Declan Gallagher

Declan Gallagher

Personal information
Full name	Declan Gallagher
Date of birth	13 February 1991
Place of birth	Rutherglen, Scotland
Height	1.96 m (6 ft 5 in)
Playing position	Centre-back
Club information
Current team	Livingston
Number	14
Youth career
–	Celtic
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps^†	(Gls)^†
2009–2011	Celtic	0	(0)
2010–2011	→ Stranraer (loan)	26	(3)
2011–2012	Clyde	25	(2)
2012–2014	Dundee	60	(4)
2014–	Livingston	28	(1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 11 Jun 2014. † Appearances (goals)

Declan Gallagher (born 13 February 1991) is a Scottish footballer is a centre back who plays for Livingston. Gallagher is currently being detained at Her Majesty's pleasure after being convicted of a serious attack described by the judge as a "brutal attack". He was sentenced to three years imprisonment following an appeal.^[1]

Gallagher started his career at Celtic but never made a first team appearance however he was involved in their Scottish Youth Cup triumph in 2010.^[2] He was then sent out on loan to Stranraer to gain some first team experience. Despite impressing while on loan, he was released and was signed by Clyde before moving on to join Dundee.

Early life

Gallagher was born on Wednesday, 13 February 1991 in Rutherglen, Scotland

Career

Celtic

Gallagher signed for Celtic at a young age and went on to play for the Under 19s. He became a regular in the team and played the full ninety minutes in a 2–0 victory over Rangers in the Scottish Youth Cup final.^[2]

He went out on loan to Stranraer in 2010–11.^[3] Gallagher made his senior debut in a 9–0 win over St Cuthbert in the Scottish Cup and scored his first senior goal two weeks later as Stranraer beat Queen's Park 3–1. On 20 November 2010, he scored his second goal in five matches to help Stranraer beat Girvan 4–2 in the Scottish Cup.^[4] Gallagher scored his third goal of the season against Arbroath but could not prevent them from getting beat 4–3.

Gallagher scored his final goal for Stranraer in a 3–2 loss to Montrose on 16 April 2011 and played his final game for the club as they defeated Clyde 3–0. Stranraer finished fifth, just missing out on a play-off place.^[5] Despite impressing while on loan, Gallagher was told he was not needed putting a number of clubs on alert and eventually signed for Clyde.^[6] While at Celtic, Gallagher says he trained with the Celtic's first team to "helps [my] match sharpness".^[7]

After being released by Celtic, Gallagher went on trial with Partick Thistle.^[8] According to his team-mate Nicky Riley, Gallagher left the club "for the sake of his career"^[9]

Clyde

On 9 August 2011, Gallagher signed by Clyde.^[10] Gallagher made his debut for the Bully Wee against Annan Athletic in a 2–2 draw and became a key player for Clyde. Since his debut, Gallagher would then became a key member of the squad. Gallagher scored his first goal for the club as they hammered East Stirlingshire 7–1 at Broadwood.^[11] On 21 April 2012, he scored a last minute equaliser against Peterhead. During the 2011–12 season, Gallagher missed ten games, due to his own injury concern.^[12] At the end of the season, Gallagher made 26 appearances and scored twice for Clyde.

Dundee

On 1 June 2012, Gallagher signed for newly promoted SPL club Dundee, along with Carl Finnigan after Rangers were liquidated, creating a space in the SPL. He was signed for an undisclosed fee.^[13] Upon joining Dundee, Gallagher was joined by his former team-mate, Nicky Riley.^[14] When joining Dundee, Gallagher never thought he was going to play in the Scottish Premiership and the experience playing in the SPL was "brilliant".^[15]

He made his debut in a League Cup draw against Peterhead but finished 0–0 at full-time but won on Pen, later he played in the next League Cup game at Hampden to a defeat to Queens Park.^[16] Since his debut, Gallagher become a regular first team and was paired in the central partnership with Kyle Benedictus by Manager Barry Smith.^[17] In a match against Hearts on 2 November 2012, Gallagher and Benedictus made an impressive display during the match and was praised by the Manager and his team mate Riley.^[9][18] Gallagher played against his former club, Celtic on 26 December 2012, as Dundee lost 2–0.^[19] In the last 16 of the Scottish Cup, Gallagher scored his first goal for the club, in a 5–1 win over Greenock Morton.^[20] However, Gallagher was unable to help the club survive relegation to Scottish Championship.

