Rob Kiernan
{{Short description|Irish footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rob Kiernan
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| fullname = Robert Samuel Kiernan{{Cite book |title=The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10 |publisher=Mainstream Publishing |year=2009 |isbn=978-1-84596-474-0 |editor-last=Hugman |editor-first=Barry J.}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1991|01|13|df=y}}
| birth_place = Rickmansworth, England
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=1}}
| position = Defender
| youthyears1 = 2000–2008
| youthclubs1 = Watford
| years1 = 2008–2011
| clubs1 = Watford
| caps1 = 2
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 2010
| clubs2 = → Kilmarnock (loan)
| caps2 = 4
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2010
| clubs3 = → Yeovil Town (loan)
| caps3 = 3
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2010–2011
| clubs4 = → Bradford City (loan)
| caps4 = 8
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2011
| clubs5 = → Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
| caps5 = 2
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2011–2015
| clubs6 = Wigan Athletic
| caps6 = 29
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2012
| clubs7 = → Accrington Stanley (loan)
| caps7 = 3
| goals7 = 0
| years8 = 2012
| clubs8 = → Burton Albion (loan)
| caps8 = 6
| goals8 = 0
| years9 = 2012–2013
| clubs9 = → Brentford (loan)
| caps9 = 8
| goals9 = 0
| years10 = 2013
| clubs10 = → Southend United (loan)
| caps10 = 12
| goals10 = 0
| years11 = 2015
| clubs11 = → Birmingham City (loan)
| caps11 = 12
| goals11 = 1
| years12 = 2015–2017
| clubs12 = Rangers
| caps12 = 57
| goals12 = 1
| years13 = 2017–2020
| clubs13 = Southend United
| caps13 = 30
| goals13 = 2
| years14 = 2020–2022
| clubs14 = Orange County SC
| caps14 = 44
| goals14 = 2
| nationalyears1 = 2008
| nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U18
| nationalcaps1 = 3
| nationalgoals1 = 1
| nationalyears2 = 2009–2010
| nationalteam2 = Republic of Ireland U19
| nationalcaps2 = 6
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 2010–2013
| nationalteam3 = Republic of Ireland U21
| nationalcaps3 = 14
| nationalgoals3 = 0
}}
Robert Samuel Kiernan (born 13 January 1991) is a former professional footballer who played as a defender. Born in England, he represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level.
Kiernan has previously played for Watford, Wigan Athletic and Rangers, and has also spent time on loan at Kilmarnock, Yeovil Town, Bradford City, Wycombe Wanderers,{{Cite web |date=23 February 2011 |title=Watford's Kiernan joins Wycombe, Townsend leaves |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/wycombe_wanderers/9405798.stm |access-date=24 February 2011 |publisher=BBC Sport}} Accrington Stanley, Burton Albion, Brentford, Southend United and Birmingham City. He ended his career with American club Orange County SC. Kiernan, who was born in Hertfordshire, played for the Republic of Ireland at youth levels up to and including under-21.
Club career
=Watford=
Kiernan was born in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire,{{Cite book |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011 |publisher=Headline |year=2010 |isbn=978-0-7553-6107-6 |editor-last=Rollin, Glenda |location=London |page=540 |editor-last2=Rollin, Jack |name-list-style=amp}} and began his football career as a youngster with Watford. Watford sent two youth squads to the Milk Cup in Northern Ireland in the summer of 2008. Kiernan was moved from his natural position of central midfielder to play centre-half, to take advantage of his height and physical presence,{{Cite news |date=24 October 2008 |title=Burden lifted from Kiernan's shoulders |work=Watfordfc.com |publisher=Watford Football Club |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1429333,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108131049/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1429333,00.html |archive-date=8 January 2009}} and also captained the side.{{Cite news |date=30 July 2008 |title=Milk Cup 2008 day two |work=Watfordfc.com |publisher=Watford Football Club |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1353783,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719144359/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1353783,00.html |archive-date=19 July 2011}} His performances drew praise from his then coach Mark Warburton.{{Cite news |date=3 August 2008 |title=Milk Cup 2008 day five |work=Watfordfc.com |publisher=Watford Football Club |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1357166,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216091649/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1357166,00.html |archive-date=16 February 2012}}
Later that summer, Kiernan was called up by the Ireland under-19 team for a four-nation tournament, but he had to withdraw after tearing his right thigh muscle.
