Nacho Novo
{{Short description|Spanish footballer (born 1979)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{distinguish|Nancho Novo}}
{{family name hatnote|Gómez|Novo|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Nacho Novo
| image = Nacho Novo.jpg
| upright =
| caption = Novo warming up for Rangers in 2009
| full_name = Ignacio Javier Gómez Novo
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|3|26|df=y}}
| birth_place = Ferrol, Spain
| position = Forward
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 =
| years1 = 1997–1998
| clubs1 = Racing Ferrol
| caps1 = 1
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1998–1999
| clubs2 = Somozas
| caps2 = 35
| goals2 = 16
| years3 = 1999–2001
| clubs3 = Huesca
| caps3 = 38
| goals3 = 22
| years4 = 2001–2002
| clubs4 = Raith Rovers
| caps4 = 33
| goals4 = 18
| years5 = 2002–2004
| clubs5 = Dundee
| caps5 = 71
| goals5 = 26
| years6 = 2004–2010
| clubs6 = Rangers
| caps6 = 179
| goals6 = 47
| years7 = 2010–2012
| clubs7 = Sporting Gijón
| caps7 = 71
| goals7 = 7
| years8 = 2012
| clubs8 = Legia Warsaw
| caps8 = 11
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2012–2013
| clubs9 = Huesca
| caps9 = 34
| goals9 = 6
| years10 = 2013
| clubs10 = Greenock Morton
| caps10 = 8
| goals10 = 1
| years11 = 2014
| clubs11 = Carlisle United
| caps11 = 6
| goals11 = 0
| years12 = 2014–2016
| clubs12 = Carolina Railhawks
| caps12 = 33
| goals12 = 14
| years13 = 2016–2017
| clubs13 = Glentoran
| caps13 = 23
| goals13 = 3
| totalcaps = 543
| totalgoals = 159
| manageryears1 = 2022–2023
| managerclubs1 = Lexington SC U-23
| manageryears2 = 2023
| managerclubs2 = Lexington SC (interim)
}}
Ignacio Javier Gómez Novo ({{IPA|es|iɣˈnaθjo xaˈβjeɾ ˈnatʃo ˈɣomeθ ˈnoβo}};In isolation, Gómez is pronounced {{IPA|es|ˈɡomeθ|}}. born 26 March 1979) is a Spanish former professional footballer who played as a forward. Novo was an assistant coach and served as the interim head coach for the final 5 matches of the 2023 season for USL League One side Lexington SC, as well as the head coach for the club's U23 team.
He transferred from Huesca to Scottish club Raith Rovers in 2001 and Dundee a year later. In July 2004, he moved to Rangers for £450,000. During his first season at the club he scored 25 goals and won a league and League Cup double. He had to wait four years before lifting the league championship again in the 2008–09 season, where he also scored the winning goal in the 2009 Scottish Cup Final which won him his second double with the Ibrox club.
Following his time at Rangers, he had several short spells at clubs in Spain, Poland, Scotland, England, the United States and Northern Ireland.
Early life
Novo was born in Ferrol, Galicia. His father, Ricardo Gómez Varela, was a centre half known as Richard who spent one year at Real Betis.{{cite news|last1=Rosety|first1=M.|title=El precedente bético de Novo|url=http://sporting.elcomercio.es/noticias/2012-01-08/precedente-betico-novo-20120108.html|access-date=8 January 2018|work=El Comercio|date=8 January 2018|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180108120444/http://sporting.elcomercio.es/noticias/2012-01-08/precedente-betico-novo-20120108.html|archive-date=8 January 2018|url-status=dead}}
Club career
=Raith Rovers=
Novo joined Raith Rovers from Huesca in July 2001.{{ Cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/raith_rovers/1376868.stm | title=Raith's summer ins and outs |work=BBC Sport |date=4 August 2001}} He made a scoring debut against Airdrieonians on 4 August, and netted the winner during a Challenge Cup match against Alloa Athletic three days later.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/1478418.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=East Fife 2–3 Raith Rovers|date=7 August 2001}} Novo saw himself sent off in only his third match for Raith, whilst playing against Partick Thistle.
