Robbie Muirhead

{{Short description|Scottish footballer (born 1996)}}

{{Use British English|date=October 2017}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Robbie Muirhead

| image =

| fullname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1996|3|8}}

| birth_place = Irvine, Scotland{{cite web|title=Robbie Muirhead player profile |url=http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/TeamsPlayer?sPlayer=468&sTeam=398 |publisher=Kilmarnock F.C. |accessdate=17 August 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150202235546/http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/TeamsPlayer?sPlayer=468&sTeam=398 |archivedate=2 February 2015 |url-status=unfit }}

| height =

| position = Forward

| currentclub = Livingston

| clubnumber = 23

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2013

| youthclubs1 = Kilmarnock

| years1 = 2013–2015

| clubs1 = Kilmarnock

| caps1 = 42

| goals1 = 4

| years2 = 2015–2016

| clubs2 = Dundee United

| caps2 = 16

| goals2 = 2

| years3 = 2015–2016

| clubs3 = → Partick Thistle (loan)

| caps3 = 8

| goals3 = 2

| years4 = 2016–2017

| clubs4 = Heart of Midlothian

| caps4 = 18

| goals4 = 2

| years5 = 2017–2018

| clubs5 = Milton Keynes Dons

| caps5 = 49

| goals5 = 5

| years6 = 2018–2019

| clubs6 = Dunfermline Athletic

| caps6 = 12

| goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2019–2024

| clubs7 = Greenock Morton

| caps7 = 125

| goals7 = 27

| years8 = 2024–

| clubs8 = Livingston

| caps8 = 30

| goals8 = 10

| nationalyears1 = 2011

| nationalteam1 = Scotland U15

| nationalcaps1 = 2

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2011–2012

| nationalteam2 = Scotland U16

| nationalcaps2 = 3

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2012

| nationalteam3 = Scotland U17

| nationalcaps3 = 7

| nationalgoals3 = 6

| nationalyears4 = 2013

| nationalteam4 = Scotland U18

| nationalcaps4 = 1

| nationalgoals4 = 0

| nationalyears5 = 2014

| nationalteam5 = Scotland U19

| nationalcaps5 = 5

| nationalgoals5 = 3

| club-update = 08:12, 13 April 2025 (UTC)

| ntupdate = 15:15, 15 March 2018 (UTC)

}}

Robbie Muirhead (born 8 March 1996) is a Scottish professional footballer, who plays as a forward for {{Scottish football updater|Livingst}} club Livingston.

Muirhead began his career with Kilmarnock before joining Dundee United in February 2015. After a loan spell with Partick Thistle between September 2015 to January 2016, Muirhead was released by Dundee United in April 2016, before signing for Heart of Midlothian. In 2017, he moved to Milton Keynes Dons, then spent a season at Dunfermline Athletic.

He has represented Scotland at all levels up to U19 level.

Early life

Born in Irvine, Scotland, Muirhead was known for playing football and golf locally, and was mentioned on several occasions in his local newspaper.

Muirhead is also the first and still the only boy to win both the West of Scotland Cup and Scottish Cup when representing Annanhill Primary School during year 6 and year 7 when he was Captain of the schools team.{{cite news|title=East Ayrshire pupils retain Scottish Cup|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/east-ayrshire-pupils-retain-scottish-2451360|work=Daily Record|date=3 July 2008|accessdate=8 March 2015}}{{cite news|title=Schools are just champion|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/schools-are-just-champion-2453876|work=Daily Record|date=26 June 2008|accessdate=8 March 2015}}

Club career

=Kilmarnock=

Muirhead joined Kilmarnock academy before joining the first team.{{cite news|title=Kilmarnock FC: Killie kid Robbie Muirhead a Scotland scoring sensation.|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/kilmarnock-fc-killie-kid-robbie-2407405|work=Daily Record|date=21 September 2012|accessdate=8 March 2015}} He made his professional league debut in the last game of the season, coming on as a substitute in the second half for Cillian Sheridan, in a 3–1 loss against St Mirren, which was Kenny Shiels's last game as Kilmarnock Manager.{{cite news|title=Kilmarnock 1 – 3 St Mirren|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22491346|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 May 2013|accessdate=8 March 2015}}

