John Rankin (footballer)

John Rankin
Personal information
Full name John Rankin
Date of birth (1983-06-27) 27 June 1983
Place of birth Bellshill, Scotland
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position Central Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Falkirk
Number 6
Youth career
2000–2003 Manchester United
2001 Corinthians (loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Ross County 101 (17)
2006–2008 Inverness Caledonian Thistle 49 (9)
2008–2011 Hibernian 100 (6)
2011–2016 Dundee United 173 (12)
2016– Falkirk 11 (0)
National team‡
2006 Scotland B 1 (0)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19 November 2016 (UTC).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 30 June 2011

John Rankin (born 27 June 1983 in Bellshill, Scotland) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Falkirk in the Scottish Championship. Rankin has previously played for Ross County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Hibernian and Dundee United. He represented Scotland B once, in 2006.

Club career

Early career

Rankin began his career with English Premier League club Manchester United, but did not make any first team appearances.[1] While at Manchester United, Rankin was sent to Corinthians, along with Ben Muirhead, by Alex Ferguson, to gain experience at Manchester United in the near future. However, his time there was a disaster, as he spoke about how both players struggled for food while they were there:

“ We got up one day and had our breakfast but then ate no lunch and no dinner. The day after we had NOTHING to eat. Our next meal was lunch the following day. We hadn’t eaten for two days and had been at six training sessions so it was a struggle. The other players knew where to go for food but we couldn’t communicate with anyone. ”

He also spoke about the poverty he had seen in his time in Brazil:

“ One of my main memories is the poverty in the place. I saw people living in wooden sheds and kids begging. The children hunted in packs for food. The kids hung lollipops over your wing mirror if you stopped at traffic lights and if you took them off they’d ask for money. That’s how bad it was. I’ve young children myself now and it’s not right for a boy of eight to have to beg. It was a reality check. I was only 18 and it was heart breaking. It really opened my eyes.[2] ”

After unsuccessful trials with a number of Scottish Premier League sides,[3] he joined Scottish First Division side Ross County in 2003, going on to make over 100 league appearances for the Dingwall club and receiving two league Player of the Year awards.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

He moved to Highland derby rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle for a reported fee of £65,000 in 2006, making him one of several players to have played for both Highland clubs. He made 55 appearances and scored nine goals, including a stunning last minute winner against Rangers on 27 December 2006.[4]

Hibernian

In January 2008, Rankin moved to Hibernian for a fee of £110,000.[1] Rankin scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win for Hibs against Celtic on 7 December 2008.[5] The goal was notable because it was scored from a yard in front of the centre circle, approximately 45 yards from the goal.[5] The shot dipped and deceived the Celtic goalkeeper, Polish international Artur Boruc.[5] After the game, Rankin described the shot as a "squiggler".[5]

Rankin was a candidate for the Hibs captaincy after Rob Jones left for Scunthorpe United in the summer of 2009.[6] New manager John Hughes decided to give the armband to Chris Hogg, however, with Ian Murray to serve as Hogg's vice captain.[7] Rankin fell out of favour under Colin Calderwood and was told in March 2011 that his contract would not be renewed.[8][9]

Dundee United

Rankin signed a two-year deal with Dundee United on 17 May 2011.[10] Rankin scored five goals for United as the team finished fourth in the 2011–12 Scottish Premier League season and qualified for the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League.[11] In June 2012, Rankin agreed an extended contract with United.[11] Rankin was appointed chairman of PFA Scotland in February 2013, replacing Jack Ross.[12] On 26 February 2014, Rankin agreed a two-year contract extension.[13] It was announced on 4 May 2016 that Rankin would be one of eight out-of contract players leaving the club at the end of the season, having not been offered a new deal.[14]

Falkirk

On 22 July 2016, Rankin signed for Falkirk,[15] having spent time training with the club.[16]

International career

Rankin represented Scotland B once, in a match against Turkey B in 2006, while he was a Ross County player.[17]

Career statistics

As of 23 July 2016[18][19]
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Ross County 2003–04 355102021406
2004–05 300312030381
2005–06 36123020214313
Total 1011771607212120
Inverness CT 2006–07 346300000376
2007–08 153003000183
Total 499303000559
Hibernian 2007–08 172200000192
2008–09 333101020373
2009–10 330302000380
2010–11 171101010201
Total 10067040301146
Dundee United 2011–12 384312020455
2012–13 352402020432
2013–14 352503000432
2014–15 302203000352
2015–16 352402000412
Total 173121811204020713
Falkirk 2016–17 0000100010
Career total 4234435226014249848

Honours

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 "Hibernian sign Rankin from Caley". BBC Sport. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  2. ↑ "John Rankin: Images of riots in Brazil reminded me of loan spell in poverty stricken Sao Paulo". Daily Record. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
  3. ↑ "Eric sorry for seeing red". BBC Sport. 4 March 2003. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  4. ↑ "Inverness CT 2–1 Rangers". BBC Sport. 26 December 2006.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Rankin practised long 'squiggler'". BBC Sport. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  6. ↑ Johnstone, Darren (18 July 2009). "Murray, Hogg and Rankin in contention for Hibs captaincy". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  7. ↑ "Hogg named new Hibernian captain". BBC Sport. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  8. ↑ Strachan, Colleen (9 March 2011). "Hibs: Stack faces months out as Rankin is told he can depart". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  9. ↑ "Hibernian to release 10 players". BBC Sport. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  10. ↑ "Former Hibs midfielder John Rankin joins Dundee United". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 May 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  11. 1 2 "Dundee United extend John Rankin contract". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  12. ↑ Newport, Andy (26 February 2013). "John Rankin appointed as PFA Scotland chairman". The Scotsman. Johnston Publishing. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  13. ↑ "RANKIN COMMITS TO 2016". Dundee United FC. 26 February 2014.
  14. ↑ McLauchlin, Brian (4 May 2016). "Dundee United: Ray McKinnon top of wanted list". BBC Sport Website. BBC. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  15. ↑ "JOHN RANKIN SIGNS FOR THE BAIRNS". Falkirk F.C. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  16. ↑ http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/football/falkirk-fc/ex-dundee-united-captain-trains-with-bairns-1-4171990
  17. ↑ "FUTURE CUP 2005". www.scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. Archived from the original on 1 July 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  18. ↑ "John Rankin Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  19. ↑ "John Rankin Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  20. ↑ "Rankin voted best in Division One". BBC Sport. 1 May 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  21. ↑ "Rankin is voted top player in SFL". BBC Sport. 9 June 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  22. ↑ "Bell's Monthly Awards for November, 2005". Scottish Professional Football League. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  23. ↑ "Bell's Monthly Awards for January, 2006". Scottish Professional Football League. 9 February 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  24. ↑ "Rankin takes young player award". BBC Sport. 13 January 2004. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
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