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Barry Gordon George Robson (born 7 November 1978) is a Scottish
football Football is a family of team sports that involve, to varying degrees, kick (football), kicking a football (ball), ball to score a goal (sports), goal. Unqualified, football (word), the word ''football'' generally means the form of football t ...
coach and former player, who is the manager of
Scottish Championship The Scottish Championship known as the William Hill (bookmaker), William Hill Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the second tier of the Scottish Professional Football League, the league competition for men's professional association footb ...
club Raith Rovers. Robson played as a
midfielder In the sport of association football, a midfielder takes an Glossary of association football terms#O, outfield position primarily in the middle of the pitch. Midfielders may play an exclusively defensive role, breaking up attacks, and are in t ...
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 Dundee United Football Club is a Scotland, Scottish professional association football, football club based in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923. United are nickname ...
and finally
Celtic Celtic, Celtics or Keltic may refer to: Language and ethnicity *pertaining to Celts, a collection of Indo-European peoples in Europe and Anatolia **Celts (modern) *Celtic languages **Proto-Celtic language *Celtic music *Celtic nations Sports Foot ...
in his native Scotland. A move to England followed, where he spent two and a half years with
Middlesbrough Middlesbrough ( ), colloquially known as Boro, is a port town in the Borough of Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England. Lying to the south of the River Tees, Middlesbrough forms part of the Teesside Built up area, built-up area and the Tees Va ...
. Robson then moved to Canada to play for
MLS Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional soccer league in North America and the highest level of the United States soccer league system. It comprises 30 teams, with 27 in the United States and 3 in Canada, and is sanctioned by the United ...
side
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club is a Canadian professional Association football, soccer club based in Vancouver. The Whitecaps compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. The MLS ite ...
before returning to England after one season to sign for Sheffield United. Robson then returned to Scotland, joining
Aberdeen Aberdeen ( ; ; ) is a port city in North East Scotland, and is the List of towns and cities in Scotland by population, third most populous Cities of Scotland, Scottish city. Historically, Aberdeen was within the historic county of Aberdeensh ...
in summer 2013. He retired from professional football in 2016 after three seasons there. After retiring as player, Robson took 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. He was sacked a year later. Robson appeared 17 times for
Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...
between 2007 and 2012.


Club career


Early career

Robson began his professional career with Rangers, but failed to break through to the first team. 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 Oleh Volodymyrovych Kuznetsov (born as Oleg Wladimirowitsch Kuznetsow in Germany) () (born 22 March 1963) is a Ukrainian football coach and former professional player. He won domestic honours in the Soviet Union with Dynamo Kyiv (as well as the ...
. In October 1997, he signed for Inverness Caledonian Thistle, and although not always a first team regular in his early Inverness career, helped them win promotion from the Second Division in
1999 1999 was designated as the International Year of Older Persons. Events January * January 1 – The euro currency is established and the European Central Bank assumes its full powers. * January 3 – The Mars Polar Lander is launc ...
. Robson spent most of the 1999–2000 season on loan at Forfar Athletic, but thereafter returned to establish himself in the Inverness line-up.


Dundee United

Dundee United Dundee United Football Club is a Scotland, Scottish professional association football, football club based in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923. United are nickname ...
submitted a bid for Robson in May 2003 and he signed ten days later for a fee of between £50,000 and £100,000. 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. 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. He also featured in the season's Scottish Cup Final which Dundee United lost 1–0 to
Celtic Celtic, Celtics or Keltic may refer to: Language and ethnicity *pertaining to Celts, a collection of Indo-European peoples in Europe and Anatolia **Celts (modern) *Celtic languages **Proto-Celtic language *Celtic music *Celtic nations Sports Foot ...
. Robson started the 2006–07 season as United
captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...
and scored against
Falkirk Falkirk ( ; ; ) is a town in the Central Lowlands of Scotland, historically within the county of Stirlingshire. It lies in the Forth Valley, northwest of Edinburgh and northeast of Glasgow. Falkirk had a resident population of 32,422 at the ...
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, with his first career
hat-trick A hat-trick or hat trick is the achievement of a generally positive feat three times in a match, or another achievement based on the number three. Origin The term first appeared in 1858 in cricket, to describe H. H. Stephenson taking three Wick ...
following in March in a 4–0 away win against Hearts. 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.