Muirhead's playing time in the 2013–14 season soon increased with 21 appearances and scoring twice against Partick Thistle.{{cite news|title=Partick Thistle 1–1 Kilmarnock|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25693256|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 January 2014|accessdate=8 March 2015}} and St Johnstone.{{cite news|title=Kilmarnock 1–2 St Johnstone|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/26796708|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 March 2015|accessdate=8 March 2015}} His first team chance attracted interests from English clubs.{{cite news|title=Transfer Talk, 29 January: Moves at Hearts, Lee Wallace on the way out at Rangers while Celtic make a second bid for Leigh Griffiths|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/transfer-talk-january-29-moves-3088322|work=Daily Record|date=29 January 2014|accessdate=8 March 2015}}

In the first half of the 2014–15 season, Muirhead added two more goals to his career tally, against Motherwell{{cite news|title=Kilmarnock 2 Motherwell 0: Josh Magennis insists Killie are on the verge of a goals fest|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/kilmarnock-2-motherwell-0-josh-4098293|accessdate=8 March 2015}} and St Mirren.{{cite news|title=Kilmarnock 2–1 St Mirren|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29090489|publisher=BBC Sport|date=13 September 2014|accessdate=8 March 2015}} His two goals to his tally career led Daily Record naming Muirhead as the next successor to Kris Boyd.{{cite news|title=Record FC Kilmarnock: Killie have found a successor to goal king Kris Boyd in young star Robbie Muirhead|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/opinion/sport/record-fc-kilmarnock-killie-found-4106854|work=Daily Record|date=25 August 2014|accessdate=8 March 2015}}

=Dundee United=

Muirhead left Kilmarnock to sign for Dundee United on the transfer deadline day for a fee of £150,000 plus add-ons, as well as signing a three-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://dufc.co/news/muirhead-becomes-tangerine/ |title=MUIRHEAD BECOMES A TANGERINE |publisher=Dundee United F.C. |accessdate=8 March 2015 |date=3 February 2015 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308192552/http://dufc.co/news/muirhead-becomes-tangerine/ |archivedate=8 March 2015 }} The sale of Muirhead caused the Kilmarnock manager Allan Johnston to resign in protest.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31161073 |title=Allan Johnston: Kilmarnock manager relieved of duties |publisher=BBC Sport |date=6 February 2015 |accessdate=6 February 2015}} Celtic was also keen to sign Muirhead, having signed Dundee United's Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven.{{cite web |title=Celtic make move for teenage Kilmarnock forward Robbie Muirhead |url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/celtic/308882-celtic-make-move-for-teenage-kilmarnock-forward-robbie-muirhead/ |work=STV Sport |publisher=STV |date=2 February 2015 |accessdate=8 March 2015}} Muirhead made his Dundee United debut, coming on as a substitute for Henri Anier, in a 3–2 loss against Kilmarnock.{{cite web|title=Kilmarnock 3 – 2 Dundee United |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31367647|publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 February 2015|accessdate=8 March 2015}} He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win against Aberdeen on 2 May.{{cite web|title=Dundee United 1 – 0 Aberdeen|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32447990|publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 May 2015|accessdate=29 June 2015}} He followed this up three days later with another goal, in a 2–1 defeat against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.{{cite web|title=Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 – 1 Dundee United|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/31776402|publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 May 2015|accessdate=29 June 2015}}

