John Rankin (footballer, born 1983)

John Rankin (born 27 June 1983) is a Scottish football coach and former player, who manages Scottish Championship club Hamilton Academical.

John Rankin

Personal information
Date of birth	(1983-06-27) 27 June 1983 (age 41)
Place of birth	Bellshill, Scotland
Position(s)	Central Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Hamilton Academical (head coach)
Youth career
	Rangers SABC[1]
2000–2003	Manchester United
2001	→ Corinthians (loan)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2006	Ross County	101	(17)
2006–2008	Inverness Caledonian Thistle	49	(9)
2008–2011	Hibernian	100	(6)
2011–2016	Dundee United	173	(12)
2016–2017	Falkirk	13	(0)
2017–2018	Queen of the South	51	(2)
2018–2020	Clyde	42	(10)
Total		529	(56)
International career
2006	Scotland B	1	(0)
Managerial career
2022–	Hamilton Academical
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Rankin played as a central midfielder for Ross County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Hibernian, Dundee United, Falkirk, Queen of the South and Clyde. Rankin also played once for a Scotland B team, in 2006.

Playing career

Early career

Rankin started his career at English Premier League club Manchester United but did not make any first team appearances.^[2] Whilst at the Red Devils, he was loaned out to Corinthians, along with Ben Muirhead by Alex Ferguson, to gain experience before returning to Manchester United. However, his time there was a disaster, as he explained about how both players struggled for food whilst there:

We got up one day and had our breakfast but then ate no lunch and no dinner. The day after we had NOTHING to eat. Our next meal was lunch the following day. We hadn't eaten for two days and had been at six training sessions so it was a struggle. The other players knew where to go for food but we couldn't communicate with anyone.

Rankin also spoke about the poverty he had seen in his time in Brazil:

One of my main memories is the poverty in the place. I saw people living in wooden sheds and kids begging. The children hunted in packs for food. The kids hung lollipops over your wing mirror if you stopped at traffic lights and if you took them off they'd ask for money. That's how bad it was. I've young children myself now and it's not right for a boy of eight to have to beg. It was a reality check. I was only 18 and it was heart breaking. It really opened my eyes.^[3]

Rankin was released by Manchester United in June 2003.^[4] After unsuccessful trials with a number of Scottish Premier League clubs^[5] Rankin signed for Scottish First Division club Ross County in 2003 and played in 101 league matches for the Dingwall club and scored 17 goals. Rankin also received two league Player of the Year awards.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

Rankin moved to Highland derby rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle for a reported fee of £65,000 in 2006, making him one of several players to have played for both Highland clubs. Rankin played in 49 league matches and scored 9 goals for the Caley Jags that included a stunning last minute winner versus Rangers on 27 December 2006.^[6]

Hibernian

In January 2008, Rankin moved to Hibernian for a fee of £110,000.^[2] Rankin scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win for Hibs against Celtic on 7 December 2008.^[7] The goal was notable because it was scored from a yard in front of the centre circle, approximately 45 yards from the goal.^[7] The shot dipped and deceived the Celtic goalkeeper, Polish international Artur Boruc.^[7] After the game, Rankin described the shot as a "squiggler".^[7]

Rankin was a candidate for the Hibs captaincy after Rob Jones left for Scunthorpe United in the summer of 2009.^[8] New manager John Hughes decided to give the armband to Chris Hogg, however, with Ian Murray to serve as Hogg's vice captain.^[9] Rankin fell out of favour under Colin Calderwood and was told in March 2011 that his contract would not be renewed.^[10][11] Rankin played in 100 league matches for the Hibees and scored 6 goals.

Dundee United

Rankin signed a two-year contract with Dundee United on 17 May 2011.^[12] He scored five goals for United as the team finished fourth in the 2011–12 Scottish Premier League season and qualified for the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League.^[13] In June 2012, Rankin agreed an extended contract with United.^[13] He was appointed chairman of PFA Scotland in February 2013, replacing Jack Ross.^[14] On 26 February 2014, Rankin agreed a two-year contract extension.^[15] On 4 May 2016 it was announced that he would be one of eight out-of-contract players leaving the club at the end of the season, having not been offered a new contract.^[16] Rankin played in 173 league matches for Dundee United and scored 12 goals.

Falkirk

On 22 July 2016, Rankin signed for Falkirk,^[17] having spent time training with the club.^[18] Rankin left Falkirk on 5 January 2017 after the club agreed to terminate his contract.^[19] Rankin played in 13 league matches for the Bairns without scoring any goals.