Celtic

On the final morning of the January 2008
transfer window In association football, a transfer window is the period during the year in which a football club, club can add players to their squad who were previously under contract with another club. Such a Transfer (association football), transfer is comp ...
, 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. He signed for Celtic that evening. Robson made his Celtic debut on 10 February against
Aberdeen Aberdeen ( ; ; ) is a port city in North East Scotland, and is the List of towns and cities in Scotland by population, third most populous Cities of Scotland, Scottish city. Historically, Aberdeen was within the historic county of Aberdeensh ...
, scoring with his first touch of the ball, a free-kick into the bottom corner of the goal. He scored his second goal for Celtic on his Champions League debut against
Barcelona Barcelona ( ; ; ) is a city on the northeastern coast of Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second-most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within c ...
. An assist from Aiden McGeady allowed Robson to loop a header over Víctor Valdés, to put Celtic ahead, though they eventually lost 3–2. On 27 April, Robson scored his first
Old Firm The Old Firm is a collective name for the Scottish football clubs Celtic and Rangers, which are both based in Glasgow. The two clubs are the most successful and popular in Scotland, and the rivalry between them has become deeply embedded i ...
goal, converting a penalty which was the winning goal. 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.


Middlesbrough

Robson left Celtic in January 2010 and joined his former Celtic manager
Gordon Strachan Gordon David Strachan ( born 9 February 1957) is a Scottish former football coach and player who is currently Technical Director of Dundee. He played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds United and Coventry City, as well as the Sc ...
at
Middlesbrough Middlesbrough ( ), colloquially known as Boro, is a port town in the Borough of Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England. Lying to the south of the River Tees, Middlesbrough forms part of the Teesside Built up area, built-up area and the Tees Va ...
along with teammates Willo Flood, Scott McDonald and Chris Killen. He was sent off on his home debut against
Bristol City Bristol City Football Club is a professional football club based in Bristol, England. The team compete in the , the second level of the English football league system. Founded in 1894, the club competed in the Southern League and Western L ...
. 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. His form continued as he scored two penalties against QPR on 27 February at the Riverside. He scored again in the Tyne-Tees derby against Newcastle on 13 March. 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. Robson scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season in a 3–1 victory over Barnsley on 16 August 2011. On 21 August 2011, he scored the equaliser from a free kick in Middlesbrough's 3–1 win over Birmingham City. He followed this, three days later, by hitting his team's opener after four minutes in a 2–0 victory over Peterborough United in the second round of the League Cup. 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. Robson scored a goal from 35 yards in the 87th minute, to give Middlesbrough a vital 1–0 home victory over Hull City on 26 December 2011. On 29 January 2012, Robson scored a left footed volley against
Sunderland Sunderland () is a port City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England. It is a port at the mouth of the River Wear on the North Sea, approximately south-east of Newcastle upon Tyne. It is the most p ...
at the
Stadium of Light The Stadium of Light is an all-seater football stadium in Sunderland, England, and the eighth and current home to Sunderland. With space for 49,000 spectators, the Stadium of Light is the ninth largest football stadium in England. The ...
. This forced an
FA Cup The Football Association Challenge Cup, more commonly known as the FA Cup, is an annual Single-elimination tournament, knockout association football, football competition in domestic Football in England, English football. First played during ...
fourth round replay at the
Riverside Stadium The Riverside Stadium is a football stadium in Middlesbrough, England, which has been the home of Middlesbrough since its opening in 1995. It has an all-seated capacity of 34,742, although provisional planning permission is in place to expan ...
. Following an injury to club captain Matthew Bates, Robson was giving the captain's armband until the end of his final season at the Riverside. In April, Robson was announced as the Player of the Year by the Middlesbrough Supporters' Club for the 2011–12 season. On 28 April 2012, Robson played in a 2–1 loss against
Watford Watford () is a town and non-metropolitan district with Borough status in the United Kingdom, borough status in Hertfordshire, England, northwest of Central London, on the banks of the River Colne, Hertfordshire, River Colne. Initially a smal ...
on the last day of the season, setting up Marvin Emnes for Boro's solitary goal. 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 Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club is a Canadian professional Association football, soccer club based in Vancouver. The Whitecaps compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. The MLS ite ...
as one of their two available Designated Players. Robson made his Whitecaps debut in a 1–0 away victory against the
Colorado Rapids The Colorado Rapids are an American professional Association football, soccer club based in the Denver metropolitan area. The Rapids compete in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. Founded in ...
, and in his home debut, scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with
Los Angeles Galaxy The Los Angeles Galaxy are an American professional Association football, soccer club based in the Greater Los Angeles area. The club competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) as a member of the Western Conference (MLS), Western Conference. The Gal ...
. 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.