On 1 September 2015, Muirhead was loaned to fellow Scottish Premiership club Partick Thistle on an initial three-month deal.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/34114755 |title=Robbie Muirhead: Partick Thistle sign Dundee United forward on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 September 2015 |accessdate=1 September 2015}} Muirhead scored his first and second goal, including a 30-yard strike, for Thistle in a 5–2 win on 28 November against his former club Kilmarnock.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34887441 |first=Jonathan |last=Sutherland |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 November 2015 |accessdate=30 April 2016 |title=Kilmarnock 2–5 Partick Thistle}} He returned to Dundee United on 4 January 2016 following the expiry of his loan period.{{cite web |title=Robbie Muirhead back at Dundee Utd after Partick Thistle loan| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35225352 |accessdate=4 January 2016|publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 January 2016}} Muirhead did not play for United after his return, and was released from his contract in April 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36172361 |title=Robbie Muirhead: Striker parts company with Dundee United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2016 |accessdate=30 April 2016}}

=Heart of Midlothian=

Muirhead signed a one-year deal with Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian in June 2016.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36515471 |title=Robbie Muirhead: Hearts sign forward on one-year deal |first=Brian |last=McLaughlin |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 June 2016 |accessdate=13 June 2016}} On 30 November 2016, Muirhead scored twice in a 2–0 win over Rangers.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38073798 |title=Heart of Midlothian 2–0 Rangers |publisher=BBC Sport |date=30 November 2016 |accessdate=19 January 2017 }}

=Milton Keynes Dons=

On 19 January 2017, Muirhead signed a two-and-a-half-year deal to join English League One side Milton Keynes Dons for an undisclosed fee.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/2016-17/muirhead-makes-mk1-move-mk-dons-robbie-muirhead-heart-of-midlothian-efl-transfer-mk-dons-transfer-scottish-premiership-3528221.aspx |title=Muirhead makes MK1 move |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons Official Site |date=19 January 2017 |accessdate=19 January 2017 }}

He made his debut coming on as a substitute in a 5–3 home league win over Northampton Town on 21 January 2017. On 1 April 2017, Muirhead scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 home league win over Gillingham.{{Cite web |url=http://www.mkdons.com/news/article/2016-17/report-mk-dons-3-2-gillingham-3652312.aspx |title=Report: MK Dons 3–2 Gillingham |publisher=Milton Keynes Dons Official Site |date=1 April 2017 |accessdate=1 April 2017 }} On 13 March 2018, Muirhead scored twice in a 3–2 home win against Rotherham United.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42756423 |title=Milton Keynes Dons 3-2 Rotherham United |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 March 2018 |accessdate=13 March 2018 }}

=Dunfermline Athletic=

On 31 August 2018, Muirhead joined Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic for an undisclosed fee, signing a one-year deal.{{Cite web |url=https://www.dafc.co.uk/story.php?t=DAFC_sign_Robbie_Muirhead_&ID=10812 |title=DAFC sign Robbie Muirhead |publisher=Dunfermline Athletic |date=31 August 2018 |accessdate=31 August 2018 }} He left in May 2019.{{cite web |url=https://dafc.co.uk/story.php?t=Player_Update_&ID=11225 |title=Player update |publisher=Dunfermline Athletic FC |date=6 May 2019 |accessdate=6 May 2019}}

=Greenock Morton=

On 12 June 2019, Muirhead signed for Greenock Morton on a one-year contract.{{cite web|title=Muirhead: 'Morton boss will get the best out of me'|url=https://www.greenocktelegraph.co.uk/sport/17697612.muirhead-morton-boss-will-get-the-best-out-of-me/|publisher=Greenock Telegraph|last=Thomas|first=Adam|date=12 June 2019|accessdate=21 July 2019}} He scored his first goal for the club in a 0–5 victory against Annan Athletic in the Scottish League Cup group stages on 23 July 2019.{{Cite news |title=Annan Athletic v Greenock Morton |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48998162 |access-date=2023-02-26}}

Muirhead would have a slow start to life at Morton, scoring very rarely for the club. He would be offered another contract by manager David Hopkin at the early end of the season brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

His second season in white and blue was also fairly quiet, scoring 4 goals for the season, 3 of these coming in both legs of the Championship play-off final against Airdrieonians, including a stunning 18-yard volley at Cappielow.{{Cite news |title=MacPherson hails Morton 'miracle' |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/57110435 |access-date=2023-02-26}} Muirhead was promptly offered another year-long contract following this.