Despite this setback he went on to score consistently in the Scottish First Division, netting doubles against St Mirren and twice against Falkirk. Novo accumulated a total of 22 goals in 38 appearances during his first season in Scotland.
=Dundee=
His goal scoring record attracted the attention of Scottish Premier League club Dundee who signed him for £100,000 in July 2002.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/2092841.stm|work=BBC Sport |title=Dundee sign Novo|date=4 July 2002}} He made his Scottish Premier League debut on 3 August 2002 in a 1–1 draw with Hearts. Novo scored his first and second goals for the club against Dunfermline Athletic on 17 August but was sent-off in the dying moments of the match for raising his foot at Pars defender Scott Wilson.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/2196273.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Crawford dumps Dundee|date=17 August 2002}} He went on to score a further seven goals to end the season with a tally of nine.
His second season saw Novo return to form, scoring four goals in the UEFA Cup, including one against then Serie A outfit Perugia,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/3131636.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Heartache for Dundee|date=24 September 2003}} helped him to an end of season tally of 25. This form attracted the interest of several clubs including Celtic and Rangers.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/3753687.stm|work=BBC Sport |title=Celtic make Novo inquiry|date=15 June 2004}} Celtic had a £500,000 bid accepted but failed to agree terms the player, stating Novo didn't have the "necessary level of commitment" during signing talks.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/3849817.stm|work=BBC Sport |title=Celtic drop Novo interest|date=15 June 2004}}
=Rangers=
File:Nacho Novo - 2009 Emirates Cup.jpg
Novo signed for Rangers on 6 July 2004 for a reported fee of £450,000.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/3856045.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Rangers sign Novo|date=6 July 2004}} He was allocated the number 10 shirt that had been vacated by Michael Mols. In his first season at the club he scored 25 goals, including the goal against Hibernian that won Rangers the league title.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/4565709.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Hibernian 0–1 Rangers |date=22 May 2005}} He made his debut for Rangers in a Scottish Premier League match away to Aberdeen on 7 August 2004.{{ Cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/3538018.stm |title=Aberdeen 0–0 Rangers |work=BBC Sport |date=7 August 2004}} His first goal came in his second appearance, netting in Rangers' 2–1 loss to Russian side CSKA Moscow on 10 August.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/3549676.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=CSKA Moscow 2–1 Rangers|date=10 August 2004}}
Following his first goal, Novo failed to score in his next eight appearances and he was dropped from the starting eleven. He came on as a 66th-minute substitute in a league match against his former employers Dundee. Novo netted two goals in as many minutes which helped Rangers to a 2–0 victory,{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/3684224.stm |title=Dundee 0–2 Rangers |work= BBC Sport |date=26 September 2004}} after which he was a regular in the side.
At the start of the 2005–06 season, Novo broke his fifth metatarsal,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/4279496.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Novo could be out for two months|date=26 September 2005}} which ruled him out for several months. Upon his return from injury he failed to score in the twenty matches he played the rest of that season, being deployed more as a winger than a striker due to the form of Kris Boyd. His three goals had come against Celtic, Falkirk and Cypriot club Anorthosis Famagusta.
With the departure of Alex McLeish and the arrival of Frenchman Paul Le Guen, Novo looked set to leave Rangers. However, a proposed transfer to English First Division club Coventry City fell through on transfer deadline day.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/5303974.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=No go for Novo move to Coventry|date=31 August 2006}} Novo initially found his appearances sporadic, featuring in the first game of the season then waiting seven weeks for his second but after a mixture of poor results, injuries and his good performances for the reserves Novo returned to the first team. His first goal of that season, and in over a year, was during a 3–2 UEFA Cup win over Livorno on 19 October 2006.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6050936.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Livorno 2–3 Rangers|date=19 October 2006}} The following match, Novo came off the bench to score a late winner against St Mirren in a 3–2 win.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/6069510.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=St Mirren 2–3 Rangers |date=22 October 2006}} He then started the next game, Motherwell held Rangers to a 1–1 draw with Novo named Man of the Match. His rejuvenated form continued with goals against Heart of Midlothian,{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/6157788.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Hearts 0–1 Rangers|date=19 November 2006}} Maccabi Haifa{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6106436.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Rangers 2–0 Maccabi Haifa |date=2 November 2006}} and AJ Auxerre.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6161154.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Auxerre 2–2 Rangers |date=23 November 2006}} Novo continued to be a regular when Le Guen was replaced with Walter Smith.
