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Craig Bryson

Squad No:99
Position:Central Midfield
Date of Birth:6th November 1986
Contract Date:June 2014
Previous Clubs:Clyde, Kilmarnock

Craig James Bryson was born in Rutherglen Scotland on the 6th of November 1986. Recognised as a very talented junior player, Bryson signed his first professional contract with Clyde for the 2003–04 season.

He didn't make a first team appearance for the club and was loaned out to a junior team set up at East Kilbride Thistle later the same season. It was there he made a massive impression and excelled winning the club's Young Player of the Year award.

After returning to Clyde he was handed a first team debut for them in the Scottish First Division against Raith Rovers on the 14th August 2004. His first match was one to remember after starting in the best way by getting his name on the score sheet after only 4 minutes as Clyde went on to win 3-2.

Bryson was offered and accepted a new contract in November and the accolades kept rolling in when he was selected in the Scotland under-19 team for a friendly against Germany.

Bryson scored in a 2–1 victory over Ross County in a Scottish Cup replay which earned them a quarter-final tie against Celtic who Bryson had followed fanatically as a boy.

Bryson started the Cup tie against Celtic and looked to have scored after hitting the back of the net from a long range strike. Unfortunately his goal was controversially ruled out after the referee had blown his whistle to award a free kick to Clyde. Celtic went on to win 5–0.

Craig continued his good form over the season and went on to win Clyde's Young Player of the Year Award for 2004–05.

During the 2005–06 season Bryson made a name for himself when he scored goals against both of the Old Firm clubs. In September 2005, he scored Clyde's equalising goal against Rangers in a Scottish League Cup tie at Ibrox Stadium, in a brave 5–2 extra time defeat.

In January 2006, Bryson scored the opener in what became a famous 2–1 Scottish Cup win over Celtic, the game in which Roy Keane made his Celtic debut.

Craig’s profile was on the rise and it was no surprise he was being linked with moves to bigger clubs as both Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur were being touted at possible suitors. A move did not eventuate but Bryson’s good form earned a call up to represent the Scotland under-21 side.

In October 2006, Bryson scored in a 3–1 victory over Greenock Morton in a Scottish Challenge Cup semi-final, which sent Clyde to their first major final in 48 years. He started the final the following month against Ross County, which Clyde lost on penalties.

Bryson, along with club-mate Neil McGregor, was selected in the SPFA First Division Team of 2006–07 and with his contract expiring it was then Bryson first had a brush with Derby County. In January 2007 Billy Davies gave a week's trial to Craig but Davies decided not to sign him permanently.

Bryson left Clyde at the end of the 2006–07 season, having made 114 overall appearances, scoring 12 goals.

Bryson signed for SPL side Kilmarnock in July 2007 and scored his first goals for the club in a 3–1 victory against Aberdeen.

During 2008 Bryson established himself as an integral part of the first team and was considered one of the rising midfield stars in the league. His good form meant the Scottish club were keen to ensure his future and negotiated a contract extension which would keep him at Killie until the summer of 2013.

During his time in the SPL he went from a promising youngster to the Captain of his club in less than three years and made his full international debut for Scotland as a second half substitute on 16th November 2010 against Faroe Islands at Pittodrie.

At only 24 years of age was beginning to attract much interest in Scotland and the Championship in England with reports that Derby, Leicester, Hull and Brighton were all chasing his services.

On June 4 2011 after much press speculation, Kilmarnock and Derby County agreed to a transfer and Bryson signed for the Rams on June 9. The fee was officially announced as ‘undisclosed’ but media outlets speculated it to be in the vicinity of £350,000 which could rise to £450,000 with appearances.

He left Kilmarnock behind having made 135 appearances, scoring 14 goals. Last season he started 33 of the 38 SPL played and was a major factor in the Killie achieving a top-six finish.

On signing with the Rams Bryson was excited about the challenge ahead:

"When I came down on trial four years ago, Billy Davies didn't feel I was quite ready and he was right, to be fair. I think I got the trial on the back of one game – when I scored in a famous cup win against Celtic, which was shown live on Sky – but I didn't have much experience at the time.”

"I eventually went to Kilmarnock, where I played a lot of games and ended up as captain. So I feel I am coming to Derby this time as a much more experienced, mature player.”

"I wasn't ready then but I am now.”

"I have always thought about coming back and I told my parents that if I ever got the opportunity to go back, I would jump at the chance. There were a couple of other Championship teams interested but as soon as I found out Derby wanted me, my mind was made up.”

"It's a brilliant opportunity for me and I can't wait to get started. Derby is a huge club with big ambitions, so it was an easy decision to make."

"At Kilmarnock, they played either a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-2-1, and I have played in the two and the three. I've not scored as many goals as I would have liked so far but, hopefully, I can get a few in the Championship."

"I would describe myself as a box-to-box central midfielder, who will always give 100% for the team. Even if I'm not having the best of games, I will always give absolutely everything, which is all the fans ask for, I think.”

"If you don't do that, you are cheating yourself, the manager and the supporters.”

Rams manager Nigel Clough revealed the club had been keeping an eye on the Killie Captain for quite some time:

"It's a tremendous signing for us and we are delighted that Craig has chosen to come to Derby County. He is a leader on and off the field and has a tremendous hunger to improve.”

