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[[Hibernian F.C.|Hibs]] attempted to sign him but he asked for time to think the deal over. After Hibs refused he signed for Hearts along with school friend and fellow future internationalist [[David Bowman (footballer born 1964)|Dave Bowman]]. Robertson eventually earned the moniker "The Hammer of Hibs" as he scored a record 27 goals in [[Edinburgh derby]] matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/rivalries/newsid=1328994/index.html |title=Heart of Midlothian VS Hibernian |work=www.fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |date= |accessdate=27 July 2014}}</ref>
[[Hibernian F.C.|Hibs]] attempted to sign him but he asked for time to think the deal over. After Hibs refused he signed for Hearts along with school friend and fellow future internationalist [[David Bowman (footballer born 1964)|Dave Bowman]]. Robertson eventually earned the moniker "The Hammer of Hibs" as he scored a record 27 goals in [[Edinburgh derby]] matches.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/classicfootball/clubs/rivalries/newsid=1328994/index.html |title=Heart of Midlothian VS Hibernian |work=www.fifa.com |publisher=FIFA |date= |accessdate=27 July 2014}}</ref>


Robertson was an instant success at Hearts his prolific goal scoring record. The 1985–86 season was their best since 1965. The league campaign started poorly losing five of the first eight games. From there the club went on a 27-game unbeaten league run hitting league top spot on 21 December after a 1–0 win at St Mirren. Robertson top scoring was a vital part of the run. Hearts needed a draw from the last game of the season away to [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]] on 3 May 1986 to win the Scottish league title. Before that final game they were two points ahead of Celtic and with a superior goal difference of four goals. However this strong statistical position was undermined in the run up to the game when several players in the Hearts squad were hit by a viral infection. [[Craig Levein]] failed to recover to make the game in Dundee.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/hearts/5363880/What-a-heartbreaker-How-Hearts-lost-the-Scottish-title-to-Celtic-in-1986.html How Hearts lost the Scottish title to Celtic in 1986 ]</ref><ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZFezYotlVk#t=380.218895</ref>
Robertson was an instant success at Hearts, becoming a legend in the first few seasons with his prolific goal scoring record. In 1986 Robertson took Hearts to the brink of a league and cup [[Double (association football)|double]] by scoring goal after goal as the club went on an unbeaten run through that season. The league title was snatched from Hearts by [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] on the last day of the season. He left Hearts briefly to play for [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]] in April 1988. Robertson failed to match the success he had enjoyed at Tynecastle and returned to Hearts in December of that year.

Celtic were 4–0 up away at St Mirren at half time in their final fixture. Thus the under-performing players in the Hearts dressing room at half time would have had the sobering news they would likely have to deliver a result at [[Dens Park]]. Substitute [[Albert Kidd]] forced Hearts to concede a corner kick with seven minutes remaining. The in-swinging corner was touched on and fell to Kidd who put Dundee ahead. This was the first goal Hearts had conceded from a corner all season. Hearts now needed an equaliser to win the title. However Kidd went on a run with the ball from the halfway line down the right wing beating two Hearts players. After then playing a one-two with a teammate on the edge of the Hearts box he finished emphatically to score a second with four minutes left. Dundee won 2–0.<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCjEsN4E85s Dundee 2 – 0 Hearts on youtube]</ref> This combined with Celtic winning 5–0 against St Mirren meant the top two clubs finished the season on the same number of points. Hearts lost out to Celtic by a goal difference of three. Had goal difference been the rule in 1965 Hearts would have been champions; had goal average still applied in 1986, they would have won the league. Hearts lobbying after the league loss in 1965 cost them dear in 1986.

Hearts had been chasing a League and Scottish Cup double. After eliminating Rangers and [[Jim McLean]]'s Dundee United they faced [[Alex Ferguson]]'s Aberdeen in the final. After Hearts being emotionally shattered at Dens Park the week before, Aberdeen won easily 3–0 meaning Hearts finished runners up as they had in the league.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/football/that-1980s-sports-blog/2015/may/01/albert-kidd-day-hearts-dundee-hibs-celtic-1986 How Albert Kidd became a Hibs and Celtic legend without playing for them]</ref>


Robertson achieved his greatest success at Hearts, where he spent the vast majority of his playing career. Robertson's loyalty to Hearts was finally rewarded in 1998 when Hearts won the [[Scottish Cup]] and he received a winner's medal, albeit as an unused substitute. After an earlier loan spell with [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]], he left Tynecastle that summer, joining Livingston as a player-coach.
Robertson achieved his greatest success at Hearts, where he spent the vast majority of his playing career. Robertson's loyalty to Hearts was finally rewarded in 1998 when Hearts won the [[Scottish Cup]] and he received a winner's medal, albeit as an unused substitute. After an earlier loan spell with [[Dundee F.C.|Dundee]], he left Tynecastle that summer, joining Livingston as a player-coach.