Kiernan captained Watford's under-18 side in 2008–09, in which they reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup.{{Cite news |date=18 March 2009 |title=Birmingham Yth 1 Watford Yth 0 |work=Watfordfc.com |publisher=Watford Football Club |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/AcademyNews/0,,10400~1592972,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216091933/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/AcademyNews/0,,10400~1592972,00.html |archive-date=16 February 2012}} In October 2008, he, together with fellow second-year scholars Billy Gibson and Ross Jenkins, signed "developmental contracts" – professional contracts signed earlier than usual, allowing the players to continue their scholarships without the pressure of worrying about the future –to run until the end of the 2009–10 season.{{Cite news |date=4 October 2008 |title=Trio commit their futures |work=Watfordfc.com |publisher=Watford Football Club |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1412343,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216091700/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1412343,00.html |archive-date=16 February 2012}}
When Brendan Rodgers was appointed Watford manager in November 2008, Kiernan began to take part in some first-team training sessions.{{Cite news |date=1 December 2008 |title=Youth Cup preview |work=Watfordfc.com |publisher=Watford Football Club |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1481609,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216091728/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10400~1481609,00.html |archive-date=16 February 2012}} He was included in the senior matchday squad for the first time on 24 January 2009 for an FA Cup fourth-round tie against Crystal Palace at Vicarage Road, and made his debut as a 90th-minute substitute, replacing Gavin Hoyte, as Watford won 4–3.{{Cite news |date=24 January 2009 |title=Watford vs Crystal Palace |work=Watfordfc.com |publisher=Watford Football Club |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10400~47002,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216091741/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10400~47002,00.html |archive-date=16 February 2012}} Although he made no more first-team appearances that season, he finish with 17 starts for the Academy side and 9 for the reserves.{{Cite news |date=10 July 2009 |title=Academy stat pack 2008/09 |work=Watfordfc.com |publisher=Watford Football Club |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/Academy/0,,10400~1714100,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327092547/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/Academy/0,,10400~1714100,00.html |archive-date=27 March 2012}}{{Cite news |date=30 October 2009 |title=Reserve season 2008/09 – the full stat pack |work=Watfordfc.com |publisher=Watford Football Club |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/page/Reserves/0,,10400~1370642,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327092526/http://www.watfordfc.com/page/Reserves/0,,10400~1370642,00.html |archive-date=27 March 2012}}
==Loans==
After a trial in January 2010, Kiernan joined Scottish Premier League side Kilmarnock on loan; manager Jimmy Calderwood wanted him as cover with two defensive players injured.{{Cite news |date=29 January 2010 |title=Killie poised to land Kiernan |publisher=Sky Sports |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11686/5893139/killie-poised-to-land-kiernan |access-date=12 February 2015}} He joined Kilmarnock on the same day as Watford teammate Scott Severin, and was given the number 29 shirt.{{Cite web |date=1 February 2010 |title=Killie sign Scott Severin, Chris Maguire, Rob Kiernan |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/8486451.stm |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC}} Kiernan made his debut the next day as a 73rd-minute substitute in a 1–0 league win against Celtic.{{Cite news |last=Conaghan |first=Martin |date=2 February 2010 |title=Kilmarnock 1–0 Celtic |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8493164.stm |access-date=12 February 2015}} Kiernan played three matches for Yeovil Town at the start of the 2010–11 season, and on 12 November joined Bradford City on a two-month loan.{{Cite news |date=12 November 2010 |title=Bradford City sign Kiernan & Eckersley on loan |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/b/bradford_city/9184031.stm |access-date=12 February 2015}} Conference side Histon had previously attempted to sign Kiernan on loan.{{Cite news |last=Beyeler |first=Marc |date=15 November 2010 |title=We lacked quality in key areas – Livermore |work=Cambridge News |publisher=Local World |location=Cambridge |url=http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Sport/Histon/We-lacked-quality-in-key-areas-Livermore.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913022228/http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Sport/Histon/We-lacked-quality-in-key-areas-Livermore.htm |archive-date=13 September 2012}}
