Wikipedia

Rob Kiernan

Robert Samuel Kiernan(born 13 January 1991) is a former professionalfootballerwho played as adefender.Born in England, he represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level.

Rob Kiernan
Personal information
Full name Robert Samuel Kiernan[1]
Date of birth (1991-01-13)13 January 1991(age 33)[1]
Place of birth Rickmansworth,England
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)[1]
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
2000–2008 Watford
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2008–2011 Watford 2 (0)
2010 →Kilmarnock(loan) 4 (0)
2010 →Yeovil Town(loan) 3 (0)
2010–2011 →Bradford City(loan) 8 (0)
2011 →Wycombe Wanderers(loan) 2 (0)
2011–2015 Wigan Athletic 29 (1)
2012 →Accrington Stanley(loan) 3 (0)
2012 →Burton Albion(loan) 6 (0)
2012–2013 →Brentford(loan) 8 (0)
2013 →Southend United(loan) 12 (0)
2015 →Birmingham City(loan) 12 (1)
2015–2017 Rangers 57 (1)
2017–2020 Southend United 30 (2)
2020–2022 Orange County SC 44 (2)
International career
2008 Republic of Ireland U18 3 (1)
2009–2010 Republic of Ireland U19 6 (0)
2010–2013 Republic of Ireland U21 14 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Kiernan has previously played forWatford,Wigan AthleticandRangers,and has also spent time on loan atKilmarnock,Yeovil Town,Bradford City,Wycombe Wanderers,[2]Accrington Stanley,Burton Albion,Brentford,Southend UnitedandBirmingham City.He ended his career with American clubOrange County SC.Kiernan, who was born inHertfordshire,played for the Republic of Ireland at youth levels up to and includingunder-21.

Club career

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Watford

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Kiernan was born inRickmansworth,Hertfordshire,[3]and began his football career as a youngster withWatford.Watford sent two youth squads to theMilk Cupin Northern Ireland in the summer of 2008. Kiernan was moved from his natural position of central midfielder to play centre-half, to take advantage of his height and physical presence,[4]and also captained the side.[5]His performances drew praise from his then coachMark Warburton.[6]

Later that summer, Kiernan was called up by theIreland under-19 teamfor a four-nation tournament, but he had to withdraw after tearing his right thigh muscle.[4]

Kiernan captained Watford's under-18 side in2008–09,[4]in which they reached the quarter-finals of theFA Youth Cup.[7]In October 2008, he, together with fellow second-year scholarsBilly GibsonandRoss Jenkins,signed "developmental contracts" – professional contracts signed earlier than usual, allowing the players to continue their scholarships without the pressure of worrying about the future –to run until the end of the2009–10 season.[8]

WhenBrendan Rodgerswas appointed Watford manager in November 2008, Kiernan began to take part in some first-team training sessions.[9]He was included in the senior matchday squad for the first time on 24 January 2009 for anFA Cupfourth-round tie againstCrystal PalaceatVicarage Road,and made his debut as a 90th-minute substitute, replacingGavin Hoyte,as Watford won 4–3.[10]Although he made no more first-team appearances that season, he finish with 17 starts for the Academy side and 9 for the reserves.[11][12]

Loans

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After a trial in January 2010, Kiernan joinedScottish Premier LeaguesideKilmarnockon loan; managerJimmy Calderwoodwanted him as cover with two defensive players injured.[13]He joined Kilmarnock on the same day as Watford teammateScott Severin,and was given the number 29 shirt.[14]Kiernan made his debut the next day as a 73rd-minute substitute in a 1–0 league win againstCeltic.[15]Kiernan played three matches forYeovil Townat the start of the 2010–11 season,[16]and on 12 November joinedBradford Cityon a two-month loan.[17]ConferencesideHistonhad previously attempted to sign Kiernan on loan.[18]

Wigan Athletic

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At the end of the 2010–11 season, Kiernan rejected Watford's offer of a new two-year contract; the "slightly reduced" terms offered entitled him to leave the club without compensation becoming payable by his next employer.[19]He signed forPremier LeagueclubWigan Athletic,[20]In March 2012, having failed to feature in Wigan's first team, Kiernan joined League TwoAccrington Stanleyon loan for the remainder of the season,[21]but ankle ligament damage cut the loan spell to just three matches.[22]He returned to match fitness with the help of a month's loan atBurton Albion,also of League Two, in the early part of the following season,[23]and in November moved on to League OneBrentfordon loan until January 2013.[24] He then renewed his loan deal on 11 January 2013. On 12 October 2013, Kiernan joinedLeague TwosideSouthend Unitedon a three-month loan deal,[25]however, he was recalled on 29 December, as cover afterThomas Rognewas injured onBo xing Day.[26]Kiernan made a strong end to the2013–14 season,scoring his first goal for the club againstLeicester City[27]and featuring in the play-off semi-final defeat byQueens Park Rangers,and signed a three-year contract extension in May 2014.[28]