The signings of strikers in the summer of 2007 led to increased competition for attacking positions and most of Novo's appearances in the early months of the season were as a substitute. On 20 October, he started the first Old Firm derby match of the season and scored twice in a 3–0 victory for Rangers over Celtic.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7051963.stm|title=Rangers 3–0 Celtic|work=BBC Sport|date=20 October 2007}} On 2 December 2007, it was reported that Rangers were willing to offer Novo a one-year extension to his current contract, which was to expire in July 2008.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7123774.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Rangers to offer Novo new deal |date=2 December 2007}} However, Novo said that he would leave the club if he was not offered a longer contract. He was later offered a two-year contract extension until the summer of 2010, and signed the deal on 21 December 2007.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7155899.stm|title=Novo agrees new Rangers contract|work=BBC Sport|date=21 December 2007}}
On 1 May 2008, he scored the winning penalty in the semi-final shoot-out against Fiorentina which put Rangers through to the 2008 UEFA Cup Final.{{cite news|last=Gray|first=Lisa|title=Fiorentina 0 Rangers 0 (aet; Rangers win 4–2 on pens): Novo holds nerve to shoot 10-man Rangers into final|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fiorentina-0-rangers-0-iaet-rangers-win-42-on-pensi-novo-holds-nerve-to-shoot-10man-rangers-into-final-819806.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220618/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/fiorentina-0-rangers-0-iaet-rangers-win-42-on-pensi-novo-holds-nerve-to-shoot-10man-rangers-into-final-819806.html |archive-date=18 June 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Independent|access-date=6 November 2013|date=2 May 2008}} During the 2007–08 season Novo was sent off twice, both in league games before cup finals, meaning that he missed both the 2008 League Cup final{{cite news|title=Novo misses final after red card|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7287275.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=6 November 2013|date=10 March 2008}} and the 2008 Scottish Cup final{{cite web|title=Suspended Rangers striker Novo to miss Scottish Cup Final|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/suspended-rangers-striker-novo-to-miss-scottish-cup-final-6623936.html|work=London Evening Standard|access-date=6 November 2013|date=23 May 2008}} through suspension.
The 2008–09 season saw Novo used almost exclusively as a substitute. He came off the bench in the 2009 Scottish Cup Final to score the winning goal after only being on the field for 28 seconds.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/8072822.stm |title=Rangers 1–0 Falkirk |work=BBC Sport |date=30 May 2009}}
During what turned out to be his final season with Rangers, he won both the league and Scottish League Cup, scoring nine times, but was mainly used as a substitute, starting just 14 league games. Novo decided not to sign a new contract as he was not getting enough starting opportunities.{{ Cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8675578.stm| title=Rangers forward Nacho Novo ponders next move |work=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2010 }}
On 30 March 2014, Novo was inducted into the Rangers Hall of Fame along with Fernando Ricksen and Lee McCulloch{{cite web|url=http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/6649-fame-awards-for-trio|title=Fame Awards For Trio|publisher=rangers.co.uk|access-date=5 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123619/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/6649-fame-awards-for-trio|archive-date=24 September 2015}}
=Sporting de Gijón=
In May 2010, Novo moved to La Liga side Sporting de Gijón, on a two-year deal.{{ Cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/8698358.stm | title=Rangers forward Nacho Novo will join Sporting Gijon |work=BBC Sport |date=21 May 2010 }} After a difficult first season in Spain, Novo was offered to clubs in the summer of 2011 with a return to Scotland being mooted. Aberdeen boss Craig Brown said that he had turned down the chance to sign Novo, but this was later denied by the player's agent.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13990040.stm |title=Agent denies Nacho Novo was offered to Aberdeen. |work=BBC Sport |date=1 July 2011 }}
