Paul McMullan (footballer, born 1996)
Paul James McMullan (born 25 February 1996) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a winger for League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City. McMullan started his career with Celtic and has also had loan spells at Greenock Morton, Stenhousemuir, St Mirren and Dunfermline Athletic. He then signed for Dundee United before joining their city rivals Dundee, winning the Scottish Championship with both clubs.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paul James McMullan[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 25 February 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Stirling, Scotland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 9 in (1.76 m)[2] | ||
| Position(s) | Winger/Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Derry City | ||
| Number | 12 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2017 | Celtic | 0 | (0) |
| 2015 | → Stenhousemuir (loan) | 15 | (3) |
| 2015–2016 | → St Mirren (loan) | 17 | (1) |
| 2016 | → Greenock Morton (loan) | 11 | (1) |
| 2016–2017 | → Dunfermline Athletic (loan) | 29 | (2) |
| 2017–2021 | Dundee United | 93 | (11) |
| 2021 | → Dundee (loan) | 15 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | Dundee | 71 | (6) |
| 2023– | Derry City | 28 | (1) |
| International career | |||
| 2011 | Scotland U16 | 4 | (1) |
| 2012 | Scotland U17 | 3 | (1) |
| 2014–2015 | Scotland U19 | 7 | (1) |
| 2017 | Scotland U21 | 1 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22:00, 10 May 2024 (UTC) | |||
Career edit
Celtic edit
Born in Stirling, McMullan began his career in the under-19 team at Celtic.
Stenhousemuir (loan) edit
On 23 January 2015, he joined Scottish League One club Stenhousemuir on loan for the remainder of the season.[3] He made his senior debut the following day, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–1 draw with Ayr United at Ochilview Park, scoring his team's goal.[4] On 14 February, he opened the scoring away to Dunfermline Athletic, who came from behind to defeat Stenhousemuir 3–2.[5] McMullan's only other goal of 14 league appearances came on 11 April in a defeat by the same score at Greenock Morton.[6] Stenhousemuir finished in the relegation play-off places, but stayed up with a 2–1 aggregate victory over Queen's Park: McMullan's free-kick set up Jamie McCormack to head the only goal of the first leg on 13 May,[7] and he also assisted Colin McMenamin in the second leg three days later.[8]
St Mirren (loan) edit
On 13 July 2015, McMullan was loaned to Scottish Championship club St Mirren for the 2015–16 season.[9] He made his debut 12 days later, playing the full 90 minutes of a 3–1 home win over Berwick Rangers in the first round of the Scottish Challenge Cup.[10] On 7 August, he made his league debut for the team in a defeat by the same score to Rangers at Ibrox.[11] Twenty-two days later, he scored his only goal for the team from Paisley, taking four minutes to open a 1–1 draw against Livingston at St. Mirren Park; the result meant his team had not won yet in four league games of the season.[12]
In January 2016, McMullan's loan was ended by Saints, and he returned to Celtic. In total, he played 22 games for the club, scoring once.[13]
Greenock Morton (loan) edit
McMullan was loaned to Greenock Morton on 24 February 2016, making his debut in a 3–0 Championship win at Hibernian on the same day.[14] On 15 March at Cappielow, he scored his first goal for the Ton, putting them 3–0 up at half time in an eventual 3–2 win over Queen of the South.[15]
Dunfermline Athletic (loan) edit
On 4 July 2016, McMullan was loaned to newly promoted Championship team Dunfermline Athletic, as PJ Crossan made the move in the other direction on a permanent basis.[16]
Dundee United edit
On 23 June 2017, McMullan signed a two-year contract with Dundee United.[17]
Dundee edit
On 7 January 2021, McMullan signed a pre-contract with United's crosstown rivals Dundee, which would see him begin a two-year deal at the end of the season.[18] On 26 January, McMullan joined Dundee on loan until the end of the season.[19] Despite only joining in January, McMullan would sit atop the league assist charts by the end of the season, and would play a key role in helping the club win the Premiership play-offs and gaining promotion back to the Scottish Premiership.[20][21] At the end of the season, McMullan was named in the SPFL's Championship Team of the Season.[22]
McMullan officially joined Dundee on his two-year deal in June 2021.[23] He would score his first competitive goals for the club in the Scottish League Cup, netting a brace against Brora Rangers.[24] On 5 March 2022, McMullan would finally score his first league goal for the club since he joined over a year prior in a draw away to Motherwell.[25]
After returning to the Scottish Championship the following season, McMullan would have a very strong start in both goals and assists, and would be named the Championship Player of the Month in November 2022.[26] At the end of the season McMullan would be nominated for PFA Scotland's Championship Player of the Year,[27] and would win the Scottish Championship with Dundee.[28] On 31 May 2023, Dundee announced McMullan had not been offered a new contract and would leave the club.[29]
Derry City edit
On 25 June 2023, McMullan signed with League of Ireland Premier Division club Derry City, and would start playing for the side on 1 July.[30] He would make his first start and appearance in a home win over Sligo Rovers.[31] McMullan scored his first goal for the Candystripes on 6 May 2024 in a league draw against Shelbourne.[32]
International edit
McMullan represented Scotland at the under-16,[33] under-17,[34] under-19[35] and under-21 levels. He made his debut for the under-21 team in March 2017, appearing in a goalless draw against Estonia.[36]
Career statistics edit
- As of match played 10 May 2024[37]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Celtic | 2014–15 | Scottish Premiership | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015–16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2016–17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Stenhousemuir (loan) | 2014–15 | Scottish League One | 15 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[a] | 0 | 19 | 3 |
| St Mirren (loan) | 2015–16 | Scottish Championship | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[b] | 0 | 22 | 1 |
