Robson spent most of the 1999–2000 season on loan at Forfar Athletic,[8][2] but thereafter returned to establish himself in the Inverness line-up.

Dundee United

Dundee United submitted a bid for Robson in May 2003[9] and he signed ten days later for a fee of between £50,000 and £100,000.[10] Despite being sent off on his United début, he became a regular in the team. Robson missed only two matches throughout the 2004–05 season, finishing as United's second top scorer with nine goals, and signed a new three-year contract at the end of the season.[11] Robson scored the goal that ensured United's survival in the SPL in the final game of the season against his old club Inverness CT.[12] He also featured in the season's Scottish Cup Final which Dundee United lost 1–0 to Celtic.[13]

Robson started the 2006–07 season as United captain[14] and scored against Falkirk on the opening day of the season. He made his 100th league appearance for United in the game against St Mirren in late August, scoring twice in a 3–1 win but also being sent off late in the match. In February 2007, Robson signed a new contract until 2011,[15] with his first career hat-trick following in March in a 4–0 away win against Hearts.[16] With 11 goals by mid-March, Robson finished the season as the league's top-scoring midfielder, four ahead of Rangers' Charlie Adam.

The following season, Robson managed an even better ratio, scoring 12 from 24 games in all competitions at the point of leaving United. With 11 league goals, Robson was second top scorer in the league, one ahead of colleague Noel Hunt. Six of his goals came in January 2008, including a second hat-trick against Hearts in less than a year.[17]

Celtic

On the final morning of the January 2008 transfer window, Robson was in negotiations to move to Celtic after they had a "seven figure" bid, plus Celtic player Jim O'Brien on loan until the end of the season, accepted by United.[18] He signed for Celtic that evening.[2]

Robson made his Celtic debut on 10 February against Aberdeen, scoring with his first touch of the ball, a free-kick into the bottom corner of the goal.[19] He scored his second goal for Celtic on his Champions League debut against Barcelona. An assist from Aiden McGeady allowed Robson to loop a header over Víctor Valdés, to put Celtic ahead,[3][20] though they eventually lost 3–2. On 27 April, Robson scored his first Old Firm goal,[21] converting a penalty which was the winning goal.[22] On 10 August, Robson again scored from a penalty kick, this time against St Mirren, the opening goal of Celtic's league campaign for the 2008–09 season, in a 1–0 victory for Celtic. Robson's final game for Celtic was against Old Firm rivals Rangers.[23]

Middlesbrough

Robson left Celtic in January 2010 and joined his former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough along with teammates Willo Flood, Scott McDonald and Chris Killen.[24] He was sent-off on his home debut against Bristol City.[25] He captained Middlesbrough against Peterborough United standing in for injured Gary O'Neil, and scored his first goal for the club in the seventh minute.[26] His form continued as he scored two penalties against QPR on 27 February at the Riverside.[27] He scored again in the Tyne-Tees derby against Newcastle on 13 March.[28] Three days later he scored against Derby County at Pride Park.

Robson scored the quickest ever goal at the Riverside on 8 September 2010 against Reading, netting after just 24 seconds in a game which Middlesbrough went on to win 3–1.[29] On 2 October 2010, Robson scored a penalty in a 2–2 draw with Portsmouth, in a match where he was also sent off in, in the 86-minute.[30] He scored Middlesbrough's third in a 4–0 victory over Bristol City on 15 January 2011.[31] On 2 May 2011, Robson scored Middlesbrough's second goal in a 3–0 victory over Cardiff City.[32] He followed this up five days later, scoring a free-kick in the first half of his team 3–0 win over Doncaster.[33]