Revision as of 15:57, 23 September 2017

For other people with the same name, see John Robertson.

John Robertson
Personal information
Full name John Grant Robertson[1]
Date of birth (1964-10-02) 2 October 1964 (age 60)
Place of birth Edinburgh, Scotland
Height 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
Position(s) Striker
Team information
Current team
 Inverness Caledonian Thistle (manager)
Youth career
Salvesen Boys Club
Edina Hibs
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1981–1988 Heart of Midlothian 202 (106)
1988 Newcastle United 12 (0)
1988–1998 Heart of Midlothian 310 (108)
1998 → Dundee (loan) 4 (1)
1998–2000 Livingston 41 (14)
International career
1990–1995 Scotland 16 (3)
Managerial career
2002–2004 Inverness Caledonian Thistle
2004–2005 Heart of Midlothian
2005 Ross County
2006–2007 Livingston
2007 Derry City
2010–2012 East Fife
2017– Inverness Caledonian Thistle
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

John Grant Robertson (born 2 October 1964) is a Scottish professional football player and coach, currently in his second spell of managing Inverness Caledonian Thistle. His playing career included spells at Newcastle United, Dundee and Livingston, but he is best known for his two spells at Heart of Midlothian, where he is the club's all-time leading goalscorer. He has since managed Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Heart of Midlothian, Derry City and East Fife.

Playing career

Hibs attempted to sign him but he asked for time to think the deal over. After Hibs refused he signed for Hearts along with school friend and fellow future internationalist Dave Bowman. Robertson eventually earned the moniker "The Hammer of Hibs" as he scored a record 27 goals in Edinburgh derby matches.[2]

Robertson was an instant success at Hearts his prolific goal scoring record. The 1985–86 season was their best since 1965. The league campaign started poorly losing five of the first eight games. From there the club went on a 27-game unbeaten league run hitting league top spot on 21 December after a 1–0 win at St Mirren. Robertson top scoring was a vital part of the run. Hearts needed a draw from the last game of the season away to Dundee on 3 May 1986 to win the Scottish league title. Before that final game they were two points ahead of Celtic and with a superior goal difference of four goals. However this strong statistical position was undermined in the run up to the game when several players in the Hearts squad were hit by a viral infection. Craig Levein failed to recover to make the game in Dundee.[3][4]

Celtic were 4–0 up away at St Mirren at half time in their final fixture. Thus the under-performing players in the Hearts dressing room at half time would have had the sobering news they would likely have to deliver a result at Dens Park. Substitute Albert Kidd forced Hearts to concede a corner kick with seven minutes remaining. The in-swinging corner was touched on and fell to Kidd who put Dundee ahead. This was the first goal Hearts had conceded from a corner all season. Hearts now needed an equaliser to win the title. However Kidd went on a run with the ball from the halfway line down the right wing beating two Hearts players. After then playing a one-two with a teammate on the edge of the Hearts box he finished emphatically to score a second with four minutes left. Dundee won 2–0.[5] This combined with Celtic winning 5–0 against St Mirren meant the top two clubs finished the season on the same number of points. Hearts lost out to Celtic by a goal difference of three. Had goal difference been the rule in 1965 Hearts would have been champions; had goal average still applied in 1986, they would have won the league. Hearts lobbying after the league loss in 1965 cost them dear in 1986.

Hearts had been chasing a League and Scottish Cup double. After eliminating Rangers and Jim McLean's Dundee United they faced Alex Ferguson's Aberdeen in the final. After Hearts being emotionally shattered at Dens Park the week before, Aberdeen won easily 3–0 meaning Hearts finished runners up as they had in the league.[6]

Robertson achieved his greatest success at Hearts, where he spent the vast majority of his playing career. Robertson's loyalty to Hearts was finally rewarded in 1998 when Hearts won the Scottish Cup and he received a winner's medal, albeit as an unused substitute. After an earlier loan spell with Dundee, he left Tynecastle that summer, joining Livingston as a player-coach.

Robertson was also a Scottish international, playing on 16 occasions for Scotland. He made his debut against Romania in 1990, scoring in a 2–1 win. He trained with the national team before UEFA Euro 1992, but had to withdraw from the final squad due to injury.[7] Robertson scored three goals in 16 international appearances during his career.[7]

Managerial career

Whilst playing for Livingston, Robertson became involved the coaching side of the game.[8] He left the club in season 2002–03 to become manager of Inverness Caledonian Thistle where he guided the Highland team to the SPL for the first time in their history. In November 2004 he returned to Hearts as head coach and despite two cup semi-finals and a good season in Europe as well as finishing fifth in the league, he was sacked in May 2005.