Queen of the South

On 5 January 2017, Rankin joined Queen of the South on an 18-month contract, until the end of the 2017–18 season.^[20][21] Rankin was appointed Queens' club captain by recently appointed manager Gary Naysmith before the league match at St Mirren on 7 January 2017, taking over from previous captain Chris Higgins.^[22]

In March 2017, Rankin was appointed as the Under-17s coach at Heart of Midlothian, which he combined with his playing duties at the Doonhamers.^[23] Rankin relinquished his position as chairman of PFA Scotland in February 2018^[24] and he departed the Dumfries club at the end of the 2017–18 season.^[25] Rankin played in 51 league matches for the Doonhamers and scored two goals.

Clyde

On 9 June 2018, Rankin signed a one-year contract with his local club Clyde.^[26]

He was nominated for SPFL goal of the month for in successive months.^[27][28]

Rankin suffered a broken ankle in the penultimate league match of the season and missed the play-offs,^[29] but the club still won promotion to League One.^[30] At the PFA Scotland awards, he was shortlisted for Player of the Year and named in the Team of the Year for League Two.^[31]

During the 2018–19 season, Rankin scored nine goals in 39 appearances.^[32]

International career

Rankin represented Scotland B, in a match versus Turkey B in 2006, when he was a Ross County player.^[33]

Coaching career

Towards the end of his playing career Rankin took a youth coaching position with Heart of Midlothian.^[23] He moved to Hamilton Academical as assistant head coach in December 2021, and was promoted to the position of head coach in June 2022.^[34]

Career statistics

As of 8 March 2020^[35][36]

Club	Season	League		Scottish Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals	App	Goals
Ross County	2003–04	35	5	1	0	2	0	2	1	40	6
	2004–05	30	0	3	1	2	0	3	0	38	1
	2005–06	36	12	3	0	2	0	2	1	43	13
	Total	101	17	7	1	6	0	7	2	121	20
Inverness Caledonian Thistle	2006–07	34	6	3	0	0	0	0	0	37	6
	2007–08	15	3	0	0	3	0	0	0	18	3
	Total	49	9	3	0	3	0	0	0	55	9
Hibernian	2007–08	17	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	19	2
	2008–09	33	3	1	0	1	0	2	0	37	3
	2009–10	33	0	3	0	2	0	0	0	38	0
	2010–11	17	1	1	0	1	0	1	0	20	1
	Total	100	6	7	0	4	0	3	0	114	6
Dundee United	2011–12	38	4	3	1	2	0	2	0	45	5
	2012–13	35	2	4	0	2	0	2	0	43	2
	2013–14	35	2	5	0	3	0	0	0	43	2
	2014–15	30	2	2	0	3	0	0	0	35	2
	2015–16	35	2	4	0	2	0	0	0	41	2
	Total	173	12	18	1	12	0	4	0	207	13
Falkirk	2016-17	13	0	0	0	2	0	2	0	17	0
	Total	13	0	0	0	2	0	2	0	17	0
Queen of the South	2016–17	17	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	17	1
	2017–18	34	1	3	0	4	0	3	0	44	1
	Total	51	2	3	0	4	0	3	0	61	2
Clyde	2018-19	35	9	1	0	3	0	0	0	39	9
	2019-20	7	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	8	1
	Total	42	10	2	0	3	0	0	0	47	10
Career total		529	56	40	2	34	0	19	2	622	60

Managerial record

As of match played 18 February 2025

Team	From	To	Record
G	W	D	L	Win %
Hamilton Academical	28 June 2022	present	133	57	28	48	042.86
Total			133	57	28	48	042.86

Honours

Club

Man Utd Reserves

• Premier Reserve League North: 2001–02^[37]

Ross County

• Scottish Challenge Cup: Runner-up 2004–05

Dundee United

• Scottish Cup: Runner-up 2013–14
• Scottish League Cup: Runner-up 2014–15

Clyde

• Scottish League Two: Promotion 2018–19^[38]

Scotland U16s

• Victory Shield: 1997–98^[39]

Individual

• SPFA First Division Player of the Year: 2005–06^[40]
• Scottish Football League Player of the Year: 2005–06^[41]
• PFAS League Two Team of the Year: 2018–19^[42]
• Scottish First Division Player of the Month: November 2005,^[43] January 2006^[44]
• Scottish First Division Young Player of the Month: December 2003^[45]

Managerial

Hamilton Academical

• Scottish Challenge Cup: 2022–23^[46]
• Scottish Championship play-offs: 2023-24

See also

• List of footballers in Scotland by number of league appearances (500+)

