Liam Smith (footballer, born 1996) explained

Liam Smith
Birth Date:10 April 1996
Birth Place:Dalgety Bay, Scotland
Height:1.79m (05.87feet)[1]
Position:Right-back
Currentclub:Bohemians
Youthyears1:2006–2010
Youthclubs1:Rangers
Youthyears2:2010–2015
Youthclubs2:Heart of Midlothian
Years1:2014–2018
Clubs1:Heart of Midlothian
Caps1:30
Goals1:0
Years2:2014–2015
Clubs2:East Fife (loan)
Caps2:21
Goals2:1
Years3:2016
Clubs3:Raith Rovers (loan)
Caps3:2
Goals3:0
Years4:2017–2018
Clubs4:St Mirren (loan)
Caps4:32
Goals4:2
Years5:2018–2019
Clubs5:Ayr United
Caps5:33
Goals5:1
Years6:2019–2023
Clubs6:Dundee United
Caps6:106
Goals6:4
Years7:2023–2024
Clubs7:Cheltenham Town
Caps7:13
Goals7:0
Years8:2024
Clubs8:Grimsby Town (loan)
Caps8:11
Goals8:1
Years9:2024–
Clubs9:Bohemians
Caps9:2
Goals9:0
Nationalyears1:2015
Nationalteam1:Scotland U19
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2016–2018
Nationalteam2:Scotland U21
Nationalcaps2:12
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:14:12, 8 August 2024 (UTC)
Ntupdate:4 March 2019

Liam Smith (born 10 April 1996) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a right-back for Bohemians. He has previously played for Heart of Midlothian, East Fife, Raith Rovers, St Mirren, Ayr United, Dundee United, Cheltenham Town and Grimsby Town.

Career

Hearts

Smith began his career as a youth player at Hillfield Swifts Boys Club, before joining Rangers aged 10.[2] Having been released by Rangers aged 14, Smith joined Heart of Midlothian (Hearts).[2] Smith signed a 2-year professional contract in July 2014, extending his stay with the club until at least 2016.[3] Aged 18 he made his first team debut[4] on 20 August 2014, in the second round of the Scottish Challenge Cup away to Livingston, playing from the start in a 4–1 loss.[5] Smith made one more appearance that season before being loaned to Scottish League Two side East Fife until the end of January 2015.[6] He made his league debut on 30 August 2014, against East Stirlingshire in a 3–1 win,[7] with his first goal coming against Queen's Park on 20 September salvaging a 2–2 draw.[8] Smith's loan deal was later extended until the end of the season.[9] In all he made 23 appearances for East Fife, scoring once.

On his return to Hearts Smith made his Scottish Premiership debut on 18 October, coming on as a 71st-minute substitute against Dundee United at Tannadice Park, replacing Juwon Oshaniwa in a 1–0 win.[10]

Raith Rovers loan

On 24 September 2016, it was announced that Smith had signed on loan at Raith Rovers for a month.[11] He was recalled by Hearts on 29 October 2016.[12]

St Mirren loan

On 14 August 2017, Smith signed a season-long loan deal with Scottish Championship club St Mirren.[13] It proved to be a successful loan spell as Saints won the Scottish Championship, with Smith playing 34 games and scoring twice. Smith was also part of the PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year.[14]

Ayr United

Smith signed a one-year contract with Ayr United in August 2018.[15]

Dundee United

On 16 April 2019, Dundee United confirmed that Smith had signed a pre-contract to join the club in the summer, agreeing a two-year deal.[16] Following relegation to the Scottish Championship in the 2022–23 season, Smith was released by United at the end of the season.[17]

Cheltenham Town

On 20 July 2023, Smith signed for Cheltenham Town, following a successful trial with the club.[18]

Grimsby Town loan

On 1 February 2024, Smith joined League Two club Grimsby Town on loan until the end of the season.[19]

Bohemians

On 12 July 2024, he signed for League of Ireland Premier Division side Bohemians.[20]

