Blair Spittal

Last updated

Blair Spittal
BlairSpittal.png
Personal information
Full name Blair Thomas Spittal [1]
Date of birth (1995-12-19) 19 December 1995 (age 28)
Place of birth Erskine, Scotland [2]
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Heart of Midlothian
Number 16
Youth career
2008–2010 Rangers
2010–2012 Queen's Park
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2012–2014 Queen's Park 52 (9)
2014–2017 Dundee United 82 (9)
2017–2019 Partick Thistle 69 (11)
2019–2022 Ross County 63 (8)
2020–2021 → Partick Thistle (loan) 8 (2)
2022–2024 Motherwell 73 (15)
2024– Heart of Midlothian 10 (2)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 27 October 2024 (UTC)

Blair Thomas Spittal (born 19 December 1995) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian. He has previously played for Motherwell, Queen's Park, Dundee United, Partick Thistle and Ross County.

Contents

Early life and career

Blair began playing for Erskine Boys Club and from there moved to Rangers. He spent two years there before joining Queen's Park's under-17 side. [3] He attended Park Mains High School in Erskine.

Club career

Queen's Park

At the age of 16 years old, Blair made his debut for Queen's Park away to Montrose on 17 November 2012. [4] He went on to make a total of 18 appearances that season, [5] scoring his only goal in a 5–3 win away to Elgin. [6]

The following season, he established himself as a first team regular, making 41 appearances and scoring 12 goals in the process. [5] This successful form saw him pursued by both of Dundee's Scottish Premiership clubs. Having agreed terms with both sides, he opted to join his ex-Queen's Park teammates Aidan Connolly and Andrew Robertson at Dundee United, over city rivals Dundee. [7]

Dundee United

Having spent the first two games of the season as an unused substitute, Blair made his debut for the Terrors from the bench in the club's third game of the season away to Celtic on 16 August 2014. [8] Blair played in the United squad that faced relegation from the Premiership in 2016. He was part of the side that won the 2016–17 Scottish Challenge Cup as he played in the earlier third and fourth rounds, as well as the quarter-final. However, he missed out on both the semi-finals and the final due to injury.

Partick Thistle

Blair joined Scottish Premiership club Partick Thistle on a two-year contract on 15 June 2017. [9] He scored three goals in his first three games for the club, scoring a brace against St Mirren in the Scottish League Cup, including a free kick. [10] He then scored in a 2–1 win away to Airdrieonians in the same competition. [11] Blair marked his league debut for Partick Thistle with 3 assists against Aberdeen in a 4–3 defeat. In his second league appearance for the club, he scored his first league goal away to Ross County in a 1–1 draw. Blair continued his form the week after with a goal direct from a free kick and another assist as ten-man Thistle grabbed a 2–2 draw with Rangers at Firhill, taking his overall club tally to 7 appearances, 5 goals and 4 assists in all competitions. [12] He then carried his form into the next league game by opening the scoring in a 1–1 draw with Hearts. He scored his fourth league goal of the campaign with another freekick, scoring the opener in a 3–2 home win against Motherwell. [13] On 26 February 2019, in the absence of Partick Thistle's regular club captain Stuart Bannigan, Blair donned on the armband as the club travelled to East End Park to take on Dunfermline. They ended up losing the game 3–0. Blair again lead the team out in a home game against Hearts in the Scottish Cup quarter-final which ended in a 1–1 draw, meaning that there would be a replay in Edinburgh. Blair rounded off the season with a total of 8 goals in all competitions, and was awarded the club's Player of the Year award. Blair informed the club that he intended to leave on 31 May 2019. In all competitions, he made 89 appearances for the Jags, scoring 15 goals and registering 13 assists.

Ross County

On 4 June 2019, Blair signed for Ross County, agreeing a two-year contract. [14] He made his club debut in the Scottish League cup at home to Montrose, providing an assist. Three days later, he scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 away win to Brechin City. Just five days on, he bagged another assist in a 2–1 away win against the group favourites St. Johnstone. Ross County would finish top of their league cup group with the maximum twelve points and advance to round two. Blair would start his first Premiership game on the bench, but was subbed on after just 11 minutes to help his side defeat Hamilton 3–0.