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. 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. 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 Colchester United Football Club is a professional association football club based in the city of Colchester, Essex, England. The team competes in , the fourth level of the English football league system. Founded in 1937, the club spent its ea ...
a few weeks later. 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. Robson left United having made eighteen appearances and scored two goals.


Aberdeen

In June 2013, Robson signed a pre-contract agreement with his home town club
Aberdeen Aberdeen ( ; ; ) is a port city in North East Scotland, and is the List of towns and cities in Scotland by population, third most populous Cities of Scotland, Scottish city. Historically, Aberdeen was within the historic county of Aberdeensh ...
, and made his debut in their first game of the season, a 2–1 victory over
Kilmarnock Kilmarnock ( ; ; , ), meaning "the church of Mernóc", is a town and former burgh in East Ayrshire situated in southwest Scotland. The town has served as the administrative centre of East Ayrshire Council since 1996 and is the region's main ...
. 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. He signed a new one-year contract with Aberdeen on 15 May 2014. Robson retired from professional football at the end of the 2015–16 season; he then took up a coaching position with Aberdeen.


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. Robson played in the Scotland Future team in March 2006. In August 2007, Robson received his first full international call-up when selected for the friendly against
South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. Its Provinces of South Africa, nine provinces are bounded to the south by of coastline that stretches along the Atlantic O ...
, making his début as a second-half substitute. He was subsequently called up for the following squad in September 2007 for the double-header against
Lithuania Lithuania, officially the Republic of Lithuania, is a country in the Baltic region of Europe. It is one of three Baltic states and lies on the eastern shore of the Baltic Sea, bordered by Latvia to the north, Belarus to the east and south, P ...
and
France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
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 Iceland is a Nordic countries, Nordic island country between the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between North America and Europe. It is culturally and politically linked with Europe and is the regi ...
in unusual circumstances. After James McFadden's second-half
penalty kick A penalty shot or penalty kick is a play used in several sports whereby a goal is attempted during untimed play. Depending on the sport, when a player commits certain types of penalties, the opposition is awarded a penalty shot or kick attempt. ...
was saved, both players chased the rebound. Though it appeared that McFadden touched the ball over the line, the goal was officially awarded to Robson. The SFA lobbied on McFadden's behalf, and in March 2009
FIFA The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (), more commonly known by its acronym FIFA ( ), is the international self-regulatory governing body of association football, beach soccer, and futsal. It was founded on 21 May 1904 to o ...
re-credited the goal to McFadden.