=Wigan Athletic=
At the end of the 2010–11 season, Kiernan rejected Watford's offer of a new two-year contract; the "slightly reduced" terms offered entitled him to leave the club without compensation becoming payable by his next employer.{{Cite news |date=28 June 2011 |title=Rob Kiernan leaves Watford after rejecting deal |publisher=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13945673.stm |access-date=13 February 2015}} He signed for Premier League club Wigan Athletic,{{Cite news |last=Smith, Frank |date=28 July 2011 |title=Premier League Wigan Athletic set to sign released Watford defender Rob Kiernan |work=Watford Observer |url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/9125418.Released_Watford_defender_set_for_Premier_League_move/ |access-date=13 February 2015}}
{{Cite news |date=4 August 2011 |title=White chooses green in accepting King's invitation |work=The Irish Times |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2011/0804/1224301843235.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110808192112/http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2011/0804/1224301843235.html |archive-date=8 August 2011}} In March 2012, having failed to feature in Wigan's first team, Kiernan joined League Two Accrington Stanley on loan for the remainder of the season,{{Cite news |date=16 March 2012 |title=Accrington Stanley sign Wigan defender Rob Kiernan |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17406596}} but ankle ligament damage cut the loan spell to just three matches.{{Cite news |last=Flanagan, Chris |date=30 March 2012 |title=Accrington Stanley defender out for season |work=Lancashire Telegraph |url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/9622857.Accrington_Stanley_defender_out_for_season/ |access-date=13 February 2015}} He returned to match fitness with the help of a month's loan at Burton Albion, also of League Two, in the early part of the following season,{{Cite news |date=28 September 2012 |title=Brewers swoop for loan pair |publisher=Sky Sports |url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11682/8115857/brewers-swoop-for-loan-pair |access-date=13 February 2015}} and in November moved on to League One Brentford on loan until January 2013.{{Cite web |date=15 November 2012 |title=Bees sign Premier League defender |url=http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/rob-kiernan-signs-488356.aspx |access-date=15 November 2012 |publisher=Brentford F.C.}}
He then renewed his loan deal on 11 January 2013. On 12 October 2013, Kiernan joined League Two side Southend United on a three-month loan deal,{{Cite web |date=12 October 2013 |title=Southend United sign Wigan Athletic defender Rob Kiernan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/24493660 |access-date=14 October 2013 |website=BBC |publisher=BBC Sport}} however, he was recalled on 29 December, as cover after Thomas Rogne was injured on Boxing Day.{{Cite web |date=29 December 2013 |title=Wigan Athletic recall Rob Kiernan from Southend loan spell |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25543165 |access-date=29 December 2013 |website=BBC |publisher=BBC Sport}} Kiernan made a strong end to the 2013–14 season, scoring his first goal for the club against Leicester City{{Cite news |date=1 April 2014 |title=Wigan 2–2 Leicester |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26726977 |access-date=23 August 2016}} and featuring in the play-off semi-final defeat by Queens Park Rangers, and signed a three-year contract extension in May 2014.{{Cite web |date=20 May 2014 |title=Rob Kiernan: Wigan Athletic defender signs new contract |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27484251 |website=BBC |publisher=BBC Sport}}
