Kevin Gallacher

Club career

Gallacher started his Scottish League career with Dundee United, where he spent seven years as part of a successful team under the guidance of Jim McLean. He made his first team debut in December 1985 aged 19 years old in a UEFA Cup tie against Neuchâtel Xamax and three days later played against Rangers at Ibrox. He soon established himself in the side with his fast and penetrating wing play. He helped United reach the 1987 UEFA Cup final, scoring against Barcelona in the quarter-finals en route. United, however, lost on aggregate to IFK Göteborg. The following year, Gallacher scored Dundee United's goal in the 1988 Scottish Cup final, in the 2–1 defeat by Celtic. A week later he made his full international debut for Scotland against Colombia.

Gallacher moved to Coventry City in January 1990 for a transfer fee of £950,000 and became a fans favourite for three years. Having played for most of his career to date as a winger, Gallacher was used as a striker for most of his time at Highfield Road, and was the club's top scorer in seasons 1990–91 and 1991–92.

He then joined Blackburn Rovers in March 1993 for £1.5 million, as they looked to fill the gap up front left by the long-term injury absence of Alan Shearer. He made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut in a 4–1 win over Liverpool. However, two broken legs (the second sustained in his first game after the original injury) the following season restricted him to just one Premier League game in 1994–95 when Blackburn won the FA Premier League. He did score in that game, a 2–1 win against Crystal Palace.

Gallacher returned to full effectiveness in 1996–97, however, scoring 10 goals to help avoid a relegation scare. In 1997–98, he formed a potent partnership with Chris Sutton, scoring 16 goals himself as Blackburn finished 6th. However, injuries and inconsistencies meant he missed much of 1998–99, although he was the team's top goalscorer with five goals. Blackburn were relegated in 1999, just four seasons after having won the title.

Gallacher then moved to Newcastle United, becoming Bobby Robson's first signing as Newcastle manager. He was mostly used as a right winger, a role he adapted to well, and despite a lack of goals, was fairly popular with the Newcastle fans for his work rate.

Spells at Preston North End (where he scored twice against Kidderminster Harriers and Sheffield United), Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town followed before hanging up his boots in 2002, ending a career which had seen him score a total of 106 goals in 430 games in the English and Scottish leagues.

International career

Gallacher won 53 caps for Scotland and was in the squads for the Euro 92, Euro 96, and 1998 FIFA World Cup tournaments. He scored nine goals for his country, six of them in 1998 World Cup qualification, a significant contribution to the successful campaign which included perhaps his most famous international goals, a double against Austria at Celtic Park in 1997.

Media career

Gallacher has worked as a co-commentator and studio analyst for BBC Radio Lancashire, BBC Radio 5 Live, Sky Sports, Setanta Sports, BBC Scotland and Channel 5. In addition to this, he is also a columnist in the Lancashire Telegraph. In 2006, he published a book, Tartan Turmoil: The Fall & Rise of Scottish Football, a semi-autobiographical look at the problems faced by Scottish football. In 2010, he started working for ITV, commentating on FA Cup games.

Personal life

Gallacher is the grandson of the late Celtic forward Patsy Gallacher, who died before Kevin was born. His uncles Willie and Tommy were also footballers as is his niece Amy. The Gallachers are also related to another footballing branch of the family, John Divers and his son of the same name who both played for Celtic.{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/obituaries/obituary-john-divers-footballer-and-teacher-1-3550544|title=Obituary: John Divers, footballer and teacher |access-date=2 October 2017}}

Career statistics

Club

International

;Appearances

:Scores and results list Scotland's goal tally first

Honours

Dundee United

UEFA Cup: runners-up 1986–87

Blackburn Rovers

Premier League: 1994–95

Individual

Scottish FA International Roll of Honour: 2000

References

References

1. {{Hugman. 6961
2. Strack-Zimmermann, Benjamin. "Kevin Gallacher (Player)".
3. [https://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandu21/player.php?playerid=131 (Scotland U21 player) Gallacher, Kevin], Fitbastats
4. [https://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandb/player.php?playerid=80 (Scotland B player) Gallacher, Kevin], Fitbastats
5. Cryer, Andy. (3 July 2009). "Kevin Gallacher life story part 2: Growing up was tough as grandson of late great Patsy". This Is Lancashire.
6. "Dundee United A–Z ( G )". DundeeUnitedFC.co.uk.
7. "Kevin Gallacher". Scottish FA.
8. Phelps, Steve. (27 September 2012). "Kevin Gallacher – from Tannadice to the title via Highfield Road". Away From Home.
9. (13 May 1999). "Boom and bust the Blackburn way". BBC News.
10. Cryer, Andy. (3 July 2009). "Kevin Gallacher life story part 3: Kenny told me to shut my eyes during a drive through Blackburn". This Is Lancashire.
11. (3 July 2009). "Kevin Gallacher life story part 1: I never knew how lucky I was ... until surgeon told me the truth". Lancashire Telegraph.
12. Cryer, Andy. (3 July 2009). "Kevin Gallacher life story part 4: We should have built on Premier win". This Is Lancashire.
13. (21 August 2001). "Kidderminster 2–3 Preston". [[BBC]].
14. (24 October 2001). "Preston 3–0 Sheff Utd". [[BBC]].
15. [https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gallacher-the-brave-as-scots-defeat-austria-1.58650 Gallacher the brave as Scots defeat Austria], Irish Times, 3 April 1997
16. (6 October 2001). "Tommy Gallacher obituary". [[The Scotsman]].
17. "Kevin Gallacher Player Profile".
18. "Player search: Gallacher, KW (Kevin)".