Sporting boss Javier Clemente, branded Novo "a coward", and of "showing no commitment to the club in their time of need", and tore up Novo's contract. Clemente then states he “Went into the dressing room and told the rest of the players that if we had any other cowards they could also leave.”{{ Cite news | url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/world-football/2012/02/19/sporting-gijon-boss-javier-clemente-brands-nacho-novo-a-coward-for-walking-out-on-la-liga-strugglers-86908-23756440/ |title=Nacho Novo is a coward |work=Daily Record |date=19 February 2012 }}
=Legia Warsaw and Huesca=
On 16 February 2012, Novo signed a 6-month contract with Legia Warsaw.{{cite web |last=Kutarnia |first=Adam |url=http://www.polandsoccerblog.com/2012/02/nacho-novo-introduced-by-legia.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131106023157/http://www.polandsoccerblog.com/2012/02/nacho-novo-introduced-by-legia.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 November 2013 |title=Nacho Novo introduced by Legia |work=Poland Soccer Blog |date=17 February 2012 |access-date=6 November 2013 }} He made his debut on 26 February against Śląsk Wrocław and was substituted in the 59th minute with his side leading 3–0, Legia eventually winning 4–0.{{cite web|author=Maciej Kusina |url=http://www.90minut.pl/mecz.php?id_mecz=783471 |title=Śląsk Wrocław 0–4 Legia Warszawa |work=90minut.pl |date=26 February 2012 |access-date=6 November 2013}} Novo made 11 League and 3 Cup appearances for Legia, scoring once in a 2–1 win over Arka Gdynia in the semi-final of the Polish Cup.{{cite web|author=Maciej Kusina |url=http://www.90minut.pl/mecz.php?id_mecz=869331 |title=Legia Warszawa 2–1 Arka Gdynia |work=90minut.pl |date=11 April 2012 |access-date=6 November 2013}}
In July 2012 Novo returned to Spain to rejoin Second division side Huesca with whom he spent a successful 2-year spell between 1999 and 2001.{{cite web|url=http://transfersblog.com/473,official-novo-rejoins-huesca |title=Official: Novo rejoins Huesca |work=Transfersblog.com |date=16 July 2012 |access-date=6 November 2013}} Novo's second spell at the club was less successful than his first, scoring only 6 league goals. In November 2012, Novo was sent off after scoring in a 2–1 win over Guadalajara for gestures made towards the crowd. Novo protested his innocence, stating that the 'gestures' were in fact a "dedication" towards his late mother.{{cite web |url=http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/29333/novo-sent-off-for-dedicating-goal-to-late-mother/ |title=Novo sent off for dedicating goal to late mother |work=Insidespanishfootball.com |date=21 November 2012 |access-date=6 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001909/http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/29333/novo-sent-off-for-dedicating-goal-to-late-mother/ |archive-date=31 December 2013}} Huesca ended being relegated at the end of the season, and Novo became a free agent.{{cite web |url=http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/77167/kilmarnock-keen-on-novo/ |title=Kilmarnock keen on Novo |work=Insidespanishfootball.com |date=7 September 2013 |access-date=6 November 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131231001236/http://www.insidespanishfootball.com/77167/kilmarnock-keen-on-novo/ |archive-date=31 December 2013}}
=Later career=
Novo signed a short-term contract with Scottish Championship club Greenock Morton in October 2013,{{cite news|url=http://spfl.co.uk/news/article/morton-sign-novo/|title=Morton sign Novo|publisher=Scottish Professional Football League|date=10 October 2013|access-date=10 October 2013}} in a deal that was scheduled to run until 12 January 2014.{{cite news|url=http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/juniors/articles/2013/10/11/474701-novo-is-focused-on-ton/|title=Novo is focused on Ton|work=Greenock Telegraph|first=Jonathan|last=Mitchell|date=11 October 2013|access-date=15 October 2013}} However, after a disappointing return of only one goal, and with Morton at the bottom of the Championship,{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25377383|title=Morton 0 Falkirk 2 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 December 2013|access-date=26 December 2013}} Novo was released from his contract ahead of schedule on 24 December.{{cite news|url=http://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/greenock/articles/2013/12/24/483444-morton-part-company-with-nacho-novo/|title=Breaking: Morton part company with Nacho Novo|work=Greenock Telegraph|first=Jonathan|last=Mitchell|date=24 December 2013|access-date=24 December 2013}}