Robson scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season in a 3–1 victory over Barnsley on 16 August 2011.[34] On 21 August 2011, he scored the equalizer from a free kick in Middlesbrough's 3–1 win over Birmingham City.[35] He followed this, three days later, by hitting his team's opener on four minutes in a 2–0 victory over Peterborough United in the second round of the 2011–12 Football League Cup.[36] Robson's fine goal scoring form continued with a goal against Millwall and two against Doncaster to help extend Middlesbrough's strong start to the season.[37][38] Robson scored a stunning goal from 35 yards in the 87th minute, to give Middlesbrough a vital 1–0 home victory over Hull City on 26 December 2011.[39] On 29 January 2012, Robson scored a brilliant left footed volley against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. This forced an FA Cup fourth-round replay at the Riverside Stadium. Following injury to club captain Matthew Bates, Robson was giving the captain's armband until the end of his final season at the Riverside.[40] In April, Robson was announced as the player of the year for the Middlesbrough Official Supporters Club for the 2011–12 season.[41] On 28 April 2012, Robson played in a 2–1 loss against Watford on the last day of the season, setting up Marvin Emnes for Boro's solitary goal.[42] It was his final game for Middlesbrough.

Vancouver Whitecaps FC

In February 2012 Robson agreed to a three-year contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC as one of their two available Designated Players.[43] Robson made his Whitecaps debut in a 1–0 away victory against the Colorado Rapids,[44] and in his home debut, scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Los Angeles Galaxy.[45] Robson finished the season having played 18 times for Vancouver and scoring three goals. With the Whitecaps returning for pre-season training in January 2013, they announced they had mutually agreed to terminate Robson's contract to enable him to return to the UK, citing the inability of his family to settle in Canada.[46]

Sheffield United

On the last day of January 2013 transfer window Robson returned to England, signing a short-term contract with Sheffield United for the remainder of the season, taking the vacant number 19 shirt.[47] Robson made his debut for the Blades the following day, as a substitute in a 2–1 home defeat against Coventry City, providing an assist with his first touch of the ball in a Blades shirt, setting up Dave Kitson's goal from a corner kick.[48] His first goal for the Blades came in his first start for the club, netting from the penalty spot in a 3–0 win over Colchester United a few weeks later.[49] Robson played regularly for the remainder of the season but with the Blades failing to gain promotion they opted not to offer him a new deal when his contract expired.[50] Robson left United having made eighteen appearances and scored two goals.[51]

Aberdeen

In June 2013, Robson signed a pre-contract agreement with his home town club Aberdeen,[50][52] and made his debut in their first game of the season, a 2–1 victory over Kilmarnock.[53] Robson scored two goals to help Aberdeen beat Inverness CT in a thrilling 4–3 encounter during the festive period. Robson also netted for the dons with a penalty against Dundee United which leveled the game at 1–1 before Peter Pawlett netted in stoppage time to seal all three points for Aberdeen. Robson also found the net directly from a corner kick in a match against St Mirren which Aberdeen went on to win 2–0.

On 16 March 2014, Robson was in the Aberdeen side that beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4–2 on penalties to win the 2014 Scottish League Cup Final. Robson was among the Aberdeen players to score during the shoot-out.[54][3] He signed a new one-year contract with Aberdeen on 15 May 2014.[55] Robson retired from professional football at the end of the 2015–16 season;[56] he then took up a coaching position with Aberdeen.[57]

International career

Robson won a call-up to the Scotland B team for the first time in December 2005, alongside fellow Dundee United player Mark Kerr.[58]

Robson played in the Scotland Future team in March 2006.[59][60] In August 2007, Robson received his first full international call-up when selected for the friendly against South Africa,[61] making his début as a second-half substitute.[62] He was subsequently called up for the following squad in September 2007 for the double-header against Lithuania and France but failed to make an appearance.