Career statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague cupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Heart of Midlothian2014–15Scottish Championship0000101[21] 020
2015–16Scottish Premiership100001000110
2016–17Scottish Premiership20010103[22] 0250
2017–18Scottish Premiership0000000000
Total300103040380
East Fife (loan)2014–15Scottish League Two21100002[23] 0231
Raith Rovers (loan)2016–17Scottish Championship2000000020
St Mirren (loan)2017–18Scottish Championship322100010342
Ayr United2018–19Scottish Championship33120103[24] 0390
Dundee United2019–20Scottish Championship280203010340
2020–21Scottish Premiership301302000351
2021–22Scottish Premiership202203000252
2022–23Scottish Premiership281202000321
Total106490100101264
Cheltenham Town2023–24EFL League One130001010150
Grimsby Town (loan)2023-24EFL League Two111000000111
Bohemians2024LOI Premier Division2000000020
Career total25091301501202909

Honours

St Mirren

2017–18

Dundee United

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Liam Smith: Key Info . 5 December 2020 . dundeeunitedfc.co.uk . Dundee United F.C. . en.
  2. Web site: Hearts full-back Liam Smith loves his test of Methil . . edinburghnews.scotsman.com . 30 October 2014 . 22 October 2015.
  3. Web site: Hearts kids sign on until 2016 . . . . . heraldscotland.com . 26 July 2014 . 26 October 2015.
  4. Web site: Hearts boss hopes fans understand decision to field kids in Livi defeat . . sport.stv.tv . 21 August 2014 . 26 October 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160304092726/http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/livingston/289152-hearts-boss-hopes-fans-understand-decision-to-field-kids-in-livi-defeat/ . 4 March 2016 . dead .
  5. News: Livingston 4-1 Hearts. 22 October 2015. BBC Sport. 20 August 2014.
  6. Web site: Hearts kid Liam Smith in East Fife manager's plans . The Courier . thecourier.co.uk/ . 8 October 2014 . 26 October 2015.
  7. Web site: East Fife bounced back from defeat by Albion Rovers with a comfortable win over East Stirlingshire. . . bbc.co.uk/sport . 30 August 2014 . 26 October 2015.
  8. Web site: A late goal by defender Liam Smith snatched East Fife a point against Queen's Park at New Bayview. . . bbc.co.uk/sport . 20 September 2014 . 26 October 2015.
  9. Web site: Duo Extend Loan Deals . . heartsfc.co.uk . 9 January 2015 . 26 October 2015.
  10. Web site: Mixu Paatelainen's reign as Dundee United manager began with a hot-tempered defeat by Hearts, courtesy of Juanma's early penalty at Tannadice. . . bbc.co.uk/sport . 18 October 2015 . 26 October 2015.
  11. Web site: Liam Smith Arrives on Emergency Loan . . raithrovers.net . 24 September 2016 . 24 September 2016.
  12. Web site: RRFC Official ✔ @RaithRovers_FC . . 29 October 2016 . 29 October 2016.
  13. Web site: Liam Smith joins on loan . St Mirren FC . 14 August 2017 . 14 August 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170814175006/https://www.stmirren.com/news/club/all-news/1065-liam-smith-joins-on-loan . 14 August 2017 . dead .
  14. Web site: Good night for the Buddies at PFA Scotland Player of the Year awards. St Mirren F.C.. 2 May 2018. 14 May 2019.
  15. Web site: Smith is latest signing . Ayr United FC . 14 August 2018 . 14 August 2018.
  16. Web site: Ayr Utd full-back Liam Smith to join Dundee Utd on two-year deal. BBC Sport. Crawford. Kenny. 16 April 2019. 14 May 2019.
  17. Web site: SQUAD UPDATE DEPARTING PLAYERS . 2023-06-27 . Dundee United Football Club . en.
  18. Web site: Liam Smith becomes fifth summer signing . 2023-07-20 . www.ctfc.com . en-gb.
  19. Web site: SMITH SIGNS FOR TOWN. gtfc.co.uk. 1 February 2024. 1 February 2024.
  20. Web site: Bohemians snap up ex-Hearts and Dundee United defender. Mark. McCadden. 12 July 2024. Irish Mirror.
  21. Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup
  22. Appearances in Europa League
  23. Appearances in Scottish League Two play-offs
  24. One appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup; Two appearances in Scottish Premiership play-offs