On 11 February 2014, Novo signed a short-term deal until the end of the 2013–14 season with Football League One side Carlisle United.{{cite web |title=CONTRACT: Striker pens deal |url=http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/article/novosigns11feb14-1346040.aspx |work=Carlisle United FC |date=11 February 2014}} He was released in May following their relegation, after appearing in only six matches.{{cite news|title=BREAKING: Retained and released list|url=https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2014/may/breaking-retained-and-released-list/|access-date=8 January 2018|publisher=Carlisle United|date=6 May 2014}}
On 11 September 2014, Novo signed for Carolina RailHawks of USL Pro.{{cite web |url=http://www.carolinarailhawks.com/news/detail/uuid/1mu0039c0h9la1wb22o6t1pz6s/railhawks-sign-former-uefa-cup-finalist-nacho-novo#.VPoIRmezWcM |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216001212/http://www.carolinarailhawks.com/news/detail/uuid/1mu0039c0h9la1wb22o6t1pz6s/railhawks-sign-former-uefa-cup-finalist-nacho-novo#.VRiPD_nF9rJ |archive-date=16 December 2014 |date=11 September 2014 |title=RailHawks sign former UEFA Cup finalist Nacho Novo |publisher=Carolina RailHawks}}
On 26 July 2016, it was announced Novo would join Northern Ireland Football League team Glentoran.{{cite web|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/former-rangers-striker-nacho-novo-joins-glentoran-34915249.html |title=Former Rangers striker Nacho Novo joins Glentoran |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=26 July 2016 |access-date=23 October 2017}} A few weeks after his arrival in Belfast, Novo was warned by police that he was under a death threat from dissident republicans.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-37333752 |title=Nacho Novo 'warned of threat from dissident republicans' |work=BBC News |date=11 September 2016 |access-date=23 October 2017}} The latter part of his season was marred by a six-game ban for a headbutt against Crusaders in January. After scoring a total of 4 goals in 28 games, he was released in May 2017.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39816541 |title=Nacho Novo: Glentoran release former Rangers striker after one season with club |work=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2017 |access-date=23 October 2017}}
After leaving Glentoran, it was reported that Novo hoped to move into a coaching role,{{cite news |last=Beacom |first=Steven |title=Nacho Novo to retire and make move into management to help rising stars fulfil their dream |url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/nacho-novo-to-retire-and-make-move-into-management-to-help-rising-stars-fulfil-their-dream-36014040.html |access-date=31 July 2019 |work=Belfast Telegraph |date=9 August 2019}} however by the end of 2017 Novo had instead announced plans to open a Rangers-themed bar in Glasgow.{{cite news |title=Rangers legend Nacho Novo to open Gers-themed bar near Ibrox stadium |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/food-drink/nacho-ordinary-pub-ibrox-hero-11599751 |access-date=31 July 2019 |work=Daily Record |date=28 November 2017}}
International career
Novo was never selected for the Spain national team but has played for Galicia – his debut was in a 2008 friendly against Iran,{{cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tablesg/galicia-intres.html|website=RSSSF|title=Galicia Autonomous Team Matches}} arriving in his homeland just an hour before the match started after playing for Rangers against Celtic earlier in the day. He scored two goals and left to the acclaim of the Galician fans.