However, after struggling to feature the following season, Kiernan joined then Championship clubBirmingham Cityin February 2015 on loan until the end of the 2014–15 season.[29]He made his debut on 21 February atBrighton & Hove Albion,starting the match in central midfield in place of the injuredDavid Davis,and played 78 minutes of the 4–3 defeat.[30]He went on to form a partnership at centre-half withJonathan Spector,[31]and then played alongsideMichael Morrisonafter the latter's return from injury. Kiernan was credited with his first goal for the club on 11 April againstWolverhampton Wanderers;he scored from close range afterJonathan Grounds' shot had already crossed the line unnoticed by the officials and been pushed back into play.[32]A hamstring injury meant he missed the last two matches of the season.[33]

Rangers

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On 22 June 2015, Kiernan signed a two-year deal at Rangers[34]with the transfer fee reported to be £200,000.[35]Over the course of the subsequent season, he played in central defence alongsideDanny Wilson.[36][37]The pair, however, received criticism for some of their performances,[36][37]notably in the team's 3–2 loss toHibernianin the2016 Scottish Cup Final.[38]On 19 July 2016, Kiernan extended his contract with Rangers for another year, until 2018.[39]Kiernan scored his first goal for Rangers and only his third goal of his professional career on 10 December 2016, heading aJames Tavernierfree-kick to net the first of two goals as Rangers won 2–0.[40]On 27 December 2016, he was linked with a £2m move toFulham[41]and the following day, during Rangers' 1–1 draw withSt Johnstone,Kiernan appeared to strike Saints captainSteven Anderson.[42]For this, Kiernan was offered a two-match suspension for violent conduct by theScottish Football Association,however he chose to contest the charge and it was ultimately dismissed by disciplinary tribunal on 12 January.[43]

Return to Southend United

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Kiernan returned to English football in 2017, signing a three-year contract with League One club Southend United on 3 August for an undisclosed fee.[44]Kiernan was released by Southend on 31 January 2020.[45]

Orange County SC

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On 7 February 2020, Kiernan joined USA clubOrange County SC.He made 47 appearances and scored two goals before retiring from football in April 2023,[46]due to a hip injury.[47]

International career

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Kiernan has captained theRepublic of Ireland national football teamat age-group levels.[48][49]He qualified to play for Ireland as his father was born in County Wexford.[50]

Career statistics

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As of match played 29 November 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] League Cup[b] Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Watford 2008–09[51] Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
2009–10[52] Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2010–11[16] Championship 0 0 1 0 0 0 — 1 0
Total 0 0 2 0 0 0 — 2 0
Kilmarnock(loan) 2009–10[52] Scottish Premier League 4 0 1 0 — — 5 0
Yeovil Town(loan) 2010–11[16] League One 3 0 — 0 0 — 3 0
Bradford City(loan) 2010–11[16] League Two 8 0 — — — 8 0
Wycombe Wanderers(loan) 2010–11[16] League Two 2 0 — — — 2 0
Wigan Athletic 2011–12[53] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2012–13[54] Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
2013–14[55] Championship 12 1 — 0 0 2[c] 0 14 1
2014–15[56] Championship 17 0 1 0 0 0 — 18 0
Total 29 1 1 0 0 0 2 0 32 1
Accrington Stanley(loan) 2011–12[53] League Two 3 0 — — — 3 0
Burton Albion(loan) 2012–13[54] League Two 6 0 — — — 6 0
Brentford(loan) 2012–13[54] League One 8 0 0 0 — 1[d] 0 9 0
Southend United(loan) 2013–14[55] League Two 12 0 2 0 — — 14 0
Birmingham City(loan) 2014–15[56] Championship 12 1 — — — 12 1
Rangers 2015–16[57] Scottish Championship 33 0 5 0 3 0 4[e] 0 45 0
2016–17[58] Scottish Premiership 24 1 2 0 5 0 — 31 1
Total 57 1 7 0 8 0 4 0 76 1
Southend United 2017–18[59] League One 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0
2018–19[60] League One 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 1
2019–20[61] League One 19 1 1 0 0 0 3[f] 0 23 1
Total 30 2 1 0 1 0 3 0 35 2
Orange County SC 2020[46] USL Championship 15 0 0 0 — — 15 0
2021[46] USL Championship 28 2 0 0 — 3[g] 0 31 2
2022[46] USL Championship 1 0 0 0 — — 1 0
Total 44 2 0 0 — 3 0 47 2
Career total 218 7 14 0 9 0 13 0 254 7
  1. ^IncludesFA Cup,Scottish Cup
  2. ^IncludesEFL Cup,Scottish League Cup
  3. ^Appearances inChampionship play-offs
  4. ^Appearance inFootball League Trophy
  5. ^Appearances inScottish Challenge Cup
  6. ^Appearances inEFL Trophy
  7. ^Appearances inUSL Championship Playoffs

