Aaron Muirhead (born 30 August 1990)[1] is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Partick Thistle in the Scottish Championship. Muirhead has previously played for Annan Athletic, Partick Thistle and Falkirk, after progressing through Ayr United's youth academy.
 Muirhead with Thistle | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 30 August 1990 | ||
| Place of birth | Dumfries, Scotland | ||
| Position(s) | Centre Back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Partick Thistle | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Dalbeattie Star | |||
| Ayr United | |||
| Queen of the South | |||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2008–2012 | Annan Athletic | 92 | (9) |
| 2012–2014 | Partick Thistle | 55 | (7) |
| 2015–2019 | Falkirk | 110 | (10) |
| 2019–2022 | Ayr United | 84 | (9) |
| 2022– | Partick Thistle | 63 | (2) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 17:05, 27 April 2024 (UTC) | |||
Career
Muirhead started his career with Ayr United's youth academy, before signing for Annan Athletic in November 2008, going on to play in 127 matches and scoring 15 goals.[1][2] Muirhead signed for Partick Thistle in May 2012.[1][2]
Muirhead is the nephew of Davie Irons, who also played for the Firhill club.[2]
Partick Thistle
Muirhead signed for the Harry Wraggs during the 2012 close season from the Galabankies. In the 2013 Scottish Challenge Cup Final versus his home town club, Queen of the South, Muirhead missed a penalty in the defeat and was sent off for head butting Queens captain, Chris Higgins.[3] Muirhead received a four match suspension following this incident.[4]
Muirhead scored his first Premiership goal for newly promoted Partick Thistle in a 1–1 home draw with Hearts, scoring an 85th-minute penalty.[5] Muirhead then scored his second goal of the season with another penalty versus Kilmarnock in another 1–1 home draw.[6] Muirhead scored his third goal of the season, again with a penalty to make it 1–1 in a 4–1 defeat away to Dundee United.[7] Muirhead also scored a penalty in the Scottish League Cup win versus Cowdenbeath as the Harry Wraggs won 3-1 after extra time.[8]
Falkirk
After leaving Thistle by mutual consent, Muirhead signed for Falkirk in January 2015 alongside former Thistle team-mate Mark Kerr.[9] Muirhead departed the club on 23 January 2019, with his contract being terminated by mutual consent.[10]
Ayr United
On 24 January 2019, Muirhead signed for Ayr United on a contract until the end of the 2019–20 season.[11]
Partick Thistle (second spell)
Muirhead returned to Thistle during the 2022 close season.[12]
Muirhead scored his first goal on his return to Thistle, scoring the equaliser with a curling shot into the top corner in a league cup group stage game against Kilmarnock.[13]
Muirhead was part of the Thistle squad that made it to the Scottish Premiership play off final, which they eventually lost on penalties to Ross County, meaning Thistle remained in the Scottish Championship. Following this Muirhead signed a one year extension to his Thistle contract.[14]
Following the conclusion of the 2024–24 season, Muirhead triggered an appearance based contract extension, which added a year to his Thistle deal.[15]
Career statistics
- As of match played 11 May 2019
| Club | Season | League | Scottish Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Annan Athletic | 2008–09[16][17] | Scottish Third Division | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| 2009–10[18][19][20] | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3[a] | 0 | 28 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11[21][19][22][23] | 31 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5[b] | 2 | 41 | 5 | ||
| 2011–12[24][19] | 27 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3[a] | 1 | 34 | 9 | ||
| Total | 92 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 114 | 14 | ||
| Partick Thistle | 2012–13[25][19] | Scottish First Division | 30 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5[a] | 0 | 39 | 4 |
| 2013–14[26] | Scottish Premiership | 20 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 21 | 4 | ||
| 2014–15[27] | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 6 | 0 | |||
| Total | 55 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 66 | 8 | ||
| Falkirk | 2014–15[27] | Scottish Championship | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 2015–16[28][19] | 31 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 6[c] | 0 | 42 | 1 | ||
| 2016–17[29] | 26 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2[d] | 0 | 31 | 4 | ||
| 2017–18[30] | 33 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3[a] | 0 | 43 | 7 | ||
| 2018–19[31] | 17 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2[a] | 0 | 23 | 1 | ||
| Total | 110 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 12 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 144 | 13 | ||
| Ayr United | 2018–19[31] | Scottish Championship | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2[e] | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Career total | 266 | 26 | 19 | 3 | 19 | 3 | 31 | 3 | 335 | 35 | ||
Honours
- Partick Thistle