In his second season at Dundee, Gallagher made his own great start to the season, where he scored his first goal, in a 4–3 loss against Queen of the South in the opening game of the season.^[21] Two weeks later, on 30 August 2013, Gallagher scored again, in a 3–0 win over Livingston.^[22] He scored two goals in two matches between gameweeks 14 and 15, as Dundee beat Hamilton Academical 3–0^[23] and beating Morton 2–1.^[24]

Like his first season, Gallagher continuously remain as the first team in the central defense. However, in January, Gallagher contract talks broke down between the club and the player's agent.^[25] As a result, Gallagher was linked a move away from Dundee, "as Scottish Premiership and English League One clubs have been monitoring his situation".^[26] Gallagher rejected offers of a new contract from Dundee.^[27] and, at the end of the 2013–14 season, Gallagher was among four players to be released.^[28]

Prologue: After joining from Jim Duffy's Clyde at the beginning of the 2012–13 SPL season, Declan Gallagher broke into the first team and soon made one of positions in central defence his own. A regular in the side, he scored his one and only goal of his first season at Dens in a 5–1 Scottish Cup win over Morton. Declan was an ever present in the clubs Championship title win during his second season at Dens Park. He completed the remarkable feat of playing every minute for the club during last season, scoring four goals during the historic league winning campaign.

Livingston

Gallagher signed for Livingston in July 2014.^[29] Upon joining Livingston, Gallagher says he loved his time playing in the Scottish Premiership and Championship with Dundee and opted for Livingston once it seemed he was being forced out of Dundee. At Livingston Gallagher scored on his league debut for the club in a 2–1 away defeat to Hibs.^[30]

Family: During his time at Livingston FC Declan and his Fiance Nikki became proud parents to a daughter Shay.

Career statistics

Club

Club	Season	League		Cup		League Cup		Europe		Other		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Celtic	2009–10	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0
	2010–11	0	0	0	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0
Stranraer (loan)	2010–11	26	3	4	1	0	0	–		0	0	30	4
Stranraer Total		26	3	4	1	0	0	–		0	0	30	4
Clyde	2011–12	25	2	1	0	1	0	–		0	0	27	2
Clyde Total		25	2	1	0	1	0	–		0	0	27	2
Dundee	2012–13	24	0	2	1	1	0	–		0	0	27	1
	2013–14	35	4	3	0	2	0	–		3	0	41	4
Dundee Total		37	2	2	1	3	0	–		3	0	45	3
Career total		88	7	7	2	4	0	–		3	0	102	9

Statistics accurate as of 11 June 2014^[31]

Honours

Club

Celtic

• Scottish Youth Cup (1): 2009–10

References

1. "Ex-Dundee and Livingston footballer Declan Gallagher jailed for three years for battering man with baseball bat in brutal attack". Daily Record. 17 June 2015. Retrieved 13 February 2016.
2. "Celtic win SFA Youth cup.". BBC News. 28 April 2010.
3. "Stranraer loan hoops youngster".
4. "Stranraer appearances and goals".
5. "Division Three: Montrose 3 Stranraer 2". Daily Record. 17 April 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
6. "Clyde sign Declan Gallagher from Celtic".
7. "Scottish Cup: Training with top Celtic stars has prepared me for Motherwell, admits Stranraer loan star Declan Gallagher". Daily Record. 5 January 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
8. "Jackie says Jags will be Well fired up for next test". Glasgow Evening Times. 10 July 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
9. "Nicky Riley delighted to see Dundee new boy Declan Gallagher return to form after move from Celtic". Daily Record. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
10. "Gallagher Joins The Bully Wee". Official website. Clyde FC. 9 August 2011. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
11. "Clyde 7–1 East Stirling".
12. "Clyde decimated with long-term injuries". Evening Times. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
13. "Gallagher signs for Dundee".
14. "Dundee newboy Declan Gallagher tipped to be Dens Park star by Nicky Riley". Daily Record. 11 July 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
15. "Dundee starlet Gallagher taking things one step at a time". Evening Telegraph. 12 June 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
16. "Scottish Communities League Cup: Peterhead 0 Dundee 0 (Dundee win 4–1 on pens)". Daily Record. 31 July 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
17. "Dundee must stay upbeat, says manager Barry Smith". BBC Sport. 27 October 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
18. "Dundee boss Barry Smith praises young central defence". BBC Sport. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
19. "Dundee 0 Celtic 2: Hoops go seven points clear". Evening Times. 26 December 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
20. "Moore gutted over Ton flop". Evening Times. 4 February 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
21. "Dundee dumped at Queen of the South". Evening Telegraph (DC Thomson). 13 August 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
22. "Dundee 3–0 Livingston". BBC Sport (BBC). 30 August 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
23. "Hamilton Academical 0-3 Dundee". BBC Sport (BBC). 23 November 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
24. "Greenock Morton 1–2 Dundee". BBC Sport (BBC). 7 December 2013. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
25. "Dundee quarrel with defender Declan Gallagher's agent". BBC Sport (BBC). 23 January 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
26. "Gallagher could be on move from Dundee". Evening Telegraph (DC Thomson). 24 January 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
27. "Declan Gallagher’s days are over at Dundee after rejecting deal". Evening Telegraph (DC Thomson). 10 June 2014. Retrieved 11 June 2014.
28. "Four Leave Dens.".
29. "Livingston announce six new signings for new campaign". BBC Sport (BBC). 4 July 2014. Retrieved 4 July 2014.
30. "Hibernian 2–1 Livingston". BBC Sport. BBC. 9 August 2014. Retrieved 30 October 2014.
31. "Declan Gallagher career stats.".