Honours

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Rangers
Orange County SC

References

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  1. ^abcHugman, Barry J., ed. (2009).The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10.Mainstream Publishing.ISBN978-1-84596-474-0.
  2. ^"Watford's Kiernan joins Wycombe, Townsend leaves".BBC Sport. 23 February 2011.Retrieved24 February2011.
  3. ^Rollin, Glenda & Rollin, Jack, eds. (2010).Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011.London: Headline. p. 540.ISBN978-0-7553-6107-6.
  4. ^abc"Burden lifted from Kiernan's shoulders".Watfordfc.Watford Football Club. 24 October 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 8 January 2009.
  5. ^"Milk Cup 2008 day two".Watfordfc.Watford Football Club. 30 July 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 19 July 2011.
  6. ^"Milk Cup 2008 day five".Watfordfc.Watford Football Club. 3 August 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 16 February 2012.
  7. ^"Birmingham Yth 1 Watford Yth 0".Watfordfc.Watford Football Club. 18 March 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 16 February 2012.
  8. ^"Trio commit their futures".Watfordfc.Watford Football Club. 4 October 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 16 February 2012.
  9. ^"Youth Cup preview".Watfordfc.Watford Football Club. 1 December 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 16 February 2012.
  10. ^"Watford vs Crystal Palace".Watfordfc.Watford Football Club. 24 January 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 16 February 2012.
  11. ^"Academy stat pack 2008/09".Watfordfc.Watford Football Club. 10 July 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 27 March 2012.
  12. ^"Reserve season 2008/09 – the full stat pack".Watfordfc.Watford Football Club. 30 October 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 27 March 2012.
  13. ^"Killie poised to land Kiernan".Sky Sports. 29 January 2010.Retrieved12 February2015.
  14. ^"Killie sign Scott Severin, Chris Maguire, Rob Kiernan".BBC Sport.BBC. 1 February 2010.
  15. ^Conaghan, Martin (2 February 2010)."Kilmarnock 1–0 Celtic".BBC Sport.BBC.Retrieved12 February2015.
  16. ^abcde"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2010/2011".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved12 February2015.
  17. ^"Bradford City sign Kiernan & Eckersley on loan".BBC Sport.BBC. 12 November 2010.Retrieved12 February2015.
  18. ^Beyeler, Marc (15 November 2010)."We lacked quality in key areas – Livermore".Cambridge News.Cambridge: Local World. Archived fromthe originalon 13 September 2012.
  19. ^"Rob Kiernan leaves Watford after rejecting deal".BBC Sport. 28 June 2011.Retrieved13 February2015.
  20. ^Smith, Frank (28 July 2011)."Premier League Wigan Athletic set to sign released Watford defender Rob Kiernan".Watford Observer.Retrieved13 February2015.
    "White chooses green in accepting King's invitation".The Irish Times.4 August 2011. Archived fromthe originalon 8 August 2011.
  21. ^"Accrington Stanley sign Wigan defender Rob Kiernan".BBC Sport.BBC. 16 March 2012.
  22. ^Flanagan, Chris (30 March 2012)."Accrington Stanley defender out for season".Lancashire Telegraph.Retrieved13 February2015.
  23. ^"Brewers swoop for loan pair".Sky Sports. 28 September 2012.Retrieved13 February2015.
  24. ^"Bees sign Premier League defender".Brentford F.C. 15 November 2012.Retrieved15 November2012.
  25. ^"Southend United sign Wigan Athletic defender Rob Kiernan".BBC.BBC Sport. 12 October 2013.Retrieved14 October2013.
  26. ^"Wigan Athletic recall Rob Kiernan from Southend loan spell".BBC.BBC Sport. 29 December 2013.Retrieved29 December2013.
  27. ^"Wigan 2–2 Leicester".BBC Sport.BBC. 1 April 2014.Retrieved23 August2016.
  28. ^"Rob Kiernan: Wigan Athletic defender signs new contract".BBC.BBC Sport. 20 May 2014.
  29. ^"Rob Kiernan: Birmingham sign Wigan Athletic defender on loan".BBC Sport.BBC. 12 February 2015.Retrieved12 February2015.
  30. ^Dick, Brian (21 February 2015)."Updated: Brighton 4 Birmingham City 3".Birmingham Mail.Retrieved21 February2015.
  31. ^Tattum, Colin (25 March 2015)."Michael Morrison raring to go".bcfc.Birmingham City Football Club.Retrieved12 March2015.