References

1. "SABC continue to create stars for the future". Youth Football Scotland. 6 November 2013. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
2. "Hibernian sign Rankin from Caley". BBC Sport. 17 January 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
3. "John Rankin: Images of riots in Brazil reminded me of loan spell in poverty stricken Sao Paulo". Daily Record. Glasgow. 1 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2014.
4. Davies, Simon (3 June 2003). "Roche released". ManUtd.com. Manchester United Football Club. Archived from the original on 17 December 2005. Retrieved 21 April 2020.
5. "Eric sorry for seeing red". BBC Sport. 4 March 2003. Retrieved 23 February 2012.
6. "Inverness CT 2–1 Rangers". BBC Sport. 26 December 2006.
7. "Rankin practised long 'squiggler'". BBC Sport. 7 December 2008. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
8. Johnstone, Darren (18 July 2009). "Murray, Hogg and Rankin in contention for Hibs captaincy". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
9. "Hogg named new Hibernian captain". BBC Sport. 22 July 2009. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
10. Strachan, Colleen (9 March 2011). "Hibs: Stack faces months out as Rankin is told he can depart". Edinburgh Evening News. Retrieved 9 March 2011.
11. "Hibernian to release 10 players". BBC Sport. 29 April 2011. Retrieved 29 April 2011.
12. "Former Hibs midfielder John Rankin joins Dundee United". BBC Sport. 17 May 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
13. "Dundee United extend John Rankin contract". BBC Sport. 11 June 2012. Retrieved 11 June 2012.
14. Newport, Andy (26 February 2013). "John Rankin appointed as PFA Scotland chairman". The Scotsman. Johnston Publishing. Retrieved 26 February 2013.
15. "RANKIN COMMITS TO 2016". Dundee United FC. 26 February 2014.
16. McLauchlin, Brian (4 May 2016). "Dundee United: Ray McKinnon top of wanted list". BBC Sport Website. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
17. "JOHN RANKIN SIGNS FOR THE BAIRNS". Falkirk F.C. 22 July 2016. Archived from the original on 3 October 2016. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
18. "Ex-Dundee United captain trains with Bairns".
19. "John Rankin departs". Falkirk FC. 5 January 2017. Archived from the original on 6 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
20. "Rankin joins the ranks". Queen of the South FC. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
21. "John Rankin leaves Falkirk to join Queen of the South". BBC Sport. 5 January 2017. Retrieved 5 January 2017.
22. "St Mirren 0 Queen of the South 3 – 3 things we learned". 7 January 2017.
23. "Hearts coaching roles for John Rankin and Dale Carrick – Edinburgh Evening News". Archived from the original on 1 April 2017.
24. "John Rankin". PFA Scotland. 8 February 2018. Archived from the original on 9 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
25. "Manager Thanks Players As Rebuild Begins". Queen of the South FC. 28 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
26. "NEW SIGNING: John Rankin". Clyde FC. 9 June 2018. Retrieved 9 June 2018.
27. "VOTE: DECEMBER GOAL OF THE MONTH". SPFL. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
28. "VOTE FOR GOAL OF THE MONTH!". Clyde FC. 5 February 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
29. "Rankin Suffers Broken Ankle". Clyde FC. 28 April 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
30. "Clyde 2-0 Annan Athletic (agg 2-1)". Clyde FC. 18 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
31. "Clyde quartet make PFA Scotland Team of the Year". Cumbernauld News. 7 May 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
32. "Team Statistics". Clyde FC. Retrieved 21 May 2019.
33. "FUTURE CUP 2005". scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. Archived from the original on 1 July 2008. Retrieved 20 August 2013.
34. "Hamilton Academical promote John Rankin to head coach day after 39th birthday". BBC Sport. 28 June 2022. Retrieved 28 June 2022.
35. "John Rankin Stats". Soccerbase. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
36. "John Rankin Stats". Soccerway. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
37. "Reserve Stats 2001/02". We Are The Busby Boys. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
38. "Hearts coach John Rankin quits playing and aims to be a boss". The Scotsman. 26 June 2020. Retrieved 6 June 2021.
39. "INCH BY INCH IN EVERY MINUTE OF SKY SPORTS VICTORY SHIELD FOR YOUNG CELT HIGGINS". SPFL. 6 December 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
40. "Rankin voted best in Division One". BBC Sport. 1 May 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
41. "Rankin is voted top player in SFL". BBC Sport. 9 June 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
42. @PFAScotland (5 May 2019). "The League Two Team of the Year 2019 is....congratulations to all the players #PFAS #ToY" (Tweet). Retrieved 5 May 2019 – via Twitter.
43. "Bell's Monthly Awards for November, 2005". Scottish Professional Football League. 6 December 2005. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
44. "Bell's Monthly Awards for January, 2006". Scottish Professional Football League. 9 February 2006. Archived from the original on 25 April 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
45. "Rankin takes young player award". BBC Sport. 13 January 2004. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
46. Raith Rovers 0–1 Hamilton Academical, Andrew Petrie, BBC Sport, 26 March 2023