Michael James Devlin (born 3 October 1993) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Ayr United. He has previously played for Hamilton Academical, Stenhousemuir, Aberdeen, Fleetwood Town, Hibernian and Livingston. He was selected for Scotland three times in 2019.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Full name | Michael James Devlin[1] | ||
Date of birth | [2] | 3 October 1993||
Place of birth | Motherwell, Scotland | ||
Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)[3] | ||
Position(s) | Centre-back | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Ayr United | ||
Number | 5 | ||
Youth career | |||
Heart of Midlothian | |||
2007–2009 | Aberdeen | ||
2009–2010 | Celtic | ||
2010–2011 | Hamilton Academical | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2011–2018 | Hamilton Academical | 125 | (4) |
2011 | → Stenhousemuir (loan) | 10 | (3) |
2012 | → Stenhousemuir (loan) | 13 | (0) |
2018–2022 | Aberdeen | 37 | (1) |
2022–2023 | Fleetwood Town | 2 | (0) |
2023 | Hibernian | 1 | (0) |
2023–2024 | Livingston | 29 | (0) |
2024– | Ayr United | 0 | (0) |
International career‡ | |||
2019 | Scotland | 3 | (0) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:47, 19 May 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 18:46, 16 November 2019 (UTC) |
Club career
editEarly career
editBorn in Motherwell,[3] Devlin grew up in a street near to fellow footballer Mark Reynolds and attended the same school, where the older pupil was held up as an example to follow.[4] As a teenager Devlin spent time in the youth systems of Heart of Midlothian, Aberdeen and Celtic,[4] making the squad for a Glasgow Cup final with the latter in May 2010.[5]
Hamilton Academical
editHe was picked up by Hamilton Academical, with assurances that hard work would result in a swift path to first team football.[4] He made his senior debut for Hamilton in the Scottish Premier League on 15 January 2011, aged 16,[6] in a 0–4 defeat away at Rangers;[7] the performance of Devlin and other young players in that match, including Lee Kilday who also made his debut, was praised by manager Billy Reid.[8]
He signed on loan for Stenhousemuir on 16 March 2011,[9] and re-joined the Warriors on an emergency loan in February 2012,[10] at the same time signing a two-year contract extension with Hamilton.[11]
He scored his first goal for the Accies in the Scottish Cup in December 2012.[12] In February 2014, he signed a contract extension until the end of the 2014–15 season.[13]
In August 2016 he was appointed the club's new captain.[14] In May 2017, he was involved in an altercation with a fan following a 1–0 home Lanarkshire derby defeat to relegation rivals Motherwell.[15] In the last regular game of the 2016–17 season, Devlin suffered a serious knee injury, meaning he missed the club's two relegation play-off matches.[16]
Aberdeen
editDevlin moved to Aberdeen in January 2018 for an undisclosed fee, despite having not yet fully recovered from the knee injury suffered in May 2017.[17][6] He eventually made his competitive debut for Aberdeen on 26 July 2018, in the first leg of a Europa League tie against Burnley at Pittodrie Stadium.[18][19]
In August 2020 he was one of eight Aberdeen players who received a suspended three-match ban from the Scottish FA after they breached coronavirus-related restrictions by visiting a bar earlier in the month.[20] He missed most of the 2020–21 season due to hamstring and ankle ligament injuries,[21] and agreed new short-term contracts during 2021–22 with it being anticipated that he would eventually return to full fitness,[22] but by April 2022 he had yet to be named in a matchday squad, and it was initially announced that he would leave Aberdeen at the end of the season[23] but soon clarified that this would be immediate.[24][25]
Fleetwood Town
editDevlin trained with English club Fleetwood Town, managed by his former Aberdeen teammate Scott Brown, in June 2022.[26] He signed a short term contract with Fleetwood in August 2022.[27] He departed the club in January following the expiration of his short-term deal.[28]
Hibernian
editAfter leaving Fleetwood before the end of the January transfer window, Devlin trained with Hibernian.[29] He signed a short-term contract with the club on 13 February 2023.[30]
Livingston
editDevlin left Hibs at the end of the 2022–23 season and signed for Livingston.[31][32] He was appointed club captain.[33]
Ayr United
editAfter leaving Livingston at the end of the 2023–24 season, he signed for Ayr United in July 2024.[34][35]
International career
editDevlin was included in the Scotland squad for the first time in October 2018.[36] He was recalled in May 2019, one of five uncapped players to feature.[37] He made his international debut on 10 October 2019 in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Russia, playing the whole match as Scotland lost 0–4.[38]
Career statistics
edit- As of 19 May 2024[3]
Club | Season | League | Scottish Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Hamilton Academical | 2010–11[7] | Scottish Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
2011–12[39] | Scottish First Division | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
2012–13[40] | Scottish First Division | 22 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 27 | 2 | |
2013–14[41] | Scottish Championship | 27 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 32 | 1 | |
2014–15[42] | Scottish Premiership | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | 32 | 0 | ||
2015–16[43] | Scottish Premiership | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 17 | 0 | ||
2016–17[44] | Scottish Premiership | 28 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 2 | |
2017–18[45] | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
Total | 125 | 4 | 8 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 148 | 5 | ||
Stenhousemuir (loan) | 2010–11[7] | Scottish Second Division | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 3 |
2011–12[39] | Scottish Second Division | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
Total | 23 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 3 | ||
Aberdeen | 2017–18[45] | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
2018–19[18] | Scottish Premiership | 22 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2[b] | 0 | 30 | 1 | |
2019–20[46] | Scottish Premiership | 14 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
2020–21[47] | Scottish Premiership | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
2021–22[48] | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
Total | 37 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 1 | ||
Fleetwood Town | 2022–23[49] | EFL League One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Hibernian | 2022–23[49] | Scottish Premiership | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Livingston | 2023–24[50] | Scottish Premiership | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 0 |
Career total | 217 | 8 | 15 | 1 | 23 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 262 | 9 |
- ^ a b Appearance in Scottish Challenge Cup
- ^ a b Appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearance(s) in the EFL Trophy.
