Gary Harkins’ career spanned over 15 clubs, from Blackburn to Dundee, Partick, Kilmarnock, and beyond. 00:00 Gary Harkins Blackburn Rovers – “I thought I wouldn’t make it at Celtic” ⚽ Gary Harkins: Career Overview 🔹 Early Career & Youth Development ⚽ Came through youth academies at Celtic & Blackburn Rovers 🌟 Played in Blackburn Rover’s under-19 squad, helping them win the national age-group title 🏆 Highly rated in the academy but never made a competitive first-team appearance 📍 Loan Spells from Blackburn Rovers Huddersfield Town (2004) – Brief stint with three appearances Bury (2005) – Five appearances in a month-long loan Blackpool (2005–06) – Six appearances, two goals 🏟️ Grimsby Town (2006–07) – First Permanent Move Signed a two-year contract but struggled with homesickness and a falling-out with manager Alan Buckley Made 20 appearances, but mutually parted ways after one season 🔴 Partick Thistle (2007–2009) – Breakthrough in Scotland ✍️ Signed a one-year contract and later extended it Transitioned from defender to attacking midfielder, increasing his impact 🏆 2008–09: First Division Player of the Year & Partick Thistle Player of the Year ⚽ Top scorer for Partick Thistle in 2008–09 (12 goals) 🔄 Transfer to Dundee followed 🔹 Dundee (2009–11) – Making a Name in Scottish Football 🔄 Moved to Dundee for £150,000 ⚽ 2009–10: Scored 19 goals in all competitions 🏆 Helped Dundee win the Scottish Challenge Cup (2009) ⚽ Named club captain in 2010–11, led team through administration crisis 🔵 Kilmarnock (2011–2013) – First Top-Flight Experience ✍️ Signed for Kilmarnock in 2011 🏆 Won the Scottish League Cup in 2012 ⚽ Mixed spell, with injury setbacks and a fallout with manager Kenny Shiels 🔄 Dundee (2013) – Second Spell Rejoined Dundee in 2013 but couldn’t prevent relegation ⚽ Scored twice against former club Kilmarnock 🔴 St Mirren (2013–2014) – Short Stay ✍️ Signed a two-year deal but struggled for game time Loaned to Oldham Athletic after falling out of favour 🔵 Oldham Athletic (2014, Loan) – Revival in England ⚽ Scored five goals in 24 appearances Became a fan favorite for his performances 🔹 Dundee (2014–2016) – Third Spell 🔄 Returned to Dundee for the third time in 2014 ⚽ Scored against Manchester City in a pre-season friendly Viral celebration – WWE-style wrestling move earned approval from Randy Orton! ✍️ Contract extended in 2016, but soon fell out with management ⚫ Ayr United (2016–2017) – Player-Coach Role Signed two-year deal as a player-coach ⚽ Contributed six goals but team was relegated 🟢 Greenock Morton (2017–2018) – Return Home ✍️ Joined hometown club ⚽ Scored eight goals in 41 games 🔵 Queen of the South (2018) – Mixed Success ⚽ Scored on debut, but left mid-season after expressing a desire to move on 🔴 Partick Thistle (2018–2020) – Second Spell ✍️ Signed an 18-month deal ⚽ Scored once in 16 appearances, but injuries limited impact ⚽ Final Playing Years & Coaching Transition Stenhousemuir (2020) – Short stint, ended due to COVID-19 pandemic 🔄 Came out of retirement for Gartcairn Juniors (2020) but never played a game Forfar Athletic (2021–2022) – Player-coach, then assistant manager Kilbirnie Ladeside (2022–2023) – Player-coach role Glenafton Athletic (2023) – Assistant manager and player 🏆 Legacy & Coaching Future Known for flair, vision, and creativity in midfield Nicknamed “Zizou” after Zinedine Zidane Holds a UEFA B coaching license, looking to develop in management More to Watch: Best football club team of all time:
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