Steven Smith (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Steven Smith is a Scottish
footballer who currently plays for English
Football League One
side Preston North End
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.
, Smith signed a professional contract with Rangers on 1 June 2002. 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. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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 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, 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.
In season 2009–10 Smith won his first trophy as a player when Rangers defeated St. Mirren in the Scottish League Cup Final
.
on loan for the remainder of the season. Craig Brown
has confirmed he would like to offer Smith a contract for the 2011/12 Season. However, due to the players increased wage demands (following Norwich City
's promotion) Aberdeen look to have been priced out of a move. Heart of Midlothian
have since indicated to Smith and his agent that they would be very interested in signing the player should Lee Wallace
leave before the end of the 2011 Summer transfer window.
on a free transfer. He signed a one year deal for the club, with an option of a further year.
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.
He also played for the Scotland B
team in their 0–0 draw with the Republic of Ireland B
team on the 14 November 2006, at the Dalymount Park
, Dublin.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
footballer who currently plays for English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
Football League One
Football League One
Football League One is the second-highest division of The Football League and third-highest division overall in the English football league system....
side Preston North End
A left back, Smith made an early breakthrough with Scottish side Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, and was capped by Scotland B
Scotland B national football team
The Scotland B national football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is a secondary football team of Scotland, run occasionally as support for the Scotland national football team as a second string side to the first team....
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.
Rangers
Born in BellshillBellshill
Bellshill is a town in North Lanarkshire, Scotland, 10 miles south east of Glasgow city centre and 37 miles west of Edinburgh. Other nearby towns are Motherwell , Hamilton and Coatbridge . Since 1996, it has been situated in the Greater Glasgow metropolitan area...
, Smith signed a professional contract with Rangers on 1 June 2002. He made his Rangers debut against Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
on 28 November 2004 as a half-time substitute for Maurice Ross
Maurice Ross
Maurice Ross is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for Livingston in the Scottish First Division. Ross made his first senior appearance in professional football in February 2000 and has played for 10 different clubs: Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Millwall,...
. He played a further three times that season but had to wait until the winter of 2005
Rangers F.C. season 2005-06
The 2005–06 season is the 109th season of competitive football by Rangers.-Overview:Rangers played a total of 52 competitive matches during the 2005–06 season. Their start to the season was poor, winning only six league games out of the first 17...
to establish himself in the team. He made twenty top team appearances that season including his UEFA Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
debut against Villarreal CF
Villarreal CF
Villarreal Club de Fútbol, S.A.D. , usually abbreviated to Villarreal CF or just Villarreal, is a Spanish Primera División football club based in Vila-real, a city in the province of Castellón within the Valencian Community...
on 22 February 2006. He signed a two-year contract extension less than a week later, on 27 February 2006. Smith went on to win the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
young player of the month for April 2006 which cemented his place as first choice left-back at the club.
The then new manager Paul Le Guen
Paul Le Guen
Paul Le Guen is a French football manager and former player. He was recently confirmed as new manager of the Oman national football team.Le Guen had a successful managerial career in France, most notably leading Olympique Lyonnais to three consecutive Ligue 1 titles. He has also managed Stade...
kept faith in Smith and despite Rangers' poor results and performances, he started the 2006–07 season
Rangers F.C. season 2006-07
The 2006–07 season is the 110th season of competitive football by Rangers.-Overview:Rangers played a total of 51 competitive matches during the 2006–07 season. They entered the season under new management with Paul Le Guen having replaced Alex McLeish...
in impressive form. This was rewarded with a further contract extension which he signed on 27 October 2006. Smith scored his first goal for the club in a 2–0 win over Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
on 11 November 2006 during a game where he was named the Man of the Match.
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
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
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. He returned to the first team, appearing as an unused substitute in a Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
match against Partick Thistle in March 2008, over fifteen months after his last appearance 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
Cardiff City F.C.
Cardiff City Football Club are a Welsh professional football club based in Cardiff, Wales. The club competes in the English football pyramid and is currently playing in the Football League Championship. Cardiff City is the best supported football club in Wales, averaging approximately 22,500 for...
on trial on 25 March 2009, 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
Motherwell F.C.