"We have watched him in action repeatedly over the last six months and he has energy and ability in abundance.”

"At 24, he is a player we see having a big impact both now and in the future."

Player Ratings for Craig Bryson

DateOppositionVScoreReportsRating
5 AugWigan Athletic H1 - 20 N/A
8 AugBlackpool CC1st RoundH0 - 20 N/A
12 AugBurton Albion A0 - 30 N/A
15 AugOxford United H1 - 20 N/A
19 AugFleetwood Town H1 - 00 N/A
26 AugPeterborough United A2 - 40 N/A

2 SepBolton Wanderers A2 - 10 N/A
16 SepPortsmouth H1 - 10 N/A
19 SepLincoln City H2 - 00 N/A
23 SepCarlisle United A0 - 20 N/A
30 SepCambridge United H0 - 00 N/A

3 OctBlackpool A1 - 30 N/A
7 OctCheltenham Town A1 - 10 N/A
10 OctNotts County A1 - 20 N/A
21 OctShrewsbury Town A1 - 00 N/A
24 OctExeter City H2 - 00 N/A
28 OctStevenage A3 - 10 N/A
31 OctNorthampton Town H4 - 00 N/A

5 NovCrewe Alexandra FAC1st RoundA2 - 20 N/A
8 NovWolves U21 H0 - 00 N/A
11 NovBarnsley H3 - 00 N/A
14 NovCrewe Alexandra FAC1st Round ReplaysH1 - 30 N/A
25 NovBristol Rovers H2 - 10 N/A
28 NovPort Vale A0 - 10 N/A

5 DecFleetwood Town H3 - 00 N/A
9 DecLeyton Orient A0 - 30 N/A
16 DecWycombe Wanderers H1 - 10 N/A
21 DecLincoln City H3 - 10 N/A
26 DecWigan Athletic A0 - 10 N/A
29 DecOxford United A2 - 30 N/A

1 JanPeterborough United H2 - 30 N/A
6 JanFleetwood Town A1 - 30 N/A
9 JanBradford City H0 - 10 N/A
15 JanBurton Albion H3 - 20 N/A
20 JanLincoln City A0 - 00 N/A
23 JanReading A1 - 00 N/A
27 JanCheltenham Town H2 - 10 N/A

3 FebCharlton Athletic A0 - 10 N/A
10 FebShrewsbury Town H1 - 10 N/A
13 FebExeter City A0 - 30 N/A
17 FebStevenage H1 - 00 N/A
24 FebBarnsley A2 - 10 N/A
27 FebCharlton Athletic H1 - 20 N/A

2 MarPort Vale H3 - 00 N/A
9 MarBristol Rovers A0 - 30 N/A
12 MarReading H2 - 10 N/A
16 MarBolton Wanderers H1 - 00 N/A
23 MarNorthampton Town A1 - 00 N/A

Player Stats for Craig Bryson

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News Stories for Craig Bryson

The Weston Report: Not Many Rams Will Relax On Their Holidays Tue 02nd May 2017
The last home game of an overly eventful season which included; the Pearson debacle, the return of the Mac (again) and Rowett’s homecoming, and that was just in the managerial hot seat!
Bill's Take: One Year Later And Little Has Changed For Listless Rams Thu 27th Apr 2017
In last week’s article, I brought up the subject of the Rams’ poor showing this season in matches against the top six in the Championship.
Bill's Take: Rams Will Need To Be Smarter To Better The Best Thu 20th Apr 2017
“They wanted it more than us”. “They were the better team on the day”. “We just weren’t up for it”.
Bill's Take: No Rush For The Rams Fri 17th Mar 2017
The Rams have identified the problem at the root of the recent run of poor results; they have eliminated it and found a solution. The problem turned out to be the same as it always seems to be; they had a duff manager!
What I.Saw: McClaren Sounds Like A Man Adrift... Completely Lost Wed 08th Mar 2017
Tuesday 7th March, Derby County versus Preston North End, it didn't feel like a football match. No excitement, no anticipation. It was flatter than the fens. Outside that was.
The Weston Report: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly Rams Mon 13th Feb 2017
A home game against a relegation-threatened side who haven’t won on the road since September. Surely a regulation home-win, right? Wrong, as what was actually served up was a reminder of how bonkers the Championship really is.
What I.Saw: A Crazy Day At Pride Park Sun 12th Feb 2017
Darren Bent summed up my feelings perfectly after the match yesterday. He said; “As a player I want to play in every game, I have a love of the FA Cup”.
The Weston Report: I Feared Steve McClaren Would Collapse! Mon 23rd Jan 2017
You know those games that it feels like you’ve played in? Mark this down as one of them, as the Rams gave their playoff hopes a boost by winning a pulsating game against the Royals.
What I.Saw:If Football Were Cake This Was A Battenberg Sun 22nd Jan 2017
If Football were cake. Yesterday at Pride Park, it would have been a Battenberg, a cake split into four squares, held together with the merest of Jam and all wrapped up in sweet sugary marzipan.
The Weston Report: 10 Unbeaten Is not Something To Be Booed At Mon 02nd Jan 2017
Perhaps we had one eye on the evening activities. Or perhaps we were full of cheese and wine?
More news for Craig Bryson from RamZone and Football Latest
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