However, after struggling to feature the following season, Kiernan joined then Championship club Birmingham City in February 2015 on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season.{{Cite news |date=12 February 2015 |title=Rob Kiernan: Birmingham sign Wigan Athletic defender on loan |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31437534 |access-date=12 February 2015}} He made his debut on 21 February at Brighton & Hove Albion, starting the match in central midfield in place of the injured David Davis, and played 78 minutes of the 4–3 defeat.{{Cite news |last=Dick, Brian |date=21 February 2015 |title=Updated: Brighton 4 Birmingham City 3 |work=Birmingham Mail |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/updated-brighton-4-birmingham-city-8692713 |access-date=21 February 2015}} He went on to form a partnership at centre-half with Jonathan Spector,{{Cite web |last=Tattum |first=Colin |date=25 March 2015 |title=Michael Morrison raring to go |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-michael-morrison-2356257.aspx |access-date=12 March 2015 |website=www.bcfc.com |publisher=Birmingham City Football Club}} and then played alongside Michael Morrison after the latter's return from injury. Kiernan was credited with his first goal for the club on 11 April against Wolverhampton Wanderers; he scored from close range after Jonathan Grounds' shot had already crossed the line unnoticed by the officials and been pushed back into play.{{Cite news |last=Rae |first=Richard |date=11 April 2015 |title=Birmingham's Demarai Gray's stunning winner dents Wolves playoff hopes |work=The Guardian |location=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/apr/11/birmingham-wolverhampton-wanderers-championship-match-report |access-date=12 April 2015}} A hamstring injury meant he missed the last two matches of the season.{{Cite news |last=Dick |first=Brian |date=1 May 2015 |title=Find out who's available to Gary Rowett – and who isn't |work=Birmingham Mail |publisher=Trinity Mirror |location=Birmingham |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-find-out-whos-9164953 |access-date=2 May 2015}}
=Rangers=
On 22 June 2015, Kiernan signed a two-year deal at Rangers{{Cite news |date=22 June 2015 |title=Rangers: Rob Kiernan and Danny Wilson sign for Ibrox club |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33229982 |access-date=22 June 2015}} with the transfer fee reported to be £200,000.{{Cite news |last=Dick |first=Brian |date=23 June 2015 |title=Former Birmingham City loanee Rob Kiernan completes move to Rangers |work=Birmingham Mail |publisher=Trinity Mirror |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/former-birmingham-city-loanee-rob-9510280}} Over the course of the subsequent season, he played in central defence alongside Danny Wilson.{{Cite news |last=Jack |first=Christopher |date=30 September 2015 |title=Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan get Rangers pass marks so far, but they will get even better with time says Ibrox legend Brown |work=The Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group |location=Glasgow |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/13792693.Danny_Wilson_and_Rob_Kiernan_get_Rangers_pass_marks_so_far__but_they_will_get_even_better_with_time_says_Ibrox_legend_Brown/ |access-date=20 June 2016}}{{Cite news |date=24 September 2015 |title=Derek Johnstone: Rangers defensive woes were not a surprise against Saints |work=Evening Times |publisher=Herald & Times Group |location=Glasgow |url=http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/rangers/13780894.Derek_Johnstone__Rangers_defensive_woes_were_not_a_surprise_against_Saints/ |access-date=20 June 2016}} The pair, however, received criticism for some of their performances, notably in the team's 3–2 loss to Hibernian in the 2016 Scottish Cup Final.{{Cite news |last=Verrall |first=John |date=22 May 2016 |title=Glasgow Rangers fans react on Twitter to Rob Kiernan's performance in the Scottish Cup final |work=HITC |url=http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2016/05/22/glasgow-rangers-fans-react-on-twitter-to-rob-kiernans-performanc/ |access-date=20 June 2016}} On 19 July 2016, Kiernan extended his contract with Rangers for another year, until 2018.{{Cite news |date=19 July 2016 |title=Rangers: Wes Foderingham and Rob Kiernan extend contracts |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36839183 |access-date=24 August 2020}} Kiernan scored his first goal for Rangers and only his third goal of his professional career on 10 December 2016, heading a James Tavernier free-kick to net the first of two goals as Rangers won 2–0.