| Greenock Morton (loan) | 2015–16 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 1 | |
| Dunfermline Athletic (loan) | 2016–17 | 29 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 2[b] | 1 | 39 | 7 | |
| Dundee United | 2017–18 | Scottish Championship | 30 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 4[c] | 1 | 40 | 9 |
| 2018–19 | 32 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6[d] | 3 | 43 | 7 | ||
| 2019–20 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1[b] | 0 | 29 | 3 | ||
| 2020–21 | Scottish Premiership | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| Total | 93 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 15 | 3 | 11 | 4 | 123 | 19 | ||
| Dundee (loan) | 2020–21 | Scottish Championship | 15 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 4[e] | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| Dundee | 2021–22 | Scottish Premiership | 36 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 2 | — | 44 | 3 | |
| 2022–23 | Scottish Championship | 35 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 4[b] | 1 | 46 | 7 | |
| Total | 86 | 6 | 6 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 8 | 1 | 110 | 10 | ||
| Derry City | 2023 | League of Ireland Premier Division | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 6[f] | 0 | 20 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0[g] | 0 | 16 | 0 | |||
| Total | 28 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | 36 | 0 | |||
| Career total | 279 | 24 | 17 | 6 | 30 | 5 | 34 | 6 | 360 | 41 | ||
- ^ Appearances in the Scottish League One play-offs
- ^ a b c d Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
- ^ Two appearances and one goal in the Scottish Challenge Cup and two appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
- ^ Two appearances and two goals in the Scottish Challenge Cup and four appearances and one goal in the Scottish Premiership play-offs
- ^ Appearances in the Premiership play-offs
- ^ Appearances in the UEFA Europa Conference League
- ^ Appearances in the UEFA Conference League
Honours edit
Club edit
Dundee United
Dundee
Individual edit
Dundee
- SPFL Championship Team of the Season: 2020–21[22]
- Scottish Championship Player of the Month: November 2022[26]
References edit
- ^ "UEFA Youth League 2013/2014: Booking List before Group Stage Matchday 6" (PDF). UEFA. 5 December 2013. p. 8. Retrieved 1 March 2021.
- ^ "Paul McMullan". dundeeunitedfc.co.uk. Dundee United F.C. Retrieved 5 December 2020.
- ^ . Falkirk Herald. 23 January 2015. Archived from the original on 11 March 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ "Stenhousemuir 1–1 Ayr". BBC Sport. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ "Dunfermline 3-2 Stenhousemuir". BBC Sport. 14 February 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ "Morton 3-2 Stenhousemuir". BBC Sport. 11 April 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ Crawford, Kenny (13 May 2015). "Queen's Park 0-1 Stenhousemuir". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ Lamont, Alasdair (16 May 2015). "Stenhousemuir 1–1 Queen's Park". BBC Sport. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ "St Mirren take Paul McMullan on loan from Celtic". BBC Sport. 13 July 2015. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ Haggerty, Anthony (25 July 2015). "St Mirren 3 Berwick Rangers 1: Winning start to Ian Murray's reign in Paisley as Buddies see off Borderers". Daily Record. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ "Rangers 3-1 St Mirren". BBC Sport. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
- ^ "St Mirren 1-1 Livingston". BBC Sport. 29 August 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- ^ . St Mirren F.C. 1 February 2016. Archived from the original on 8 February 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ^ Steele, Russell (24 February 2016). "Morton swoop to sign Celtic man on loan". Greenock Telegraph. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
- ^ "Greenock Morton 3-2 Queen of the South". BBC Sport. 15 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
- ^ "Celtic: PJ Crossan signs as Paul McMullan joins Dunfermline on loan". BBC Sport. 4 July 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
- ^ "United sign McMullan". Dundee United. 23 June 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "McMullan signs a pre-contract". dundeefc.co.uk. 7 January 2021. Retrieved 7 January 2021.
- ^ "Paul joins on loan". dundeefc.co.uk. 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "Scottish Championship Top Assists". BBC. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Dundee promoted as Kilmarnock drop down for first time in 28 years". BBC. 24 May 2021. Retrieved 24 May 2021.
- ^ a b "Championship Team of the Season 2020/21". SPFL.co.uk. 9 June 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
- ^ "Paul signs permanent deal with club". dundeefc.co.uk. 11 June 2021. Retrieved 11 June 2021.
- ^ "Dundee v Brora Rangers". BBC. 13 July 2021. Retrieved 14 July 2021.
- ^ "Dundee 'would take play-off place now'". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
- ^ a b "Championship award for McMullan | SPFL". spfl.co.uk. Retrieved 30 November 2022.
- ^ Cran, George. "Dundee star Paul McMullan in the running for PFA Player of the Year". The Courier. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ a b "Dundee back in Premiership after eight-goal epic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ "Squad update". Dundee Football Club - Official Website. 31 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ Collins, Simon (25 June 2023). "Former Dundee winger excited for new challenge with Derry City in Ireland". Retrieved 25 June 2023.
- ^ "Patching scores injury-time winner against Sligo". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ "Candystripes denied by leaders Shelbourne at Brandywell". BBC Sport. 6 May 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ "Paul McMullan". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ "Paul McMullan". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ "Paul McMullan". Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ "Scotland Under-21 0-0 Estonia Under-21". BBC Sport. BBC. 28 March 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2017.
- ^ Paul McMullan at Soccerbase
External links edit
- Paul McMullan at Soccerbase