  32. ^Rae, Richard (11 April 2015)."Birmingham's Demarai Gray's stunning winner dents Wolves playoff hopes".The Guardian.London.Retrieved12 April2015.
  33. ^Dick, Brian (1 May 2015)."Find out who's available to Gary Rowett – and who isn't".Birmingham Mail.Birmingham: Trinity Mirror.Retrieved2 May2015.
  34. ^"Rangers: Rob Kiernan and Danny Wilson sign for Ibrox club".BBC Sport. 22 June 2015.Retrieved22 June2015.
  35. ^Dick, Brian (23 June 2015)."Former Birmingham City loanee Rob Kiernan completes move to Rangers".Birmingham Mail.Trinity Mirror.
  36. ^abJack, Christopher (30 September 2015)."Danny Wilson and Rob Kiernan get Rangers pass marks so far, but they will get even better with time says Ibrox legend Brown".The Herald.Glasgow: Herald & Times Group.Retrieved20 June2016.
  37. ^ab"Derek Johnstone: Rangers defensive woes were not a surprise against Saints".Evening Times.Glasgow: Herald & Times Group. 24 September 2015.Retrieved20 June2016.
  38. ^Verrall, John (22 May 2016)."Glasgow Rangers fans react on Twitter to Rob Kiernan's performance in the Scottish Cup final".HITC.Retrieved20 June2016.
  39. ^"Rangers: Wes Foderingham and Rob Kiernan extend contracts".BBC Sport.19 July 2016.Retrieved24 August2020.
  40. ^"Rangers 2–0 Heart of Midlothian".BBC Sport.BBC. 10 December 2016.
  41. ^Gannon, Michael (28 December 2016)."Fulham eye £2million Kiernan bid".Daily Record.Glasgow.Retrieved24 August2020– via PressReader.
  42. ^Wilson, Richard (28 December 2016)."St Johnstone 1–1 Rangers".BBC Sport.BBC.
  43. ^"Rob Kiernan: Violent conduct charge against Rangers defender dismissed".BBC Sport.BBC. 12 January 2017.
  44. ^"Rob Kiernan: Rangers defender moves to Southend United on three-year deal".BBC Sport.BBC. 3 August 2017.Retrieved3 August2017.
  45. ^"Southend United confirm Rob Kiernan's departure/".Basildon Canvey Southend Echo. 31 January 2020.Retrieved4 March2020.
  46. ^abcd"R. Kiernan: Summary".Soccerway.Perform Group.Retrieved5 March2022.
  47. ^"Ex-Rangers defender Rob Kiernan forced to retire aged just 32".Glasgow Times.10 April 2023.Retrieved3 July2023.
  48. ^Smith, Frank (28 January 2010)."Republic of Ireland Under-19 captain Rob Kiernan on trial in Scotland with Kilmarnock".Watford Observer.Retrieved12 February2015.
  49. ^"Statistics: Under18 [Powered by tplSoccerStats]".soccerscene.ie.Retrieved11 April2016.
  50. ^"The former Ireland U21 captain who helped Rangers return to the Scottish Premiership".14 March 2021.
  51. ^"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2008/2009".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved12 February2015.
  52. ^ab"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2009/2010".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved12 February2015.
  53. ^ab"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2011/2012".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved12 February2015.
  54. ^abc"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2012/2013".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved12 February2015.
  55. ^ab"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2013/2014".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved12 February2015.
  56. ^ab"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2014/2015".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved2 May2015.
  57. ^"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2015/2016".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved3 August2017.
  58. ^"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2016/2017".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved3 August2017.
  59. ^"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2017/2018".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved3 August2017.
  60. ^"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2018/2019".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved5 March2022.
  61. ^"Games played by Rob Kiernan in 2019/2020".Soccerbase.Centurycomm.Retrieved5 March2022.
  62. ^Burke, Andy (5 April 2016)."Rangers 1–0 Dumbarton".BBC Sport.BBC.Retrieved5 April2016.
  63. ^English, Tom (10 April 2016)."Rangers 4–0 Peterhead".BBC Sport.BBC.Retrieved10 April2016.
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