John Rankin (footballer)

John Rankin (born 27 June 1983) is a Scottish former footballer, who played as a central midfielder. Rankin has previously played for Ross County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Hibernian, Dundee United, Falkirk, Queen of the South and Clyde. Rankin also played once for a Scotland B team, in 2006.

John Rankin
Personal information
Full name John Rankin
Date of birth (1983-06-27) 27 June 1983
Place of birth Bellshill, Scotland
Playing position(s) Central Midfielder
Youth career
Rangers SABC[1]
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)
2016–2017 Falkirk 13 (0)
2017–2018 Queen of the South 51 (2)
2018–2020 Clyde 35 (9)
Total 522 (55)
National team‡
2006 Scotland B 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 13:54, 26 June 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 30 June 2011

Playing career

Early career

Rankin started his career at English Premier League club Manchester United but did not make any first team appearances.[2] Whilst at the Red Devils, he was loaned out to Corinthians, along with Ben Muirhead by Alex Ferguson, so to gain experience before returning to Manchester United. However, his time there was a disaster, as he explained about how both players struggled for food whilst 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.

Rankin 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.[3]

Rankin was released by Manchester United in June 2003.[4] After unsuccessful trials with a number of Scottish Premier League clubs [5] Rankin signed for Scottish First Division club Ross County in 2003 and played in 101 league matches for the Dingwall club and scored 17 goals. Rankin also received two league Player of the Year awards.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Rankin 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. Rankin played in 49 league matches and scored 9 goals for the Caley Jags that included a stunning last minute winner versus Rangers on 27 December 2006.[6]

Hibernian

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

Rankin was a candidate for the Hibs captaincy after Rob Jones left for Scunthorpe United in the summer of 2009.[8] New manager John Hughes decided to give the armband to Chris Hogg, however, with Ian Murray to serve as Hogg's vice captain.[9] Rankin fell out of favour under Colin Calderwood and was told in March 2011 that his contract would not be renewed.[10][11] Rankin played in 100 league matches for the Hibees and scored 6 goals.

Dundee United

Rankin signed a two-year contract with Dundee United on 17 May 2011.[12] He 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.[13] In June 2012, Rankin agreed an extended contract with United.[13] He was appointed chairman of PFA Scotland in February 2013, replacing Jack Ross.[14] On 26 February 2014, Rankin agreed a two-year contract extension.[15] On 4 May 2016 it was announced that he would be one of eight out-of-contract players leaving the club at the end of the season, having not been offered a new contract.[16] Rankin played in 173 league matches for Dundee United and scored 12 goals.

Falkirk

On 22 July 2016, Rankin signed for Falkirk,[17] having spent time training with the club.[18] Rankin left Falkirk on 5 January 2017 after the club agreed to terminate his contract.[19] Rankin played in 13 league matches for the Bairns without scoring any goals.

Queen of the South

On 5 January 2017, Rankin joined Queen of the South on an 18-month contract, until the end of the 2017–18 season.[20][21] Rankin was appointed Queens' club captain by recently appointed manager Gary Naysmith before the league match at St Mirren on 7 January 2017, taking over from previous captain Chris Higgins.[22]

In March 2017, Rankin was appointed as the Under-17s coach at Heart of Midlothian, which he combined with his playing duties at the Doonhamers.[23] Rankin relinquished his position as chairman of PFA Scotland in February 2018 [24] and he departed the Dumfries club at the end of the 2017-18 season.[25] Rankin played in 51 league matches for the Doonhamers and scored two goals.