In September 2008, Robson was credited with his first international goal in the 2010 World Cup qualifying victory against Iceland in unusual circumstances. After James McFadden's second-half penalty kick was saved, both players chased the rebound. Though it appeared that McFadden touched the ball over the line,[63][64][65][66] the goal was officially awarded to Robson.[67][68] The SFA lobbied on McFadden's behalf, and in March 2009 FIFA re-credited the goal to McFadden.[69][70]

Coaching career

Aberdeen

On 14 February 2022, Robson was appointed as caretaker manager of Aberdeen following the sacking of Stephen Glass, being temporarily promoted from his role with the U18s.[71][72] Robson oversaw one match during his interim spell in charge, a 1–1 draw with St Johnstone,[73] before the club made the permanent appointment of Jim Goodwin.[74]

Robson was again put in caretaker charge of Aberdeen in January 2023, following the sacking of Jim Goodwin.[75] Aberdeen confirmed on 29 March that Robson would continue as manager at least until the end of the 2022–23 season.[76] Following a run of seven consecutive wins that pushed Aberdeen into third place in the 2022–23 Scottish Premiership, Robson signed a two-year contract to continue as manager on 1 May 2023.[77]

Honours

Celtic

Aberdeen

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[78][79]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Inverness Caledonian Thistle 1997–98 Scottish Second Division 233420000275
1998–99 1601010-180
1999–2000 Scottish First Division 4000202181
2000–01 242211020293
2001–02 342314220435
2002–03 34104330104213
Total 135171471127116727
Forfar Athletic (loan)1999–2000 Scottish Third Division 2593100-2810
Dundee United 2003–04 Scottish Premier League 2830010-293
2004–05 3665141-458
2005–06 311101020351
2006–07 29112120-3312
2007–08 21111120-2412
Total 14532931012016636
Celtic 2007–08 Scottish Premier League 152000011163
2008–09 171101051242
2009–10 101001041152
Total 4241020103557
Middlesbrough 2009–10 Championship 1850000-185
2010–11 3250010-335
2011–12 3771111-399
Total 87171121009019
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2012 Major League Soccer 173000010183
Sheffield United 2012–13 League One 172000010182
Aberdeen 2013–14 Scottish Premiership 2844030-354
2014–15 200002050270
2015–16 120000020140
Total 604405070764
Career total 528883212304284618108

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[80]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Scotland 200710
200850
200910
201050
201140
201210
Total170

Managerial record

As of match played 2 January 2024
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record Ref
G W D L Win %
Aberdeen (caretaker) Scotland 13 February 2022 19 February 2022 1 0 1 0 000.00 [81]
Aberdeen Scotland 29 January 2023 Present 45 19 9 17 042.22 [81]
Total 46 19 10 17 041.30
  • Initially caretaker in his second spell at Aberdeen; appointed until at least the end of the 2022–23 season on 29 March 2023 and on a two-year contract on 1 May 2023.[76][77]

