Robbie Neilson

Football player infobox
playername = Robbie Neilson


fullname =
height = height|ft=5|in=8
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1980|6|16
cityofbirth = Paisley
countryofbirth = Scotland
currentclub = Heart of Midlothian
clubnumber = 2
position = Right-back
youthyears =
youthclubs = Rangers
years = 1996-
clubs = Hearts
caps(goals) = 181 (1)
nationalyears = 2006
nationalteam = Scotland
nationalcaps(goals) = 001 (0)
pcupdate = 23:54, 27 March 2007 (UTC)
ntupdate = 11 October 2006 (UTC)

Robbie Neilson (born 19 June 1980, in Paisley) is a Scottish professional football player currently playing as a right-back for Hearts in the Scottish Premier League.

Robbie Neilson was originally attached to Rangers, the team he supported, through their Boys Club system, however, he joined Hearts Youth Academy at 16, as he felt it offered him a better chance of eventual first-team football and career progression. With hindsight, his judgment could be viewed as a wise one, for few of his contemporaries have established themselves at Ibrox.

Although lacking in both raw pace and intricate footballing skills, Robbie Neilson has developed a good positional awareness, which has helped to ensure the Hearts' offside trap is amongst the most effective in the Scottish Premier League. Neilson is also famed for his long throw-in, which can be just as effective as a corner from halfway inside the opponents half.

Robbie Neilson has been capped for Scotland U21's and had time on loan at Cowdenbeath (1999-00).

In August 2002 the 22 year old Neilson joined Dumfries club Queen of the South on loan. This turned out to be a very successful move [ [http://www.heartsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Squad/PlayerProfilesDetail/0,,10289~6959,00.html Robbie Neilson | Hearts | Football | Player Profiles | Player Profiles ] ] returning to Tynecastle refreshed, more experienced and determined to win his place in the team. [ [http://www.heartsfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/HallofFameDetail/0,,10289~893888,00.html Robbie Neilson | Hearts | Hall of Fame | Hall of Fame ] ] Neilson helped the Dumfries club consolidate their first division status and helped Queens win the Scottish Challenge Cup final 2 - 0 against Brechin City. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/2340231.stm BBC SPORT | Scotland | Queen of the South lift Bells Cup ] ] Andy Goram also played in the cup final side. Neilson's 17 games at Queens included a man of the match performance at Clyde (as decided by votes on Queens' website). [ [http://www.qosfc.com/mom02.htm Official Queen of the South Site ] ] Neilson said of Queens, "It was great because I got the chance to play regularly at Queen of the South. I still hold the club in my heart and I look for their results on a Saturday after our game. The people down there were great with me, it's a well-run club and a real family club with a good spirit about the place." [ [http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Young-stars-should-take-step.3976148.jp}] Neilson returned to Tynecastle in January 2003.

The pinnacle of his career to date would probably be his match-winning goal in Hearts' 2-1 victory away to FC Basel in the 2004-05 UEFA Cup, remarkably his first in any competition for the club.

He is also famed for his quick thinking during his team's Scottish Cup final against Gretna in 2006. Where his tackle prevented an inevitable goal after the Gretna forward had beaten goalkeeper Craig Gordon. He also scored during the penalty shootouts in the match with, what some critics called, the best penalty of the entire shootout.

It was announced on the Hearts Website, that Neilson would be inducted to the Show Racism the Red Card Hall of Fame for his work that he has done for the campign.

International caps

Robbie Neilson won his to date only Scotland cap in the 2-0 defeat to Ukraine in Kiev on October 11 2006.

Honours

*Scottish Cup: 2006
*Scottish Challenge Cup: 2002-03

References

External links

*
* [http://www.londonhearts.com/scores/players/neilsonrobbie.html Profile] at londonhearts.com

Persondata
NAME=Neilson, Robbie
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Scottish footballer
DATE OF BIRTH=June 19, 1980
PLACE OF BIRTH=Paisley, Scotland
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=