Return to Partick Thistle

On 7 October 2020, Blair made a return to former club Partick Thistle who, at the time, were in League One, on a loan deal until January. [15] Blair scored on his second debut for Partick Thistle just hours after he rejoined the club, scoring the equaliser in an eventual 4–1 defeat away to St. Mirren in their Scottish League Cup group stage. [16] Blair scored his first league goal in his second spell for Thistle, scoring the winner in a 2–1 home win over Airdrieonians in the second league game of the season, with a fantastic curled shot into the top corner from outside the box. [17] On 22 January 2021 Spittal was recalled to County following the suspension of the League one season. [18]

Return to Ross County

Following his loan spell at Partick, Blair returned to Dingwall in January. From then and until the end of the season, he only made five appearances. Spittal became a first-team regular for the 2021–22 campaign and was given the number 7 shirt. On 17 May 2022 it was announced Spittal would leave Ross County at the end of his contract after three years having made 72 appearances for the club scoring 12 goals. [19]

Motherwell

On 27 May 2022, it was announced that Spittal would join Motherwell on a two-year contract. [20] Spittal scored his first Motherwell goal in a 3–2 away win against Aberdeen and would score six times in the 2022–23 season.

In the 2023–24 season Spittal would record a career high 13 goals finishing as Motherwell 2nd top goalscorer. He won his first Scottish Premiership Player of the Month award in February 2024, after scoring 4 and assisting 2 in 5 games.

Heart of Midlothian

On 21 March 2024, he agreed a pre-contract with Heart of Midlothian, [21] officially signing for the club on 20 June 2024 on a three-year contract. [22]

Career statistics

[5]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeague Scottish Cup League Cup OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Queen's Park 2012–13 [23] Scottish Third Division 16100002 [lower-alpha 1] 0181
2013–14 [24] Scottish League Two 36834101 [lower-alpha 2] 04112
Total5293410305913
Dundee United 2014–15 [25] Scottish Premiership 2522030—302
2015–16 [26] Scottish Premiership3354121—397
2016–17 [27] Scottish Championship 24210608 [lower-alpha 3] 3395
Total829711118310814
Partick Thistle 2017–18 [28] Scottish Premiership33420532 [lower-alpha 4] 0427
2018–19 [29] Scottish Championship36741502 [lower-alpha 2] 0458
Total691161103408715
Ross County 2019–20 [30] Scottish Premiership2021052—264
2020–21 [31] Scottish Premiership910000–91
2021–22 [31] Scottish Premiership3451022–377
Total6382074007212
Partick Thistle (loan) 2020–21 [31] Scottish League One 410041—82
Motherwell 2023–23 Scottish Premiership366202020426
2023–24 Scottish Premiership3792252–4413
Total73154272208619
Heart of Midlothian 2024–25 Scottish Premiership102001041153
Career total3475522839921442976
  1. ↑ Appearances in Scottish Second Division play-offs
  2. 1 2 Appearance(s) in Scottish Challenge Cup
  3. ↑ Three appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup, five appearances and three goals in Scottish Premiership play-offs
  4. ↑ Appearances in Scottish Premiership play-offs

Honours

Club

Dundee United

Individual

Related Research Articles

John William Michael Sutton is an English former professional footballer who played as a forward for a number of clubs in England and Scotland as well as Australia during his career, and also represented England at the under-15 and under-16 levels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kallum Higginbotham</span> English footballer (born 1989)

Kallum Michael Higginbotham is an English footballer who used to play as a winger for Scottish League Two club Bonnyrigg Rose.

Iain Angus Vigurs is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish League One club Cove Rangers. He has previously played for Elgin City, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Ross County and Motherwell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brian Graham (footballer)</span> Scottish footballer

Brian Graham is a Scottish football striker and coach, who plays for Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle, and is also the manager of Partick Thistle W.F.C. in the Scottish Women's Premier League.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kris Doolan</span> Scottish footballer

Kris Mark Doolan is a Scottish professional football coach and former player who manages Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle.

Ross Forbes is a Scottish football midfielder. He has played for Motherwell, Dumbarton, Partick Thistle, Dunfermline Athletic, Greenock Morton, Forfar Athletic, Stenhousemuir and Clyde.

Ryan Dow is a Scottish footballer who plays as a midfielder or forward for Scottish League One club Arbroath.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Callum Booth</span> Scottish footballer

Callum Booth is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left-back for Scottish League Two side The Spartans on loan from Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone.

Blair Michael Alston is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Scottish League One club Stenhousemuir. Alston has previously played for Hamilton Academical, St Johnstone, Falkirk, Kilmarnock and Partick Thistle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ross Docherty</span> Scottish footballer

Ross Docherty is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for and captains Scottish Premiership side Dundee United.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christie Elliott</span> English footballer

Christie James Elliott is an English former professional footballer. Having previously played for English lower league sides Jarrow and Whitley Bay, Elliott signed a two-year deal with then Scottish First Division side Partick Thistle. He was loaned in 2012 to Scottish Second Division side Albion Rovers before returning to Firhill in January 2013. After a stint with Carlisle United after a lengthy term with Partick, he returned to Scotland with Dundee. Having started his career as a striker, he primarily played as a defender for most of it, playing the majority of games at right-back and providing the occasional cover at left-back. Christie announced his retirement from professional football at age 31 on 16 August 2022 after leaving Dundee in the summer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steven Lawless</span> Scottish footballer

Steven Lawless is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left-sided winger for Scottish Championship side Partick Thistle.