Motherwell Football & Athletic Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire. The club compete in the Scottish Premier League and are one of only seven teams to have remained in this league since it was founded in 1998...
. He played 73 minutes in the unfamiliar position of left midfield but did well enough to keep his place for following matches.
In season 2009–10 Smith won his first trophy as a player when Rangers defeated St. Mirren in the Scottish League Cup Final
2010 Scottish League Cup Final
The 2010 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2009–10 Scottish League Cup, the 63rd season of the Scottish League Cup.-St. Mirren:...
.
Norwich City
On 2 June 2010, Smith signed for Norwich City on a Bosman transfer and was handed number 26. 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 2010, Smith signed for AberdeenAberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
on loan for the remainder of the season. Craig Brown
Craig Brown
Craig Brown may refer to:* Craig Brown , football player and manager* Craig Brown , British critic and satirist* Craig Brown , American curler...
has confirmed he would like to offer Smith a contract for the 2011/12 Season. However, due to the players increased wage demands (following Norwich City
Norwich City F.C.
Norwich City Football Club is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. As of the 2011–12 season, Norwich City are again playing in the Premier League after a six-year absence, having finished as runner up in the Championship in 2010–11 and winning automatic promotion.The...
's promotion) Aberdeen look to have been priced out of a move. Heart of Midlothian
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
have since indicated to Smith and his agent that they would be very interested in signing the player should Lee Wallace
Lee Wallace
Lee Wallace is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for Rangers in the Scottish Premier League. He is a left-sided fullback who can also operate on the left side of midfield.-Heart of Midlothian:...
leave before the end of the 2011 Summer transfer window.
Preston North End
On 12 August 2011 Smith joined Preston North EndPreston North End F.C.
Preston North End Football Club is an English professional football club located in the Deepdale area of the city of Preston, Lancashire, currently playing in the third tier of English league football, League One...
on a free transfer. He signed a one year deal for the club, with an option of a further year.
International career
He made his debut for the Scotland under-21 football teamScotland national under-21 football team
The Scotland national under-21 football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is Scotland's national under 21 football team and is considered to be a feeder team for the Scotland national football team....
in their 3–1 defeat to France under-21
France national under-21 football team
The France national under-21 football team , known in France as Les Espoirs , is the national under-21 football team of France and is controlled by the French Football Federation. The team competes in the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship, held every two years...
team and was also in line for his first Scotland
Scotland national football team
The Scotland national football team represents Scotland in international football and is controlled by the Scottish Football Association. Scotland are the joint oldest national football team in the world, alongside England, whom they played in the world's first international football match in 1872...
appearances in the double header of 2008 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying
2008 UEFA European Football Championship qualifying
This page describes the qualifying procedure for the UEFA Euro 2008.- Seedings :Qualification coefficients were used to rank the teams according to their results in both UEFA Euro 2004 and FIFA World Cup 2006 qualifying stages. Only the group matches, and not any additional playoffs, counted...
matches against France
France national football team
The France national football team represents the nation of France in international football. It is fielded by the French Football Federation , the governing body of football in France, and competes as a member of UEFA, which encompasses the countries of Europe...
and Ukraine
Ukraine national football team
The Ukraine national football team is the national football team of Ukraine and is controlled by the Football Federation of Ukraine. After Ukrainian Independence and breakaway from the Soviet Union, they played their first match against Hungary on 29 April 1992...
in October 2006 but he was ruled out with a thigh injury.
He also played for the Scotland B
Scotland B national football team
The Scotland B national football team, controlled by the Scottish Football Association, is a secondary football team of Scotland, run occasionally as support for the Scotland national football team as a second string side to the first team....
team in their 0–0 draw with the Republic of Ireland B
Republic of Ireland B national football team
Republic of Ireland B is the reserve team of the Republic of Ireland national football team. There are no competitions for B teams. However since 1957 the Football Association of Ireland has arranged occasional friendlies.-Early B internationals:...
team on the 14 November 2006, at the Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
, Dublin.
Honours
RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
- 1: Scottish Premier League 2009-10
- 1: 2010 Scottish League Cup Final2010 Scottish League Cup FinalThe 2010 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2009–10 Scottish League Cup, the 63rd season of the Scottish League Cup.-St. Mirren:...