Gary Muir Explained

Gary Muir
Birth Date:1985 12, df=y
Birth Place:Glasgow, Scotland
Position:Midfielder, full Back
Currentclub:St Cadoc's Y.C.
Youthclubs1:Partick Thistle
Youthclubs2:Greenock Morton
Youthyears3:2005–2006
Youthclubs3:Louisburg College
Youthyears4:2007–2008
Youthclubs4:University of Hartford
Years1:2008
Clubs1:Stirling Albion
Caps1:17
Goals1:0
Years2:2008–2009
Clubs2:Lisburn Distillery
Caps2:38
Goals2:13
Years3:2009
Clubs3:Clyde
Caps3:19
Goals3:1
Years4:2010
Clubs4:Ballymena
Caps4:17
Goals4:2
Years5:2010–2011
Clubs5:Airdrie United
Caps5:22
Goals5:2
Years6:2011–2012
Clubs6:Antigua
Caps6:25
Goals6:5
Years7:2012–2013
Clubs7:Vittoriosa Stars
Caps7:39
Goals7:14
Years8:2013–2015
Clubs8:Floriana
Caps8:54
Goals8:12
Years9:2015–2016
Clubs9:Sliema Wanderers
Caps9:50
Goals9:1
Years10:2017
Clubs10:Birkirkara
Caps10:3
Goals10:0
Years11:2017–2018
Clubs11:Gżira United
Caps11:20
Goals11:1
Years12:2018–2019
Clubs12:Glenavon
Caps12:10
Goals12:1

Gary Muir (born 15 December 1985) is a Scottish professional footballer, who is currently a player for St Cadoc's Y.C.

United States

After playing in Scotland during his teenage years, Muir moved to the United States to develop his playing career and was uniquely awarded a 100% scholarship fund. A successful four years in the USA began as Captain of the Louisburg College Hurricanes for two seasons in North Carolina, leading to Captaincy at the University of Hartford in Connecticut.

In 2005, he was awarded All-American status in the NJCAA, named in the Division I All-Region team, and also selected for the Mid-Atlantic district team. Muir took the Hurricanes to the semi-finals in the NJCAA Championships and received the Regional Player of the Year Award, as well as being named the Most Valuable Player of the season.

In 2006, Muir signed for the University of Hartford by Ex-Portugal, Benfica and Porto coach Dan Gaspar at the US National College Championships.[1] 2006 saw Muir playing in all 17 games, scoring three goals and assisting on six occasions. He was also named Most Valuable Player at the Hartwick College Invitational.[2]

Professional career

Muir originally was invited back to Scotland to sign for Livingston in the Scottish championship in 2007, however, the sale of the club prevented the deal moving forward and Muir featured for Stirling Albion in the Scottish First Division (championship) for the remainder of the 2007–08 season.[3]

Signing for Irish Premiership side Lisburn Distillery in 2008 proved to be an important move in Muir's career after being offered deals from a variety of clubs in the Scottish first and second divisions.[4] [5] starting every game, scoring 13 goals, assisting on 15 occasions and was awarded 11 Man of the Match awards. He also scored his first senior football hat-trick at the club. Distillery finished fourth in the IPL, qualifying for the preliminary qualification rounds of the UEFA Europa League. A foot fracture sidelined him for four months. After recovering Muir returned to Scotland with Clyde in September 2009, however, this was only to be short term before heading back across the water to play at Ballymena United for the remainder or the 2009–10 season where they reached the Irish cup final.[6]

In 2010 Muir signed for Airdrie United in the Scottish First Division and at the end of the season was approached and offered a deal to play in Central America at Antigua GFC. During another season of multiple goals and assists Muir scored a memorable second career hat-trick.

Muir signed for Vittoriosa Stars in Malta.[7] Making a huge impact bringing the club from 11th position in the league table up to 5th – 11 undefeated games, scoring five goals and providing seven assists.

In the 2012–13 season, Muir played an influential role at Again winning promotion to the Premier Division, scoring nine goals and assisting on 15 occasions.

2013–14 saw Muir move to the most successful club in Maltese history, Floriana, after agreeing a deal. During the 2013–14 campaign he only missed one game during the entire season, he achieved 10 goals and 10 assists and was a significant performer during the club's AME Cup triumph. Muir was resigned under new head coach Giovanni Tedesco . Having spent two successful seasons as club captain scoring 12 times and assisting in 18 goals, Muir transferred to old firm rivals Sliema Wanderers.

Muir's move in season 2015–16 turned out to be a major success turning out for the stripes 35 times, the most appearances of any of the playing squad. He scored one goal and assisted in 11 from the fullback's positions. He won the prestigious FA trophy, the club's 21st time, qualifying for the UEFA Europa league qualifying rounds. Muir's achievements ended high as he was a nominee by the MFPA season 2015–16 for the league's best left full back award.Muirs performances and success on the pitch led to a transfer to Birkirkara where he signed for the club until the end of season 2018/19.Success through the years in the premier league seen him help clubs qualify for the UEFA Europe league on numerous occasions. Winning the Malta summer cup on two occasions and the prestigious Malta FA trophy. Muir was also part of the squad which played in the super cup final.

On 26 June 2018, it was announced that Muir had signed for Glenavon. He played in the club's most successful win against coach Ole Gunnar Solskjær and his Molde FK side in their UEFA Europa league home tie.[8] After a small number of appearances Muir left the club by mutual consent in January 2019.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Great Scot: The Long Journey of Gary Muir. Cedric Quackenbush, Hartford Hawks' Official Website. 6 October 2008. 29 June 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160629141152/http://media.www.hartfordinformer.com/media/storage/paper146/news/2007/10/04/Sports/Great.Scot.The.Long.Journey.Of.Gary.Muir-3016007-page2.shtml. dead.
  2. Web site: Gary Muir; Player Profile. Hartford Sports Information, Hartford Hawks' Official .Website. 6 October 2008.
  3. Web site: Latest News, 29th March 2008 . Scott McLean, Stirling Albion's Official Website . 29 March 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20100203163308/http://www.stirlingalbionfc.co.uk/LatestNews.htm . 3 February 2010 .
  4. News: Lis Distillery 1–1 Cliftonville. 10 May 2012. BBC Sport. 14 April 2009.
  5. News: Crusaders 1–1 Lisburn Distillery. 10 May 2012. BBC. 11 April 2009.
  6. Web site: Muir Makes Bully Wee Switch. Cylde FC. 10 May 2012. 25 September 2009.
  7. News: Dingli in serious trouble. 10 May 2012. Times of Malta. 6 May 2012.
  8. News: Europa League: Glenavon 2-1 Molde. 2018-07-11. 2019-05-28.
  9. Web site: Glenavon: Paul Millar rejects fears over time concerns ahead of Glentoran test . 18 February 2019 . Belfast Newsletter . 10 May 2019.