Steven Lawless

Steven Lawless (born 12 April 1991) is a Scottish professional footballer currently playing for Scottish Premiership side Partick Thistle as a left-sided winger. Lawless, a product of Motherwell's youth system, started his professional career at Fir Park. However, he failed to break into the club's first team, and was eventually loaned to Annan Athletic and later Albion Rovers. Following an extended loan period at Rovers, Lawless joined Jackie McNamara's Partick Thistle side in 2012, where he played a significant part in helping Thistle to achieve promotion to the Scottish Premiership in 2013.

Motherwell

A product of the Fir Park youth system, Lawless was given a two-year professional contract in summer 2010, after helping Motherwell under-19's finish second in the 2009–10 Scottish Premier under-19 League, with Motherwell scoring the highest amount of goals that season.

Lawless was loaned to Annan Athletic for a month at the beginning of the 2010–11 season, only managing to appear twice in Cup competitions. He was then loaned to Albion Rovers towards the end of the transfer window, along with Steven Meechan and Peter Innes. Initially the loan was to last six months, but was extended to a full season after Lawless had impressed. He scored his first goal, in a 2–2 draw against former club Annan Athletic on 19 February 2011. Between 16 April 2011 and 23 April 2011, Lawless scored back-to-back goals against East Stirlingshire and Queen's Park. Later in the season, He helped the Cliftonhill side to promotion to the Second Division, beating former club Annan Athletic in the play-off final.

Lawless then returned to Fir Park and featured in a host of pre-season friendlies. He made his competitive first-team debut for Motherwell against Clyde in the League Cup, scoring the final goal in a 4–0 win.

On 18 October 2011, Lawless returned to Albion Rovers on an initial 28-day emergency loan, scoring on his second debut for the club in a 2–1 loss to Dumbarton. Lawless then scored a brace, in a 3–3 draw against Cowdenbeath on 3 December 2011. The loan was later extended until 5 January.

On 11 May 2012, it was confirmed that Lawless would be released at the end of his contract, having not played regularly during the 2011–12 season. Since leaving Motherwell for Partick Thistle, Lawless revealed he's disappointed to never get a chance in the first team at Motherwell.

Partick Thistle

Three days later on 15 May 2012, Lawless was signed by Jackie McNamara to play for Scottish First Division Partick Thistle by signing a two-year contract.

Lawless scored his first goal (and the club's first goal of the season, with his left-footed shot, as Thistle beat Falkirk 3–1 on the opening game of the season and would score again, the following week, in a 1–0 win over Dunfermline Athletic. Having make a perfect start on his start of the season, Lawless was awarded August IRN-BRU SFL Phenomenal Young Player of the Month. Lawless would say he couldn't have asked for a better start in his Partrick Thistle's career. On 19 January 2013, during a match between Thistle and Falkirk, Lawless provided an assist Conrad Balatoni to score the first goal before coming off on the 25th minutes with a Fractured Cheekbone and after going under the knife, Lawless would be out for months. However, Lawless made a quick recovery following operation In his first season, Lawless since become a regular player in the first team and produced with some high-class displays by scoring thirteen goals in his first season, including scoring three braces and also led Partick Thistle promoted to the Scottish Premier League for the first time in nine years. His performance not only attracted Scotland, but also England. On 21 June 2013, Partick Thistle rejected a five-figure sum transfer fee for Lawless from recently relegated Dutch club Willem ll.

In 2013–14 season, Lawless played his first Scottish Premiership game, in a 0–0 draw against Dundee United, where he made his first start and played 90 minutes. Then, eight days later, Lawless scored twice, in a 3–1 win over Ross County, giving their first win of the season and the first time since 2004. However, Lawless struggled for match action in recent games. He then score his third goal of the season, in a 5–1 loss against Motherwell on 29 December 2013 and then another against Ross County.

Following a relatively successful season with Thistle in the Scottish Premiership, Lawless signed a further contract which will keep him at Firhill until the end of the 2014–15 Scottish Premiership season. Lawless made his 100th overall appearance for the Jags in a 5–0 win over Hamilton Academical at Firhill on 21 January 2015.

On 14 May 2015, Lawless was accused of breaching Scottish Football Association rules concerning gambling on matches and one week later was given a six-match ban, with four of those suspended until the end of the 2015–16 season.

On 29 May 2015, Lawless signed a new one-year contract extension with the Jags, keeping him at Firhill until the end of the 2015–16 Scottish Premiership season.

As of 23 May 2015

Albion Rovers

• Scottish Division Two Play-offs (1):2010–11

Partick Thistle

• Scottish Football League First Division (1):2012–13
• Scottish Challenge Cup:**Runners up (1): 2012–13

Individual

• IRN-BRU SFL Phenomenal Young Player of the Month: August 2012.