Coaching career


Aberdeen

On 14 February 2022, Robson was appointed as caretaker manager of
Aberdeen Aberdeen ( ; ; ) is a port city in North East Scotland, and is the List of towns and cities in Scotland by population, third most populous Cities of Scotland, Scottish city. Historically, Aberdeen was within the historic county of Aberdeensh ...
following the sacking of
Stephen Glass Stephen Randall Glass (born September 15, 1972) is a former American journalist. He worked for ''The New Republic'' from 1995 to 1998 until an internal investigation by the magazine determined the majority of stories he wrote either contained f ...
, being temporarily promoted from his role with the U18s. Robson oversaw one match during his interim spell in charge, a 1–1 draw with St Johnstone, before the club made the permanent appointment of Jim Goodwin. Robson was again put in caretaker charge of Aberdeen in January 2023, following the sacking of Jim Goodwin. Aberdeen confirmed on 29 March that Robson would continue as manager at least until the end of the 2022–23 season. Following a run of seven consecutive wins that pushed Aberdeen into third place in the
2022–23 Scottish Premiership The 2022–23 Scottish Premiership (known as the Cinch (company), cinch Premiership for sponsorship reasons) was the tenth season of the Scottish Premiership, the highest division of Football in Scotland, Scottish football, and the 126th edition ...
, Robson signed a two-year contract to continue as manager on 1 May 2023. On 31 January 2024, Robson was sacked by Aberdeen with the team sitting eighth in the 2023–24 Scottish Premiership.


Raith Rovers

On 29th December 2024 Robson was announced as the new manager of
Scottish Championship The Scottish Championship known as the William Hill (bookmaker), William Hill Championship for sponsorship reasons, is the second tier of the Scottish Professional Football League, the league competition for men's professional association footb ...
side Raith Rovers on a two and a half year deal. Robson was Rovers' third manager of the season following the dismissal of Ian Murray just one game in to the season and his replacement
Neill Collins Neill William Collins (born 2 September 1983) is a Scottish football manager and former player who is the head coach of USL Championship club Sacramento Republic. Collins is a former Scotland U21 and Scotland B international who played as a ...
leaving for Sacramento Republic after 15 games in charge.


Career statistics


Club


International


Managerial statistics

* 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.


Honours

Celtic *
Scottish Premier League The Scottish Premier League (SPL) was the Scottish football league system, top-level league competition for professional Association football, football clubs in Scotland. The league was founded in 1998, when it broke away from the Scottish Foo ...
: 2007–08 *
Scottish League Cup The Scottish League Cup, also known as the Premier Sports Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a football competition open to all Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) clubs. First held in 1946–47, it is the oldest national League cup in ...
: 2008–09 Aberdeen *
Scottish League Cup The Scottish League Cup, also known as the Premier Sports Cup for sponsorship reasons, is a football competition open to all Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) clubs. First held in 1946–47, it is the oldest national League cup in ...
: 2013–14 Individual *
Middlesbrough Middlesbrough ( ), colloquially known as Boro, is a port town in the Borough of Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire, England. Lying to the south of the River Tees, Middlesbrough forms part of the Teesside Built up area, built-up area and the Tees Va ...
Player of the Year: 2011–12


References


External links

* * * *
International profile at ''Sporting-Heroes.net''Profile at Dundee United FC Historical ArchiveProfile and stats
at ''AFC Heritage Trust''
Player profile
at ''The Celtic Wiki'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Robson, Barry 1978 births People from Inverurie Footballers from Aberdeenshire Living people Men's association football midfielders Scottish men's footballers Scottish expatriate men's footballers Scotland men's B international footballers Scotland men's international footballers Rangers F.C. players Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C. players Forfar Athletic F.C. players Dundee United F.C. players Celtic F.C. players Middlesbrough F.C. players Vancouver Whitecaps FC players Sheffield United F.C. players Aberdeen F.C. players Expatriate men's soccer players in Canada Scottish expatriate sportspeople in Canada Scottish Premier League players Scottish Football League players English Football League players Major League Soccer players Designated Players (MLS) Scottish Professional Football League players Aberdeen F.C. non-playing staff Scottish Professional Football League managers Aberdeen F.C. managers Raith Rovers F.C. managers