Craig Dargo Explained

Craig Dargo
Fullname:Craig Peter Dargo
Birth Date:3 January 1978
Birth Place:Edinburgh, Scotland
Position:Striker
Youthclubs1:Raith Rovers
Years1:1995–2000
Years2:2000–2005
Years3:2005–2007
Years4:2007–2011
Years5:2011–2012
Years6:2012
Years7:2012–2014
Years8:2014–2015
Clubs1:Raith Rovers
Clubs2:Kilmarnock
Clubs3:Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Clubs4:St Mirren
Clubs5:Partick Thistle
Clubs6:Dumbarton
Clubs7:Dunfermline Athletic
Clubs8:Berwick Rangers
Caps1:82
Goals1:36
Caps2:101
Goals2:29
Caps3:59
Goals3:26
Caps4:94
Goals4:12
Caps5:4
Goals5:0
Caps6:9
Goals6:5
Caps7:33
Goals7:2
Caps8:19
Goals8:4
Totalcaps:401
Totalgoals:162
Nationalyears1:2006
Nationalteam1:Scotland B
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Manageryears1:2012–2014
Managerclubs1:Dunfermline Athletic (U20)

Craig Peter Dargo (born 3 January 1978) is a Scottish former professional football player and coach. Dargo played for Raith Rovers, Kilmarnock, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, St Mirren, Partick Thistle, Dumbarton, Dunfermline Athletic and Berwick Rangers.

Career

Early career

Dargo began his career with Kirkcaldy side Raith Rovers. He scored 29 goals in 82 league games before moving to Kilmarnock on a free transfer in June 2000.[1] He remained at Rugby Park for the next five years. During this time he made his first appearance in European competition, scoring as Kilmarnock were eliminated by Norwegian side Viking in the UEFA Cup.[2] His time at Kilmarnock was dogged by injuries, and he was released in May 2005[3] after over 100 games for Killie.

Inverness

In June 2005, Dargo joined Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a two-year deal,[4] scoring his first goal during a draw against Rangers at Ibrox Stadium. In February 2006, Dargo began negotiations on a new contract,[5] with former Inverness manager Craig Brewster, now managing Ross County, subsequently linked with signing the player.[6] The speculation passed and Dargo made an appearance for the Scotland Future side in March 2006, going on to score 19 goals in 38 games that season.

In April 2007, weeks before the end of his contract, Inverness confirmed "a few English clubs" had expressed interest in signing Dargo.[7] A "last go" in mid May[8]  – a record deal for the club[9]  – failed to keep him at the club, with Dargo announcing in June that he would leave Inverness.[10]

St Mirren

On 28 June 2007, Dargo signed for St Mirren.[11] Dargo aggravated his recurring knee injury which kept him out for several weeks, making debut against former club Kilmarnock on 22 December 2007. Dargo scored his first goal for the club against Gretna to officially relegate them on 29 March 2008.

Later playing career

On 17 November 2011, Dargo signed a short-term contract with Partick Thistle ending in January 2012. On 8 March 2012, Dargo signed a short-term contract with Dumbarton until the end of the season[12] scoring seven goals in 12 games, including a hat-trick against Brechin City and a brace as the Sons won promotion of the Scottish First Division.[13] He became a player/coach at Dunfermline Athletic in 2012, working alongside John Potter.[14] Dargo signed for Berwick Rangers on 19 August 2014.[15] He scored his first and only goals for Berwick when he scored twice in a 3-2 Scottish Cup win against East Fife.[16]

Statistics

Club Season League Cup Lg Cup Other Other
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Raith Rovers1995–963100000031
1996–975000000050
1997–98278200000298
1998–99228100000238
1999–200025121111212915
Total 82 29 4 1 1 1 2 1 89 32
Kilmarnock2000–01257203200309
2001–02296101021337
2002–03151100000161
2003–04123000000123
2004–05202002000222
Total 101 19 4 0 6 2 2 1 113 22
Inverness CT2005–0632164221003819
2006–0727101210002912
Total 59 26 5 4 3 1 0 0 67 31
St Mirren2007–08161500000211
2008–09273201100304
2009–10292304000292
2010–11323521000385
Total 104 9 15 2 6 1 0 0 125 12
Partick Thistle2011–124010000050
Dumbarton95000032127
Dunfermline2012–13261201040331
Berwick2014–151000001020
Career total 386 89 31 7 175 9 2 446 105

Notes and References

  1. News: SUMMER SIGNINGS. 12 August 2000. BBC Sport. 5 May 2009.
  2. News: Killie held by Viking. 20 September 2001. BBC Sport. 5 May 2009.
  3. News: Kilmarnock set striker Dargo free . 6 May 2005. BBC Sport. 5 May 2009.
  4. News: Striker Dargo moves to Inverness . 13 June 2005. BBC Sport. 5 May 2009.
  5. News: Inverness offer Dargo new terms . 22 February 2006. BBC Sport. 5 May 2009.
  6. News: Inverness angry with speculation . 8 March 2006. BBC Sport. 5 May 2009.
  7. News: English clubs chase striker Dargo . 3 April 2007. BBC Sport. 5 May 2009.
  8. News: Inverness aim for Dargo decision . 14 May 2007. BBC Sport. 5 May 2009.
  9. News: Christie offers Dargo record deal. 19 May 2007. BBC Sport. 5 May 2009.
  10. News: Dargo turns down Inverness offer . 13 June 2007. BBC Sport. 5 May 2009.
  11. News: St Mirren sign up striker Dargo. BBC Sport. 28 June 2007.
  12. News: Squad Addition . Dumbarton F.C. . 2 November 2022 .
  13. Web site: Dargo contemplates future SPFL . 2023-12-08 . spfl.co.uk.
  14. Web site: Dargo delighted with double Dunfermline role. Scottish Professional Football League. 9 November 2012. 19 August 2014.
  15. Web site: Dargo makes Berwick move. Scottish Professional Football League. 19 August 2014. 19 August 2014.
  16. Web site: East Fife 2-3 Berwick. Sky Sports. 1 November 2014 . 5 June 2019.