Gary Oliver (born 14 July 1995)[1] is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Scottish Championship side Falkirk. Oliver started his career at Heart of Midlothian, before a loan spell at Stenhousemuir, followed by one season with Queen of the South, before spending three seasons with Greenock Morton. On 5 August 2020, after leaving the Doonhamers, Oliver returned to Ton, and spent two more seasons there. Oliver has also earned four caps for Scotland U19's.
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 14 July 1995 | ||
Place of birth | Glasgow, Scotland | ||
Position(s) | Striker | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Falkirk | ||
Number | 18 | ||
Youth career | |||
–2013 | Heart of Midlothian | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2013–2015 | Heart of Midlothian | 18 | (1) |
2014 | → Stenhousemuir (loan) | 11 | (2) |
2015–2016 | Queen of the South | 28 | (6) |
2016–2019 | Greenock Morton | 80 | (13) |
2019–2020 | Queen of the South | 20 | (4) |
2020–2022 | Greenock Morton | 55 | (8) |
2022– | Falkirk | 57 | (11) |
International career‡ | |||
2013–2014 | Scotland U19 | 4 | (1) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 August 2024 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 10:28, 17 February 2021 (UTC) |
Club career
editOliver was born in Glasgow and joined Heart of Midlothian's youth academy in Edinburgh. Oliver's professional debut for Hearts was in a Scottish League Cup match against Raith Rovers on 27 August 2013, coming on as a substitute in the 55th minute, replacing midfielder Scott Robinson.[2] Four days later Oliver made his league debut for the club, coming on as substitute for Callum Tapping in the 61st minute in a 2–0 defeat to Inverness Caledonian Thistle.[3]
Under the management of Gary Locke, Oliver was one of the youngsters to get an opportunity in the first team, as a result of Hearts entering administration, as well as having an injury crisis at that particular time.[4] Oliver ended his first season at the club with 8 league appearances, as Hearts were relegated to the Scottish Championship. His season, however, was overshadowed when he injured his ankle during a match against Inverness Caley Thistle and was sidelined for three weeks.[5] Oliver signed a new one-year contract extension after Hearts ended their period of administration.[6] On 23 August 2014 Oliver scored his first goal for Hearts in a 4–0 win over Raith Rovers, scoring in the 90th minute.[7]
On 1 September 2014, Oliver joined Scottish League One club Stenhousemuir on loan until 5 January 2015.[8] Oliver then played against the Ochilview Park club later that season during March 2015, after his loan spell had ended, scoring a goal as Hearts won 2–1.[9] During his loan spell at Stenhousemuir, Oliver had scored two goals and set-up another goal in a 4–0 win over Stirling Albion on 19 October 2014.[10] On 19 December 2014, Oliver's loan spell at Ochilview ended early, as he was recalled by Hearts after appearing in 11 league matches and scoring two goals.[11]
After one season in Dumfries, Oliver signed for his uncle Jim Duffy's club Greenock Morton.[12] After his two-year deal ended, Oliver signed a one-year contract extension with the Greenock club.[13]
In November 2018, Oliver sustained a broken collarbone in a challenge with Peterhead's ex-Ton midfielder Jamie Stevenson, that kept him out of first-team action for two months.[14]
On 10 June 2019, Oliver signed a two-year contract with Dumfries club Queen of the South, where he returns for a second spell.[15]
On 5 August 2020, Oliver signed a one-year deal with Greenock Morton for his second spell with the club, having triggered a clause in his contract with Queens, after not playing enough matches for the club during the 2019–20 season to remain at Palmerston.[16]
On 9 June 2022, Oliver was signed by Scottish League One side Falkirk on a one-year deal with the option of a further one-year extension.[17][18] He scored his first goal for Falkirk in a 3–1 victory at home against Peterhead.[19]
International career
editDuring October 2013, Oliver was called up by Ricky Sbragia for the Scotland under-19 squad.[20] Oliver made his Scotland U19 debut in a 1–1 draw against Germany under-19's[21] and scored his first goal in a 4–2 win over Switzerland under-19's.[22]
Career statistics
edit- As of 10 June 2022
Club | Season | League | Scottish Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
Heart of Midlothian | 2013–14[23] | Scottish Premiership | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
2014–15[24] | Scottish Championship | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2[a] | 0 | 12 | 2 | |
2015–16[25] | Scottish Premiership | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
Total | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 2 | ||
Stenhousemuir (loan) | 2014–15[24] | Scottish League One | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 2 |
Queen of the South | 2015–16[25] | Scottish Championship | 28 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 6 |
Greenock Morton | 2016–17[26] | Scottish Championship | 30 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 3[b] | 0 | 42 | 8 |
2017–18[27] | 32 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 0 | 37 | 6 | ||