{{Cite news |date=10 December 2016 |title=Rangers 2–0 Heart of Midlothian |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38193039}} On 27 December 2016, he was linked with a £2m move to Fulham{{Cite news |last=Gannon |first=Michael |date=28 December 2016 |title=Fulham eye £2million Kiernan bid |work=Daily Record |location=Glasgow |url=https://www.pressreader.com/uk/daily-record/20161228/283025464304256/textview |access-date=24 August 2020 |via=PressReader}} and the following day, during Rangers' 1–1 draw with St Johnstone, Kiernan appeared to strike Saints captain Steven Anderson.{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Richard |date=28 December 2016 |title=St Johnstone 1–1 Rangers |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38387787}} For this, Kiernan was offered a two-match suspension for violent conduct by the Scottish Football Association, however he chose to contest the charge and it was ultimately dismissed by disciplinary tribunal on 12 January.{{Cite news |date=12 January 2017 |title=Rob Kiernan: Violent conduct charge against Rangers defender dismissed |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38470818}}
=Return to Southend United=
Kiernan returned to English football in 2017, signing a three-year contract with League One club Southend United on 3 August for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite news |date=3 August 2017 |title=Rob Kiernan: Rangers defender moves to Southend United on three-year deal |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40816119 |access-date=3 August 2017}} Kiernan was released by Southend on 31 January 2020.{{Cite news |date=31 January 2020 |title=Southend United confirm Rob Kiernan's departure/ |publisher=Basildon Canvey Southend Echo |url=https://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/18202558.southend-united-confirm-rob-kiernan-s-departure/ |access-date=4 March 2020}}
=Orange County SC=
On 7 February 2020, Kiernan joined USA club Orange County SC. He made 47 appearances and scored two goals before retiring from football in April 2023, due to a hip injury.{{Cite web |date=10 April 2023 |title=Ex-Rangers defender Rob Kiernan forced to retire aged just 32 |url=https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/23445264.former-rangers-defender-rob-kiernan-forced-retire-aged-just-32/ |access-date=3 July 2023 |website=Glasgow Times |language=en}}
International career
Kiernan has captained the Republic of Ireland national football team at age-group levels.{{Cite news |last=Smith, Frank |date=28 January 2010 |title=Republic of Ireland Under-19 captain Rob Kiernan on trial in Scotland with Kilmarnock |work=Watford Observer |url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/localsport/4878633.Watford_youngster_on_trial_in_Scotland/ |access-date=12 February 2015}}{{Cite web |title=Statistics: Under18 [Powered by tplSoccerStats] |url=http://www.soccerscene.ie/ss_gen/player.php?id=70&level=ss18 |access-date=11 April 2016 |website=www.soccerscene.ie}} He qualified to play for Ireland as his father was born in County Wexford.{{Cite web |date=14 March 2021 |title=The former Ireland U21 captain who helped Rangers return to the Scottish Premiership |url=https://www.the42.ie/rob-kiernan-interview-march-2021-5378947-Mar2021/}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 29 November 2021}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"
|+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National Cup{{efn|Includes FA Cup, Scottish Cup}} !colspan="2"|League Cup{{efn|Includes EFL Cup, Scottish League Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="4"|Watford
|2008–09{{soccerbase season|50958|2008|access-date=12 February 2015}} |0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10
|Championship |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11{{soccerbase season|50958|2010|access-date=12 February 2015}}
|Championship |0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!0||0||2||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||2||0 | ||||||||||
| Kilmarnock (loan)
|2009–10{{soccerbase season|50958|2009|access-date=12 February 2015}} |4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 5 | 0 | |||
| Yeovil Town (loan)
|3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | |||
| Bradford City (loan)
|8 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 8 | 0 | ||||
| Wycombe Wanderers (loan)
|League Two |2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 2 | 0 | ||||
| rowspan="5"|Wigan Athletic
|0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2012–13