He was appointed manager of Scottish First Division team Ross County in June 2005, but left by mutual consent after four months.[8] Robertson was appointed manager of Livingston in February 2006,[8] then sacked in April 2007 after finishing sixth in the First Division.

He was appointed by League of Ireland side Derry City in July 2007. He took club out of the relegation battle to a safe mid table position and also won the FAI League Cup and qualified for the Setanta Cup before being dismissed by the new chairman and board of directors at Derry, and replaced by former Derry boss Stephen Kenny.[9]

In 2009, Robertson coached strikers at Scottish Premier League clubs Dundee United and Kilmarnock. In March 2010, Robertson helped coach the strikers at Hearts on a non-contract basis.

Robertson was appointed manager of East Fife in October 2010. In September 2011, his East Fife side knocked SPL club Aberdeen out of the Scottish League Cup at Pittodrie Stadium.

On 1 March 2012 it was announced that Robertson had left as manager of East Fife[10]

In June 2017, Robertson returned to Inverness Caledonian Thistle as manager.[11][12]

Career statistics

Club performance League Cup League Cup Continental Total
Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Scotland League Scottish Cup League Cup Europe Total
1981–82 Heart of Midlothian First Division 1 0
1982–83 23 21
1983–84 Premier Division 34 15
1984–85 33 8
1985–86 35 20
1986–87 37 16
1987–88 39 26
England League FA Cup League Cup Europe Total
1987–88 Newcastle United First Division 12 0
Scotland League Scottish Cup League Cup Europe Total
1988–89 Heart of Midlothian Premier Division 15 4
1989–90 32 17
1990–91 31 12
1991–92 42 14
1992–93 42 11
1993–94 36 8
1994–95 31 10
1995–96 33 12
1996–97 27 14
1997–98 21 6
1997–98 Dundee First Division 4 1
1998–99 Livingston Second Division 36 13
1999–00 First Division 5 1
Total Scotland 557 229
England 12 0
Career total 569 229

Managerial statistics

As of match played 16 September 2017[13]
Managerial record by team and tenure
Team Nat From To Record
G W D L Win %
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Scotland 26 December 2002 3 November 2004 84 44 13 27 052.38
Heart of Midlothian Scotland 3 November 2004 9 May 2005 35 13 9 13 037.14
Ross County Scotland 21 June 2005 24 October 2005 15 6 5 4 040.00
Livingston Scotland 15 February 2006 15 April 2007 51 15 10 26 029.41
Derry City Republic of Ireland 2 July 2007 11 December 2007 24 8 8 8 033.33
East Fife Scotland 26 October 2010 1 March 2012 62 28 11 23 045.16
Inverness Caledonian Thistle Scotland 14 June 2017 Present 11 4 2 5 036.36
Career total 282 118 58 106 041.84

Honours

Player

Heart of Midlothian
Livingston

Manager

Inverness Caledonian Thistle
Derry City

References

  1. ^ "John Robertson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 24 March 2017.
  2. ^ "Heart of Midlothian VS Hibernian". www.fifa.com. FIFA. Retrieved 27 July 2014.
  3. ^ How Hearts lost the Scottish title to Celtic in 1986
  4. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZFezYotlVk#t=380.218895
  5. ^ Dundee 2 – 0 Hearts on youtube
  6. ^ How Albert Kidd became a Hibs and Celtic legend without playing for them
  7. ^ a b "A to Z of sports with Hearts legend John Robertson". The Scottish Sun. Retrieved 12 September 2016. Ever been injured on international duty? I missed Euro 1992 due to an injury I picked up in Chicago while training with the squad. I was flown home and given a fortnight to prove my fitness. Everything seemed OK and then in the last minute of the practice game I smashed in a shot and my groin area just exploded. I missed the finals and required a hernia operation, and I was gutted at missing out having played a big part in qualifying.
  8. ^ a b c "Robertson named Livingston boss". BBC Sport. BBC. 15 February 2006. Retrieved 19 October 2011.
  9. ^ "Derry sack Robertson". Retrieved 11 December 2007.
  10. ^ "John Robertson". Retrieved 1 March 2012.
  11. ^ Healey, Derek (14 June 2017). "John Robertson returns as Caley Jags boss 13 years after securing top flight promotion". The Press and Journal. DC Thomson & Co Ltd. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  12. ^ "John Robertson returns as Inverness Caley Thistle manager". BBC Sport. BBC. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  13. ^ "John Robertson's managerial career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
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