Muirhead started slowly again in season 2021/2022; however, his form took a slight turn for the better under manager Dougie Imrie, scoring 4 times in the second half of the season, including against Motherwell{{Cite news |title=Motherwell beat Morton after extra time |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60005997 |access-date=2023-02-26}} and his former club Partick Thistle.{{Cite news |title=Thistle promotion bid dented by Morton |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60628569 |access-date=2023-02-26}} Muirhead would sign a two-year contract{{Cite web |date=2022-05-30 |title=Robbie Muirhead Pens Contract Extension |url=https://www.gmfc.net/robbie-muirhead-pens-contract-extension/ |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=Greenock Morton FC |language=en-GB}} in the summer of 2022.

Muirhead would finally regain his form in the 2022/2023 season, scoring his first goal of the season against Ayr United in a 2–1 home defeat,{{Cite news |title=Championship leaders Ayr extend unbeaten start |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62697821 |access-date=2023-02-23}} however would go on to hit the 10 goal mark in a season for the first time in his career. Muirhead was also awarded Championship Player of the Month for September/October.{{Cite web |title=Muirhead nets Championship award {{!}} SPFL |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/muirhead-nets-championship-award |access-date=2023-02-23 |website=spfl.co.uk}} He would go on to finish the season with a total of 13 goals, scoring on the last day of the season in a 2–1 away win over Cove Rangers, a goal which would relegate the Aberdeenshire side to league 1.{{Cite news |title=Cove relegated as Morton miss out on play-off spot |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65420806 |access-date=2023-05-06}}

The 23/24 season would further build upon Muirhead's form at Morton. The striker would score his first of the season in a pre-season "friendly" against Morton's rivals St Mirren at Cappielow in a 2–0 victory.{{Cite web |last=Sofascore |title=Greenock Morton vs St. Mirren live score, H2H and lineups {{!}} Sofascore |url=https://www.sofascore.com/greenock-morton-st-mirren/jXszX |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=www.sofascore.com |language=en}} Muirhead's first competetive goal of the season would come in the opening game of the Championship, scoring a Penalty to take the lead against Ayr United in what would become a 3–1 victory.{{Cite news |title=Morton battle back to beat Ayr |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66194523 |access-date=2024-05-13 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} In spite of what proved to be an up-and-down season for Morton, Muirhead was a consistent source of goals for the club, especially in the middle of the season, as he not only bagged his first career hattrick in a 4–1 cup win over Kelty Hearts on 14 October 2023,{{Cite news |title=Greenock Morton v Kelty Hearts |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67112053 |access-date=2024-05-13 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} he also bagged his second "perfect" hattrick in a 3–0 home victory against Ayr United just 3 months later on 2 January 2024.{{Cite news |title=Muirhead hat-trick propels Morton past Ayr |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67821093 |access-date=2024-05-13 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}

Similar to the 22/23 season, not only did Morton finish 5th, but Muirhead was the club's top goalscorer again, scoring 17 goals in 45 games, bettering his tally from the previous season by 4 goals. This, however, would prove to be Muirhead's final season at Cappielow, as on 10 May 2024, Morton announced that Muirhead would be departing the club upon the expiry of his contract in summer 2024.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-10 |title=Robbie Muirhead departs - Greenock Morton FC |url=https://gmfc.net/robbie-muirhead-departs/,%20https://gmfc.net/robbie-muirhead-departs/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |language=en-US}} In his time at Greenock Morton (2019-2024), Muirhead racked up a total of 167 appearances, scoring 44 goals.