Kevin Holt is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left-back and also a centre-back for Scottish Premiership club Dundee United. Holt started his career with local side Queen of the South before playing for Dundee and Cypriot side Pafos, then returning to The Doonhamers. After another stint in Cyprus with Ermis Aradippou, Holt spent two seasons with Partick Thistle before signing with Dundee United.

Declan Patrick Gallagher is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Scottish Premiership club Dundee United and the Scotland national team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aaron Muirhead</span> Scottish footballer

Aaron Muirhead is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle. Muirhead has previously played for Annan Athletic, Partick Thistle and Falkirk, after progressing through Ayr United's youth academy.

Daniel Mullen is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City. He has previously played for Livingston, St Mirren, Dundee and Partick Thistle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Craig Slater</span> Scottish footballer

Craig Slater is a Scottish professional football player and coach. He plays as a midfielder for Scottish League One club Arbroath, and is also first team coach at Scottish Women's Premier League team Motherwell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lee Ashcroft (Scottish footballer)</span> Scottish footballer

Lee Ashcroft is a Scottish footballer who plays as a defender for Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle. Ashcroft previously played for Kilmarnock, Dunfermline Athletic and Dundee, as well as on loan for Raith Rovers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Simon Murray (footballer)</span> Scottish footballer

Simon Murray is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Scottish Premiership club Dundee.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Tiffoney</span> Scottish footballer

Scott Tiffoney is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a winger for Scottish Premiership club Dundee. Tiffoney started his career in the youth system at St Mirren, and has played for Greenock Morton, Livingston and Partick Thistle, as well as numerous loan spells.

References

  1. ↑ Statutory registers - Births - Search results, ScotlandsPeople
  2. ↑ "Blair Spittal player profile". Dundee United F.C. Archived from the original on 19 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  3. ↑ Stewart, Craig (16 August 2013). "Spittal the latest to shine at Hampden". SPFL. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  4. ↑ "Blair Spittal". The Queen's Park Football Club. Archived from the original on 16 August 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  5. 1 2 3 "B. SPITTAL". Soccerway. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  6. ↑ "Elgin City 3–5 Queen's Park". BBC Sport. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  7. ↑ "Dundee United sign Blair Spittal from Queen's Park". BBC Sport. 12 June 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  8. ↑ Lamont, Alasdair (16 August 2014). "Celtic 6 1 Dundee Utd". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  9. ↑ Barrie, Douglas (15 June 2017). "Blair Spittal signs two-year deal with Partick Thistle". STV News. Archived from the original on 13 August 2018. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  10. ↑ Campbell, Andy (22 July 2017). "Partick Thistle 5–0 St Mirren". BBC Sport.
  11. ↑ "Livi progress with comfortable victory". BBC Sport.
  12. ↑ Lewis, Jane (15 September 2017). "Partick Thistle 2–2 Rangers". BBC Sport.
  13. ↑ "Partick Thistle 3–2 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 13 December 2017.
  14. ↑ Smith, Tyrone (4 June 2019). "Ross County: Blair Spittal out to 'rebuild reputation' after Partick Thistle exit". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  15. ↑ "Loan News: Blair Spittal joins on loan".
  16. ↑ "St Mirren v Partick Thistle". BBC Sport.
  17. ↑ "Partick Thistle v Airdrieonians". BBC Sport.
  18. ↑ "Ross County sign Norwegian defender Leo Hjelde on loan from Celtic".
  19. ↑ "Blair Spittal departs Ross County". Ross County FC. 17 May 2022. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  20. ↑ "Motherwell sign Blair Spittal after Ross County exit". BBC Sport. 27 May 2022. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  21. ↑ Anderson, Barry (21 March 2024). "Three new signings for Hearts as Blair Spittal agrees a deal to move from Motherwell". Edinburgh Evening News.
  22. ↑ "Spittal signs – Hearts". www.heartsfc.co.uk. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  23. ↑ "Games played by Blair Spittal in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  24. ↑ "Games played by Blair Spittal in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  25. ↑ "Games played by Blair Spittal in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  26. ↑ "Games played by Blair Spittal in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  27. ↑ "Games played by Blair Spittal in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  28. ↑ "Games played by Blair Spittal in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 October 2017.
  29. ↑ "Games played by Blair Spittal in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  30. ↑ "Games played by Blair Spittal in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
  31. 1 2 3 "Games played by Blair Spittal in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  32. ↑ "Falkirk and Rangers dominate team of the year voting". BBC Sport. 18 April 2014. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.