Quick Facts
Biography
John Rankin (born 27 June 1983 in Bellshill, Scotland) is a Scottish footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Queen of the South and is the current club captain. Rankin has previously played for Ross County, Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Hibernian, Dundee United and Falkirk. Rankin represented Scotland B for one appearance in 2006.
Playing career
Early career
Rankin began his career with English Premier League club Manchester United, but did not make any first team appearances. While at Manchester United, Rankin was sent to Corinthians, along with Ben Muirhead, by Alex Ferguson, to gain experience at Manchester United in the near future. However, his time there was a disaster, as he spoke about how both players struggled for food while they were there:
He also spoke about the poverty he had seen in his time in Brazil:
After unsuccessful trials with a number of Scottish Premier League sides, he joined Scottish First Division side Ross County in 2003, going on to make over 100 league appearances for the Dingwall club and receiving two league Player of the Year awards.
Inverness Caledonian Thistle
He 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. He made 55 appearances and scored nine goals, including a stunning last minute winner against Rangers on 27 December 2006.
Hibernian
In January 2008, Rankin moved to Hibernian for a fee of £110,000. Rankin scored the opening goal in a 2–0 win for Hibs against Celtic on 7 December 2008. The goal was notable because it was scored from a yard in front of the centre circle, approximately 45 yards from the goal. The shot dipped and deceived the Celtic goalkeeper, Polish international Artur Boruc. After the game, Rankin described the shot as a "squiggler".
Rankin was a candidate for the Hibs captaincy after Rob Jones left for Scunthorpe United in the summer of 2009. New manager John Hughes decided to give the armband to Chris Hogg, however, with Ian Murray to serve as Hogg's vice captain. Rankin fell out of favour under Colin Calderwood and was told in March 2011 that his contract would not be renewed.
Dundee United
Rankin signed a two-year deal with Dundee United on 17 May 2011. Rankin 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. In June 2012, Rankin agreed an extended contract with United. Rankin was appointed chairman of PFA Scotland in February 2013, replacing Jack Ross. On 26 February 2014, Rankin agreed a two-year contract extension. It was announced on 4 May 2016 that Rankin would be one of eight out-of contract players leaving the club at the end of the season, having not been offered a new deal.
Falkirk
On 22 July 2016, Rankin signed for Falkirk, having spent time training with the club. Rankin left Falkirk on 5 January 2017 after the club agreed to terminate his contract.
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. 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.
International career
Rankin represented Scotland B, in a match versus Turkey B in 2006, when he was a Ross County player.
Career statistics
- As of 23 January 2017
| Club | Season | League | 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 CT | 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 |
| Queen of the South | 2016–17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Career total | 439 | 44 | 35 | 2 | 27 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 517 | 48 | |
Honours
Individual
- Scottish First Division Players' Player of the Year: 2005–06
- Scottish Football League Player of the Year: 2005–06
- Scottish First Division Player of the Month: November 2005, January 2006
- Scottish First Division Young Player of the Month: December 2003
- "Rankin voted best in Division One". BBC Sport. 1 May 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- "Rankin is voted top player in SFL". BBC Sport. 9 June 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- "Bell's Monthly Awards for November, 2005". Scottish Professional Football League. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- "Bell's Monthly Awards for January, 2006". Scottish Professional Football League. 9 February 2006. Retrieved 17 July 2016.
- "Rankin takes young player award". BBC Sport. 13 January 2004. Retrieved 17 July 2016.