References
edit- ^ A Record of Post-war Scottish League Players 1946/47 to 2017/18. 7. John Litster and Scottish Football Historian magazine. 2018.
- ^ "Squad Numbers 2010–11". Hamilton Academical F.C. official website. Archived from the original on 12 December 2010. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
- ^ a b c Mikey Devlin at Soccerway. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
- ^ a b c "Matchday interview: Michael Devlin". Aberdeen F.C. 7 August 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- ^ "Gers Retain Glasgow Cup". Rangers Youths. 5 May 2010. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
- ^ a b "Club Statement- Michael Devlin". Hamilton Academical FC. 26 January 2018. Retrieved 10 August 2018.
- ^ a b c "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ "Billy Reid praises young Hamilton team". BBC Sport. 15 January 2011. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
- ^ "Stenhousemuir add Devlin". Scottish Football League. 16 March 2011. Archived from the original on 16 July 2011. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
- ^ "Devlin Goes on Loan". Hamilton Academical F.C.
- ^ "Two Agree New Deals". Hamilton Academical F.C. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014.
- ^ McGilvray, Andrew (20 December 2012). "Devlin thrilled with wonder goal". Hamilton Advertiser.
- ^ "Devlin Extends Contract". Hamilton Academical F.C. 25 February 2014. Retrieved 25 February 2014.
- ^ "Michael Devlin: 'I'm ready for captaincy at Hamilton Accies'". BBC Sport. 1 August 2016. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
- ^ Lamont, Alasdair (15 May 2017). "Hamilton Accies: Manager Martin Canning calls for unity in relegation battle". BBC Sport. Retrieved 15 May 2017.
- ^ Barnes, John (23 May 2017). "Hamilton Accies' Mikey Devlin to miss both legs against Dundee United through injury". BBC Sport. Retrieved 23 May 2017.
- ^ "Michael Devlin: Aberdeen sign defender and reject third McKenna bid". BBC Sport. 26 January 2018. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
- ^ a b "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ English, Tom (26 July 2018). "Aberdeen 1–1 Burnley". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 July 2018.
- ^ "Celtic's Boli Bolingoli gets three-game ban; 'Aberdeen eight' receive three-match suspended ban". BBC. 28 August 2020.
- ^ Burns, Scott (11 December 2020). "Mikey Devlin suffers more Aberdeen injury misery as luckless defender sidelined until March". Daily Record. Retrieved 29 May 2021.
- ^ "New Aberdeen contract for defender Mikey Devlin, confirms boss Stephen Glass". Press and Journal. 31 January 2022. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
- ^ "Michael Devlin to leave Aberdeen this summer". Press and Journal. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- ^ "Michael Devlin to depart the Dons". Aberdeen FC. 8 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ "Aberdeen exit explained as star opens up on injury nightmare that has ended Pittodrie stint". Daily Record. 26 April 2022. Retrieved 26 April 2022.
- ^ Paton, Ewan (27 June 2022). "Mikey Devlin handed 'transfer chance' by Scott Brown at Fleetwood Town". Glasgow Times. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
- ^ "Fleetwood sign Scotland international Devlin". BBC Sport. 26 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ "Devlin leaves the club after the expiration of this contract". www.fleetwoodtownfc.com. 31 January 2023. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
- ^ Brown, Anthony (2 February 2023). "Lee Johnson hands Michael Devlin chance to earn contract at Hibernian". The Irish News. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
- ^ McPartlin, Patrick (13 February 2023). "Hibs confirm signing of Mikey Devlin as defender signs short-term deal". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
- ^ "Mikey Devlin joins the Lions". Livingston FC. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ "Hibernian: Aiden McGeady released after injury-hit season along with Mikey Devlin & Kevin Dabrowski". BBC Sport. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Evans, Anthony (26 July 2023). "Ex-Aberdeen defender Mikey Devlin named as new Livingston captain". Aberdeen Live.
- ^ "Mikey Devlin Joins Ayr United". Ayr United FC.
- ^ Wilson, Stuart (18 July 2024). "Mikey Devlin: Ayr United ambition made Scott Brown reunion an easy call". Daily Record.
- ^ Lewis, Jane (13 October 2018). "Scotland: Charlie Mulgrew, John Souttar, Kieran Tierney and Robert Snodgrass withdraw from squad". BBC Sport. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
- ^ "Scotland squad: Steve Clarke selects five uncapped players". BBC Sport. 28 May 2019. Retrieved 26 August 2019.
- ^ "Russia v Scotland game report". ESPN. 10 October 2019.
- ^ a b "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 16 November 2017.
- ^ a b "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 26 January 2018.
- ^ "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 November 2020.
- ^ "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 9 August 2021.
- ^ a b "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
- ^ "Games played by Mikey Devlin in 2023/2024". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 November 2023.