Craig Wighton

Craig Wighton
Personal information
Full name Craig Wighton
Date of birth (1997-07-27) 27 July 1997
Place of birth Dundee, Scotland
Playing position Forward
Club information
Current team
 Dundee
Number 33
Youth career
2012–2013 Dundee
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2013– Dundee 46 (5)
2014–2015 → Brechin City (loan) 4 (2)
2015–2016 → Raith Rovers (loan) 21 (1)
National team‡
2012 Scotland U15 1 (0)
2013 Scotland U16 3 (0)
2013– Scotland U17 13 (6)

* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 3 May 2016.
† Appearances (goals)

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19 May 2014

Craig Wighton (born 27 July 1997) is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays as a forward for Dundee in the Scottish Premiership.

Club career

Dundee

While attending Harris Academy, Wighton was snapped by Dundee under the management of Barry Smith, the team he supported as a boy.[1] He came through the same training clinic, run by Ian Cathro, as fellow Scottish prospects Ryan Gauld and John Souttar. Wighton revealed he turned down a move to local rivals Dundee United, as his family are Dundee supporters.[2] While growing up, Wighton initially played out wide before joining Dundee, who then moved him into the striker position.[3]

In the 2012–13 season, Manager John Brown said that if Wighton continued his form at youth level he could soon make the first team, which could mean becoming the club's youngest-ever first-team player, surpassing Andy Penman who held the record.[1] However, his first team debut for the club was delayed due to SPL rules.[4] Despite interest from elsewhere,[5] Wighton signed his first professional contract on his 16th birthday.[6] After signing a professional contract, he left school to concentrate on his football career.[7]

In the 2013–14 season, Wighton made his debut for the club, coming on as a substitute for Craig Beattie in the 81st minute, as Dundee beat Cowdenbeath 2–0 on 5 October 2013.[8] In his second appearance, Wighton set up two goals as Dundee beat Dumbarton 4–1 on 12 October 2013.[9] He then made his first start for the club, as Dundee beat Queen of the South 2–1 on 19 October 2013.[10]

He became the youngest-ever scorer in a competitive game for Dundee at the age of 16 years, three months and 13 days on 9 November 2013, beating the record held by Jocky Scott, scoring a goal in a 2–0 win against Raith Rovers.[11] His second goal came on 14 April 2014, when he scored after six minutes, as Dundee beat Cowdenbeath 4–0.[12] Throughout his debut season he regularly contributed in the Dundee first team, making a total of 14 appearances and scoring two goals for the club, in all competitions[13] as Dundee won the Scottish Championship. Throughout the season Wighton was linked with a move to Premier League clubs and Rangers.[14][15]

At the end of the 2013–14 season, the club's manager Paul Hartley said he may consider loaning out Wighton to gain first team experience with the hope he could "do a Stevie May," the striker who Hartley had on loan at Alloa Athletic from St Johnstone in 2011–12 and had gone on to be a first team regular in the Scottish Premiership, earning a move to Sheffield Wednesday.[16]

On 16 August 2014, Wighton scored his first Premiership goal as Dundee drew 1–1 with Partick Thistle,[17] although afterwards, Hartley said he didn't want to talk too much about Wighton, but did announce he had signed a new three-year contract.[18] As a result of his performance, the club decided not to send Wighton on loan.[19]

On 18 December 2014, Wighton moved on a short-term loan to Brechin City.[20] After making his debut as a substitute he went on to score two in three starting appearances.

On 23 June 2015, after much speculation it was finally confirmed that Wighton had joined Raith Rovers on a six-month loan deal.[21] On 3 January 2016, it was confirmed that following Wighton's loan spell at Raith Rovers he had returned to Dundee.[22]

Style of Play

His then team-mate at Dundee, Gavin Rae said Wighton's playing style reminds him of Aaron Ramsey, who Rae played alongside in his time at Cardiff City.[23] Then assistant Manager Ray Farningham described Wighton as "one of the top young prospects in the Scottish game."[24]

International career

Wighton represented the Scotland Under-15 side once and also played for the Under-16's.[25]