On 24 October 2008, it was reported that Novo could be selected by the Scotland national team as he was eligible to acquire a British passport, having lived in Scotland for eight years.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/r/rangers/7688703.stm|work=BBC Sport|title=Scotland open to Novo selection|date=24 October 2008}} This led to much debate amongst the Scottish media as to whether Novo, who was born in Spain and has no Scottish parents or grandparents, should be selected by Scotland. It eventually became clear, however, that the Home Nations would continue to honour a deal whereby that any player selected by England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales would be required to have a blood tie to that country, or have had five years compulsory education within it. This deal would rule out the prospect of Novo playing for Scotland.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/7702704.stm|work=BBC Sport|title= Deal ends Novo's Scotland hopes|date=24 October 2008}}
Coaching
On 15 November 2022, Novo was named as an assistant coach for USL League One club Lexington SC, where he will also serve as the head coach of the club's U-23 team. The move reunites Novo with Sam Stockley, who was Novo's teammate at Carolina Railhawks.{{cite web |title=Rangers legend Nacho Novo named Lexington Sporting Club Assistant Coach |url=https://www.lexsporting.com/news/rangers-legend-nacho-novo-named-lexington-sporting-club-assistant-coach/ |website=LexSporting.com |access-date=15 November 2022}}
Novo joined the coaching team at Drumchapel United in June 2024.{{cite web |title=Rangers UEFA Cup hero makes stunning return to Scottish football as ex-striker joins ambitious sixth-tier club|url=https://www.glasgowworld.com/sport/football/rangers/rangers-uefa-cup-hero-scottish-football-ex-striker-joins-ambitious-sixth-tier-club-4678813|website=glasgowworld.com|date=25 June 2024}}
Personal life
Novo met Donna Clark in 2004 when playing in Scotland, and the couple were engaged a year later.{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Thomas |title=YESO NOVO; Rangers Spanish star Nacho to wed Scots beauty Donna And yes, he will be wearing a kilt on the big wedding day |url=https://www.thefreelibrary.com/YESO+NOVO%3B+Rangers+Spanish+star+Nacho+to+wed+Scots+beauty+Donna+And...-a0137574586 |access-date=31 July 2019 |work=Sunday Mirror |date=16 October 2005}} During a lengthy engagement, they had a son together, Javier, before finally marrying in February 2015 where Novo's ex-Rangers team-mate, Marvin Andrews, acted as pastor.{{cite news |last1=Hind |first1=Sally |title=Nacho Novo text fling: Wife of ex-Rangers star Nacho Novo reveals how footballer's guilt over flirty texts to Celtic fan sparked whirlwind wedding |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/nacho-novo-text-fling-wife-5282858 |access-date=31 July 2019 |work=Daily Record |date=6 March 2015}} He resides in Scotland.{{cite web |author=Glasgow Live |url=https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/glasgow-news/former-rangers-star-nacho-novo-14181192.amp |title= Former Rangers star Nacho Novo returns home to Scotland after heart attack |work=Glasgow Live |date=20 January 2018}}
In January 2018, 38-year-old Novo suffered a heart attack while playing for a team of Rangers legends at the AOK Masters in Berlin. He was immediately rushed to hospital and underwent emergency surgery.{{cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/former-rangers-star-nacho-novo-11826764 |title=Novo out of intensive care and "looking better" after suffering heart attack|first=Nathalie|last=Evens|work=Daily Mirror|date=10 January 2018}}
Career statistics
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{cite web|title=Nacho Novo|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=26382|publisher=Soccerbase|access-date=29 March 2015}}{{cite web|title=Novo, Nacho|url=http://www.fitbastats.com/rangers/player.php?playerid=1140|publisher=FitbaStats|access-date=29 March 2015}}{{cite web |title=Nacho Novo |url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/ignacio-nacho-gomez-novo/838/ |work=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=5 November 2017}} !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Scottish Cup, Copa del Rey, Polish Cup, U.S. Open Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Scottish League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Continental !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||||
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raith Rovers
|33 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 2{{efn|Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup}} | 3 | 38 | 22 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Dundee