=Livingston=

On 10 May 2024, Livingston Football Club announced that Robbie Muirhead had signed a pre-contract agreement, and would join the club upon the expiry of his contract at Greenock Morton in summer 2024.{{Cite web |last=Black |first=Dave |date=2024-05-10 |title=Robbie heads for the Lions! |url=https://livingstonfc.co.uk/robbie-heads-for-the-lions/ |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=Livingston FC |language=en-GB}}

International career

Muirhead has previously represented Scotland at U16, U17, U18 and U19 international levels.{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=1921&playerID=127112&squadID=21 |title=Robbie Muirhead |publisher=scottishfa.co.uk |accessdate=19 January 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308175547/http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=1921&playerID=127112&squadID=21 |archivedate=8 March 2015 |url-status=unfit }}{{cite web|url=http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/Article?id=1327 |title=Q&A Robbie Muirhead |publisher=Kilmarnock F.C. |accessdate=8 March 2015 |date=15 October 2014 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308192843/http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/Article?id=1327 |archivedate=8 March 2015 |url-status=unfit }} While playing for Scotland U19, Muirhead scored a goal that was nominated for a "goal of the season" award by UEFA.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33679153 |title=Scots teenager up against Messi, Ronaldo & Neymar for best goal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 July 2015 |accessdate=27 July 2015}} On 13 March 2018, Muirhead was called up to the Scotland U21 national team for the first time.{{Cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43388190 |title=Scotland U21s call on Chelsea's Harvey St Clair, Anthony Ralston returns |publisher=BBC Sport |date=13 March 2018 |accessdate=15 March 2018 }}

Career statistics

{{updated|7 June 2021}}{{Soccerbase|id=70127}}{{Soccerway|robbie-muirhead/261365}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Scottish Cup, FA Cup}}

!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Scottish League Cup, EFL Cup}}

!colspan="2"|Other

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
rowspan="4"|Kilmarnock

|2012–13

|Scottish Premier League

|1

00000colspan="2"|—10
2013–14

|Scottish Premiership

|21

20000colspan="2"|—212
2014–15

|Scottish Premiership

|20

21010colspan="2"|—222
colspan="2"|Total

!42

4101000444
rowspan="3"|Dundee United

|2014–15

|Scottish Premiership

|13

20000colspan="2"|—132
2015–16

|Scottish Premiership

|3

00000colspan="2"|—30
colspan="2"|Total

!16

2000000162
Partick Thistle (loan)

|2015–16

|Scottish Premiership

|8

20000colspan="2"|—82
Heart of Midlothian

|2016–17

|Scottish Premiership

|18

2001000192
rowspan="4"|Milton Keynes Dons

|2016–17

|League One

|19

2000000192
2017–18

|League One

|30

310204{{efn|Appearances in EFL Trophy}}0373
2018–19

|League Two

|0

000100010
colspan="2"|Total

!49

5103040575
Dunfermline Athletic

|2018–19

|Scottish Championship

|12

010001{{efn|name=SCC|Appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup}}0140
rowspan=4|Greenock Morton

|2019–20

|Scottish Championship

|13

020311{{efn|name=SCC}}0191
2020–21

|Scottish Championship

|13

131404{{efn|Appearances in Scottish Championship play–offs}}3245
2021–22

|Scottish Championship

|0

000000000
colspan=2|Total

!26

1517153436
colspan="3"|Career total

!171

16811229320122

{{notelist}}

Honours

Livingston

  • Scottish Challenge Cup: 2024–25{{cite web |title=Queen's Park vs Livingston |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cz03vzdrgmpt|publisher=BBC|date=30 March 2025}}
  • Scottish Premiership play-offs: 2025{{cite web |title=Ross County 2-4 Livingston|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cpd41v9p65xt#Line-ups|publisher=BBC|date=26 May 2025}}

References