Clyde

On 9 June 2018, Rankin signed a one-year contract with his local club Clyde.[26]

He was nominated for SPFL goal of the month for in successive months.[27][28]

Rankin suffered a broken ankle in the penultimate league match of the season and missed the play-offs,[29] but the club still won promotion to League One.[30] At the PFA Scotland awards, he was shortlisted for Player of the Year and named in the Team of the Year for League Two.[31]

During the 2018–19 sesson, Rankin scored nine goals in 39 appearances.[32]

International career

Rankin represented Scotland B, in a match versus Turkey B in 2006, when he was a Ross County player.[33]

Career statistics
As of 8 March 2020[34][35]
Club Season League Scottish 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 130002020170
Total 130002020170
Queen of the South 2016–17 171000000171
2017-18 341304030441
Total 512304030612
Clyde 2018-19 359103000399
2019-20 7110000081
Total 42102030004710
Career total 5295640234019262260

Honours

Individual

References
  1. "SABC continue to create stars for the future". Youth Football Scotland. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
  2. "Hibernian sign Rankin from Caley". BBC Sport. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  3. "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.
  4. Davies, Simon (3 June 2003). "Roche released". ManUtd.com. Manchester United Football Club. Archived from the original on 17 December 2005. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
  5. "Eric sorry for seeing red". BBC Sport. 4 March 2003. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
  6. "Inverness CT 2–1 Rangers". BBC Sport. 26 December 2006.
  7. "Rankin practised long 'squiggler'". BBC Sport. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  8. Johnstone, Darren (18 July 2009). "Murray, Hogg and Rankin in contention for Hibs captaincy". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  9. "Hogg named new Hibernian captain". BBC Sport. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  10. Strachan, Colleen (9 March 2011). "Hibs: Stack faces months out as Rankin is told he can depart". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
  11. "Hibernian to release 10 players". BBC Sport. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
  12. "Former Hibs midfielder John Rankin joins Dundee United". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 May 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  13. "Dundee United extend John Rankin contract". BBC Sport. BBC. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
  14. Newport, Andy (26 February 2013). "John Rankin appointed as PFA Scotland chairman". The Scotsman. Johnston Publishing. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
  15. "RANKIN COMMITS TO 2016". Dundee United FC. 26 February 2014.
  16. McLauchlin, Brian (4 May 2016). "Dundee United: Ray McKinnon top of wanted list". BBC Sport Website. BBC. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
  17. "JOHN RANKIN SIGNS FOR THE BAIRNS". Falkirk F.C. 22 July 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  18. http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/sport/football/falkirk-fc/ex-dundee-united-captain-trains-with-bairns-1-4171990
  19. "John Rankin departs". Falkirk FC. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  20. "Rankin joins the ranks". Queen of the South FC. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  21. "John Rankin leaves Falkirk to join Queen of the South". BBC Sport. BBC. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
  22. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/st-mirren-0-queen-south-9580613
  23. http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/hearts-coaching-roles-for-john-rankin-and-dale-carrick-1-4405506
  24. "John Rankin". PFA Scotland. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
  25. "Manager Thanks Players As Rebuild Begins". Queen of the South FC. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
  26. "NEW SIGNING: John Rankin". Clyde FC. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
  27. "VOTE: DECEMBER GOAL OF THE MONTH". SPFL. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  28. "VOTE FOR GOAL OF THE MONTH!". Clyde FC. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  29. "Rankin Suffers Broken Ankle". Clyde FC. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  30. "Clyde 2-0 Annan Athletic (agg 2-1)". Clyde FC. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  31. "Clyde quartet make PFA Scotland Team of the Year". Cumbernauld News. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  32. "Team Statistics". Clyde FC. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
  33. "FUTURE CUP 2005". www.scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. Archived from the original on 1 July 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
  34. "John Rankin Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  35. "John Rankin Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  36. "Rankin voted best in Division One". BBC Sport. 1 May 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  37. "Rankin is voted top player in SFL". BBC Sport. 9 June 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  38. "Bell's Monthly Awards for November, 2005". Scottish Professional Football League. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  39. "Bell's Monthly Awards for January, 2006". Scottish Professional Football League. 9 February 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
  40. "Rankin takes young player award". BBC Sport. 13 January 2004. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
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