References

  1. ↑ "List of players given a free transfer: Sheffield United" (PDF). The Football League. p. 84. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 August 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Celtic new boy Barry Robson heeds warnings". The Daily Telegraph. 3 February 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Aberdeen's League Cup hero Barry Robson: I've not felt like this since we won the title for Tommy Burns at Celtic". The Daily Record. 18 March 2014. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Barry Robson could have had 10 years at the top if he'd screwed nut as a kid, says ex-Rangers youth coach John Brown". The Daily Record. 15 February 2009. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  5. ↑ "Life goes on for Oleg". Rangers News. 19 May 1997. Retrieved 14 September 2018 – via RangersHistory on Twitter, 12 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Barry Robson profile". Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  7. ↑ "Scotland - Final Tables Third Level 1924-2004". RSSF. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  8. ↑ "Games played by Barry Robson in 1999/2000". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  9. ↑ "Dundee Utd chase Robson". BBC Sport. 6 May 2003.
  10. ↑ "United snap up Robson". BBC Sport. 16 May 2003. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  11. ↑ "Midfielders agree Tannadice deals". BBC Sport. 19 August 2005.
  12. ↑ "Inverness CT 0–1 Dundee Utd". BBC Sport. 21 May 2005. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  13. ↑ "Celtic 1–0 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 28 May 2005. Retrieved 21 September 2017.
  14. ↑ "Robson to stay Tannadice skipper". BBC Sport. 15 September 2006. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  15. ↑ "Robson agrees new Tannadice deal". BBC Sport. 1 February 2007. Retrieved 14 April 2013.
  16. ↑ "Hearts 0-4 Dundee United Live Commentary". Football.co.uk. 17 March 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  17. ↑ "Dundee United 4-1 Hearts". BBC Sport. 2 January 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  18. ↑ "Robson agrees terms with Celtic". BBC Sport. 31 January 2008.
  19. ↑ Harris, Nick (11 February 2008). "Aberdeen 1 Celtic 5: Robson adds life to Celtic title bid". The Independent. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  20. ↑ "Two for Messi as Barça see off Celtic". UEFA. 21 February 2008. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
  21. ↑ "Games played by Barry Robson in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  22. ↑ "Celtic 3-2 Rangers - as it happened". The Guardian. 27 April 2008. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  23. ↑ "Barry Robson profile". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  24. ↑ "Middlesbrough sign Celtic trio". Celtic F.C. 13 January 2010.
  25. ↑ "Boro 0 – 0 Bristol City". Boro – The Official Website. 30 January 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  26. ↑ "Middlesbrough 1–0 Peterborough". BBC Sport. 13 February 2010. Retrieved 16 February 2010.
  27. ↑ "Boro 2 – 0 QPR". Boro – The Official Website. 27 February 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  28. ↑ "Boro 2 – 2 Newcastle". Boro – The Official Website. 13 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  29. ↑ "Boro 3 Reading 1". Middlesbrough F.C. 18 September 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  30. ↑ "Boro 2 Portsmouth 2". Middlesbrough F.C. 2 October 2010. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  31. ↑ "Bristol City 0 - 4 Boro". Middlesbrough F.C. 15 January 2011. Archived from the original on 28 September 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  32. ↑ "Cardiff City 0 - 3 Boro". Middlesbrough F.C. 2 May 2011. Archived from the original on 2 September 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  33. ↑ "Boro 3 Doncaster 0". Middlesbrough F.C. 7 May 2011. Archived from the original on 27 April 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  34. ↑ "Barnsley 1 Boro 3". Middlesbrough F.C. 16 August 2011. Archived from the original on 18 August 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  35. ↑ "Boro 3 - 1 Birmingham". Middlesbrough F.C. 21 August 2011. Archived from the original on 23 August 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  36. ↑ "Peterborough 0 Boro 2". Middlesbrough F.C. 24 August 2011. Archived from the original on 30 November 2011. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  37. ↑ "Boro 1 - 1 Millwall". Middlesbrough F.C. 15 October 2011. Archived from the original on 18 January 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  38. ↑ "Doncaster 1 - 3 Boro". Middlesbrough F.C. 1 November 2011. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  39. ↑ "The Great Escape". Middlesbrough F.C. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2012.
  40. ↑ "Boro stand-in skipper looking to end on a high". Sky Sports. 2 April 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  41. ↑ "Robbo Wins Fans Award". Middlesbrough F.C. April 2012. Archived from the original on 30 June 2012. Retrieved 27 April 2012.