2018–19[28] | 18 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 2 | ||
Total | 80 | 13 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 104 | 16 | ||
Queen of the South | 2019–20[29] | Scottish Championship | 20 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 5 |
Greenock Morton | 2020–21[30] | Scottish Championship | 20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4[c] | 3 | 28 | 5 |
2021–22[31] | 35 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 44 | 6 | ||
Total | 55 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 72 | 11 | ||
Falkirk | 2022–23[32] | Scottish League One | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career total | 215 | 37 | 14 | 1 | 29 | 3 | 14 | 4 | 272 | 45 |
- ^ a b c Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
- ^ One appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two in the Premiership play-offs
- ^ Appearances in the Scottish Championship play-offs
Personal life
editOliver was born in Glasgow and attended Cleveden Secondary School. Oliver is the nephew of his former Greenock Morton manager Jim Duffy.[33]
Honours
edit- Falkirk
References
edit- ^ "Gary Oliver Biography". hydc.co.uk. Heart of Midlothian Youth Development Committee. Archived from the original on 25 May 2014. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
- ^ "Raith Rovers 1 – 1 Hearts". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 August 2013.
- ^ "Inverness Caledonian Thistle 2 – 0 Heart of Midlothian". BBC Sport. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "Hearts boss Gary Locke uses youth players to combat injury list". BBC Sport. 12 December 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "Hearts kid Oliver ruled out for three weeks". edinburghnews.scotsman.com. Edinburgh Evening News. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "SPFL: Scotland Under-19 forward Gary Oliver signs new one-year Hearts deal". Sky Sports. 24 June 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "Raith Rovers 0–4 Heart of Midlothian". BBC Sport. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "Oliver out on loan". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 3 September 2014. Retrieved 1 September 2014.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Stenhousemuir 1–2 Heart of Midlothian". BBC Sport. 26 August 2014. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
- ^ "League One Round-Up: Binos boss quits after Stenny rout, Loons stay on top thanks to keeper heroics". Daily Record. 19 October 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
- ^ "GARY BACK FROM LOAN". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 19 December 2014. Archived from the original on 19 December 2014. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Mitchell, Jonathan (3 June 2016). "Morton add new face as boss Duffy signs his nephew". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 4 June 2016.
- ^ Mitchell, Jonathan (15 June 2018). "Gary Oliver signs one-year contract extension". Greenock Morton F.C. Retrieved 18 June 2018.
- ^ Jonathan Mitchell. "Oliver out for 8 weeks with broken collarbone". gmfc.net. Greenock Morton F.C.
- ^ "Striker Joins". qosfc.com. 10 June 2019.
- ^ "PLAYER CONTRACT UPDATE". gmfc.net. 5 August 2020.
- ^ "McGinn teams up with former Hibs team-mate as he completes Falkirk switch". edinburghnews.scotsman.com.
- ^ "GARY OLIVER SIGNS!". Falkirk Football Club. 9 June 2022. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ "Falkirk v Peterhead". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2022.
- ^ "Scotland Under-19 squad named for Euro qualifiers". Scottish Football Association. 2 October 2013. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Scotland U19 1 – 1 Germany U19". Scottish Football Association. 15 October 2013. Archived from the original on 30 March 2015. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Young Jambos' national success". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 6 March 2014. Archived from the original on 2 August 2014. Retrieved 30 March 2015.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Games played by Gary Oliver in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- ^ a b "Games played by Gary Oliver in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- ^ a b "Games played by Gary Oliver in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Gary Oliver in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Gary Oliver in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 November 2017.
- ^ "Games played by Gary Oliver in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 23 May 2019.
- ^ "Games played by Gary Oliver in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Gary Oliver in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 6 January 2021.
- ^ "Games played by Gary Oliver in 2021/2022". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ "Games played by Gary Oliver in 2022/2023". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 10 June 2022.
- ^ "Flown From the Nest Dedicated to every Norwich City Player since 1980 Jim Duffy". ex-canaries.co.uk. Flown From the Nest. 26 January 2015. Retrieved 2 November 2015.
External links
edit- Gary Oliver at Soccerbase
- Gary Oliver on X