|Premier League |0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14{{soccerbase season|50958|2013|access-date=12 February 2015}}
|Championship |12 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | 0 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=ChPO|Appearances in Championship play-offs}} | 0 | 14 | 1 | ||
| 2014–15
|Championship |17 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 18 | 0 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!29||1||1||0||0||0||2||0||32||1 | ||||||||||
| Accrington Stanley (loan)
|2011–12{{soccerbase season|50958|2011 |access-date=12 February 2015}} |League Two |3 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 3 | 0 | ||||
| Burton Albion (loan)
|2012–13{{soccerbase season|50958|2012|access-date=12 February 2015}} |League Two |6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | ||||
| Brentford (loan)
|League One |8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 1{{efn|Appearance in Football League Trophy}} | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||
| Southend United (loan)
|League Two |12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 0 | |||
| Birmingham City (loan)
|2014–15{{soccerbase season|50958|2014|access-date=2 May 2015}} |Championship |12 | 1 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 1 | ||||
| rowspan="3"|Rangers
|2015–16{{soccerbase season|50958|2015|access-date=3 August 2017}} |33 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 4{{efn|Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup}} | 0 | 45 | 0 | |
| 2016–17{{soccerbase season|50958|2016|access-date=3 August 2017}}
|24 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 31 | 1 | ||
| colspan="2"|Total
!57||1||7||0||8||0||4||0||76||1 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="4"|Southend United
|2017–18{{soccerbase season|50958|2017 |access-date=3 August 2017}} |League One |1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2018–19{{soccerbase season|50958|2018 |access-date=5 March 2022}}
|League One |10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |
| 2019–20{{soccerbase season|50958|2019 |access-date=5 March 2022}}
|League One |19 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3{{efn|Appearances in EFL Trophy}} | 0 | 23 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!30||2||1||0||1||0||3||0||35||2 | ||||||||||
| rowspan="4" |Orange County SC
|2020{{Cite web |title=R. Kiernan: Summary |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/robert-kiernan/71307/ |access-date=5 March 2022 |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group}} |15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | colspan=2|— | 15 | 0 | |||
| 2021
|USL Championship |28 | 2 | 0 | 0 | colspan=2|— | 3{{efn|Appearances in USL Championship Playoffs}} | 0 | 31 | 2 | ||
| 2022
|USL Championship |1 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— | colspan="2" |— |1 |0 | ||||||||||
| colspan="2" |Total
!44||2||0||0|| colspan="2" |—||3||0||47||2 | ||||||||||
| colspan="3" |Career total
!218||7||14||0||9||0||13||0||254||7 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
;Rangers
- Scottish Championship: 2015–16{{Cite news |last=Burke |first=Andy |date=5 April 2016 |title=Rangers 1–0 Dumbarton |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35912680 |access-date=5 April 2016}}
- Scottish Challenge Cup: 2015–16{{Cite news |last=English |first=Tom |date=10 April 2016 |title=Rangers 4–0 Peterhead |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35953055 |access-date=10 April 2016}}
;Orange County SC
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Soccerbase}}
- {{soccerway|robert-kiernan/71307}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kiernan, Rob}}
Category:Sportspeople from Rickmansworth
Category:English men's footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers
Category:Republic of Ireland men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Men's association football utility players
Category:Kilmarnock F.C. players
Category:Yeovil Town F.C. players
Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players
Category:Wycombe Wanderers F.C. players
Category:Wigan Athletic F.C. players
Category:Accrington Stanley F.C. players
Category:Burton Albion F.C. players
Category:Brentford F.C. players
Category:Southend United F.C. players
Category:Birmingham City F.C. players
Category:Orange County SC players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:USL Championship players
Category:Footballers from Hertfordshire