  42. ↑ Rayner, Stuart (29 April 2012). "Watford 2 Middlesbrough 1". Chronicle Live. Retrieved 2 October 2020.
  43. ↑ "Whitecaps FC add Designated Player Barry Robson". Vancouver Whitecaps FC. 16 February 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2012.
  44. ↑ "Colorado Rapids fall 1-0 to Vancouver Whitecaps on fireworks night". The Denver Post. 4 July 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  45. ↑ "Galaxy score two late goals to salvage a 2-2 draw vs Whitecaps". The Globe and Mail. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2013.
  46. ↑ "Midfielder Barry Robson moves on". Vancouver Whiecaps FC. 21 January 2013. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  47. ↑ "Robson deal completed". Sheffield United FC Official Web Site. 31 January 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  48. ↑ "Sheffield United 1 Coventry City 2". The Sheffield Star. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  49. ↑ "Barry's best is yet to come". The Sheffield Star. 19 February 2013. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
  50. 1 2 "Aberdeen realise Barry Robson's dream of Pittodrie move". BBC Sport. 3 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  51. ↑ "Games played by Barry Robson in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 June 2013.
  52. ↑ "Aberdeen complete signing of Barry Robson on pre-contract agreement". STV. 3 June 2013. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  53. ↑ "Derek McInness delighted with new additions". BBC Sport. 3 August 2013. Retrieved 5 August 2013.
  54. 1 2 Campbell, Andy (16 March 2014). "Aberdeen 0-0 Inverness CT". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  55. ↑ "Aberdeen: Russell Anderson & Barry Robson sign new deals". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  56. ↑ Davie, Scott (15 May 2016). "Aberdeen 0-4 Ross County: Derek McInnes disappointed by Barry Robson farewell". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 16 May 2016.
  57. ↑ "Barry Robson joins Aberdeen coaching staff after retirement". BBC Sport. BBC. 18 May 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  58. ↑ "Chis fears for Future". Evening Telegraph News. 6 December 2005. Archived from the original on 20 April 2013. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  59. ↑ "Scotland Future 2–3 Turkey Future". BBC Sport. 15 March 2006.
  60. ↑ "Scotland B player Barry Robson". FitbaStats. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
  61. ↑ "Barry Robson profile". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  62. ↑ "SCOTLAND v SOUTH AFRICA International Challenge Match - A Squad". Scottish FA. 22 August 2007. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  63. ↑ "Ten-man Scots win in Iceland". FIFA. Agence France-Presse. 10 September 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
  64. ↑ Moffat, Colin (10 September 2008). "Iceland 1–2 Scotland". BBC Sport. Retrieved 9 October 2008.
  65. ↑ Spiers, Graham (11 September 2008). "Scotland survive nervous ordeal in Iceland". Times Online. Retrieved 9 October 2008.
  66. ↑ Hunter, Andy (11 September 2008). "Saviour Broadfoot breathes new life into Scotland". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2008.
  67. ↑ "World Cup qualifier: Iceland 1 Scotland 2". Scottish Football Association. 10 September 2008. Retrieved 10 October 2008.
  68. ↑ "Match report: Iceland 1 Scotland 2". FIFA. Archived from the original on 22 September 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
  69. ↑ Waddell, Gordon (15 March 2009). "Scotland ace James McFadden is awarded goal claimed by Barry Robson". Sunday Mail. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
  70. ↑ "Match report: Iceland 1 Scotland 2". FIFA. Archived from the original on 22 September 2008. Retrieved 16 March 2009.
  71. ↑ "Stephen Glass Departs Aberdeen Football Club". www.afc.co.uk. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  72. ↑ "Dons Confirm Interim Coaching Team". www.afc.co.uk. 13 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  73. ↑ "Aberdeen 1–1 St Johnstone: Managerless hosts hit back for point". BBC Sport. 15 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  74. ↑ "Jim Goodwin Appointed Aberdeen FC Manager". www.afc.co.uk. 19 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
  75. ↑ Coyle, Andy (29 January 2023). "Barry Robson named as Aberdeen interim boss following Jim Goodwin's sacking". STV Sport. Retrieved 29 January 2023.
  76. 1 2 "Aberdeen: Barry Robson confirmed as interim manager 'initially' for rest of season". BBC Sport. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  77. 1 2 "Barry Robson: Aberdeen manager to continue in role after agreeing two-year deal". BBC Sport. 1 May 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2023.
  78. ↑ Barry Robson at Soccerbase
  79. ↑ "Barry Robson Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
  80. ↑ Barry Robson at the Scottish Football Association
  81. 1 2 "Aberdeen FC: Matches". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 13 January 2023.
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