|rowspan="2"|Scottish Premier League |36 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 43 | 9 | ||
| 2003–04
|35 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4{{efn|name=UC|Appearances in UEFA Cup}} | 4 | colspan="2"|– | 44 | 25 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!71 | 26 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 87 | 34 | |
| rowspan="7"|Rangers
|rowspan="6"|Scottish Premier League |35 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 8{{efn|Two appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, six appearances and two goals in UEFA Cup}} | 3 | colspan="2"|– | 48 | 25 | ||
| 2005–06
|24 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5{{efn|name=UCL|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}} | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 32 | 3 | ||
| 2006–07
|28 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 8{{efn|name=UC}} | 4 | colspan="2"|– | 39 | 10 | ||
| 2007–08
|28 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 14{{efn|Seven appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, seven appearances and one goal in UEFA Cup}} | 2 | colspan="2"|– | 49 | 16 | ||
| 2008–09
|29 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2{{efn|name=UCL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 38 | 10 | ||
| 2009–10
|35 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 6{{efn|name=UCL}} | 1 | colspan="2"|– | 49 | 9 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!179 | 47 | 15 | 5 | 18 | 9 | 43 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 255 | 73 | |
| rowspan="3"|Sporting Gijón
|rowspan="2"|La Liga |31 | 4 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 32 | 4 | ||||
| 2011–12
|11 | 3 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 11 | 3 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!42 | 7 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 43 | 7 | ||||
| Legia Warsaw
|11 | 0 | 4 | 1 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 15 | 1 | ||||
| Huesca
|La Liga |34 | 6 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 34 | 6 | ||||
| Greenock Morton
|8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 10 | 1 | |||
| Carlisle United
|6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| rowspan="3"|Carolina RailHawks
|2014 |rowspan="2"|NASL |8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 8 | 3 | |||
| 2015
|25 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 26 | 11 | |||
| colspan="2"|Total
!33 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 34 | 14 | |
| Glentoran
|23 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|– | colspan="2"|– | 23 | 3 | |||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!440 | 122 | 31 | 9 | 25 | 11 | 47 | 16 | 2 | 3 | 545 | 161 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
Rangers
- Scottish Premier League: 2004–05, 2008–09, 2009–10
- Scottish Cup: 2008–09
- Scottish League Cup: 2004–05, 2009–10
- UEFA Cup runner-up: 2007–08{{cite news |date=14 May 2008 |title=Zenit St Petersburg 2–0 Rangers |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7393752.stm |access-date=5 May 2011}}
Legia Warsaw
Individual
- Rangers Hall of Fame Inductee: 2014
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110924052356/http://www.realsporting.com/wrsg/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&layout=item&id=156&Itemid=258 Sporting Gijón official profile] {{in lang|es}}
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{BDFutbol|8622}}
- [http://www.sporting-heroes.net/football/rangers-fc/nacho-novo-9160/scottish-premier_a17046/ Photo and stats] at sporting-heroes.net
{{Rangers F.C. Hall of Fame}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Novo, Nacho}}
Category:Footballers from Ferrol, Spain
Category:Spanish men's footballers
Category:Men's association football forwards
Category:Racing de Ferrol footballers
Category:SD Huesca footballers
Category:Sporting de Gijón players
Category:Scottish Football League players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:Raith Rovers F.C. players
Category:Greenock Morton F.C. players
Category:Carlisle United F.C. players
Category:North Carolina FC players
Category:Glentoran F.C. players
Category:NIFL Premiership players
Category:Spanish expatriate men's footballers
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland
Category:English Football League players
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Poland
Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England
Category:Expatriate men's soccer players in the United States
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:North American Soccer League (2011–2017) players
Category:Spanish emigrants to the United Kingdom
Category:Spanish expatriate sportspeople in Scotland