He was chosen to be part of the Scotland Under-17 squad for the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.[26] On 34 September 2013, Wighton scored a hat-trick (the first in his professional career), as Scotland beat Slovenia Under-17 3–1.[27] Scotland made it through to the semi-final, however they were eliminated from the competition as they lost 5–0 to the Netherlands.[28]

Career statistics

As of 20 March 2016
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Dundee 2013–14 132001000142
2014–15 141100000151
2015–16 5020000070
Total 323301000363
Brechin City (loan) 2014–15 4200000042
Raith Rovers (loan) 2015–16 161003020211
Career total 525304020595

Honours

Dundee

Winner

References

  1. 1 2 "John Brown: Wighton could join line-up". Evening Telegraph. 29 March 2013. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  2. ↑ McLean, Euan (26 March 2014). "Dundee starlet Craig Wighton reveals why he had to snub move to Tannadice". Daily Record. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  3. ↑ Kell, Tom (10 May 2014). "Wighton on his and Scotland's learning curve". UEFA.com. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Kennedy, Liam (26 April 2013). "Dundee FC put contract talks on hold". Evening Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  5. ↑ "Dundee boss confident of keeping young star". The Courier. 26 April 2013. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  6. ↑ Kennedy, Liam (6 June 2013). "Bomber: Youngsters will get a chance". Evening Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2013.
  7. ↑ Robertson, Neil (7 March 2014). "Dundee boss keen for Craig Wighton to develop at Dens". The Courier. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  8. ↑ Flynn, Stephen (8 October 2013). "Wighton staking claim for spot in Dundee team". Evening Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  9. ↑ Kennedy, Liam (14 October 2013). "MacDonald the main man as Dundee trounce Dumbarton". Evening Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  10. ↑ "Craig Wighton set for first Dundee start". Evening Telegraph. 18 October 2013. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  11. ↑ Duthie, Tom (14 November 2013). "Sweet 16: Dundee's youngest scorers". eveningtelegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  12. ↑ "Match Report: Dundee 4 – 0 Cowdenbeath". BBC Sport. 12 April 2014. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  13. ↑ "soccerway". soccerway.com. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  14. ↑ Kennedy, Liam (10 October 2013). "Swansea and Sunderland eye up Dundee teen Wighton". Evening Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  15. ↑ Duthie, Tom (28 November 2013). "Arsenal keep Dundee and United kids in their sights". Evening Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  16. ↑ Robertson, Neil (22 May 2014). "Dundee may send Craig Wighton to do a Stevie May". The Courier. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  17. ↑ Crawford, Kenny (16 August 2014). "Dundee 1–1 Partick Thistle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  18. ↑ Crawford, Kenny (16 August 2014). "Craig Wighton: Dundee manager tries not to overhype youngster". BBC Sport. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  19. ↑ "Dundee scrap plans to send Craig Wighton on loan". Daily Express. 19 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  20. ↑ "WIGHTON JOINS BRECHIN ON LOAN". Dundee F.C. 18 December 2014. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2014.
  21. ↑ "WIGHTON JOINS RAITH ON LOAN". Dundee F.C. 23 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 23 June 2015.
  22. ↑ "WIGHTON RETURNS FROM LOAN". Dundee F.C. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2016.
  23. ↑ Flynn, Stephen (13 November 2013). "Young Dundee star reminds Rae of Arsenal top man Ramsey". Evening Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  24. ↑ Duthie, Tom (4 December 2013). "Wighton's confidence won't be knocked". Evening Telegraph. Archived from the original on 5 July 2015. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  25. ↑ "Craig Wighton player profile". Scottish FA. Retrieved 16 August 2014.
  26. ↑ "Scotland U17 squad named for Euro elite round". scottishfa.co.uk. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  27. ↑ "Slovenia U17 1 Scotland U17 3: Hat-trick for Dundee striker Craig Wighton". The Courier. 24 September 2013. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  28. ↑ Stewart, Craig P. (19 May 2014). "Netherlands 5–0 Scotland: Positives for U-17s". The Scotsman. Retrieved 16 August 2014.

External links

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