Product Code Database
Barry Gordon George Robson (born 7 November 1978) is a Scottish professional football manager and former player. Robson played as a midfielder for several clubs in Scotland, England and Canada and represented Scotland internationally. He is currently the manager of League of Ireland First Division club Cork City.
Robson began his career as a youth player with Rangers before spells with Inverness Caledonian Thistle, Dundee United and finally Celtic in his native Scotland. A move to England followed, where he spent two and a half years with Middlesbrough. Robson then moved to Canada to play for MLS side Vancouver Whitecaps FC before returning to England after one season to sign for Sheffield United. Robson then returned to Scotland, joining Aberdeen in summer 2013. He retired from professional football in 2016 after three seasons there.
After retiring as player, Robson took a coaching position with Aberdeen. After a run of good results in his second stint as their interim manager, Robson became Aberdeen manager in 2023. He was sacked a year later.
Robson appeared 17 times for Scotland between 2007 and 2012.
Robson started the 2006–07 season as United captain and scored against Falkirk on the opening day of the season. He made his 100th league appearance for United in the game against St Mirren in late August, scoring twice in a 3–1 win but also being sent off late in the match. In February 2007, Robson signed a new contract until 2011, with his first career hat-trick following in March in a 4–0 away win against Hearts. With 11 goals by mid-March, Robson finished the season as the league's top-scoring midfielder, four ahead of Rangers' Charlie Adam.
The following season, Robson managed an even better ratio, scoring 12 from 24 games in all competitions at the point of leaving United. With 11 league goals, Robson was second top scorer in the league, one ahead of colleague Noel Hunt. Six of his goals came in January 2008, including a second hat-trick against Hearts in less than a year.
Robson made his Celtic debut on 10 February against Aberdeen, scoring with his first touch of the ball, a free-kick into the bottom corner of the goal. He scored his second goal for Celtic on his Champions League debut against FC Barcelona. An assist from Aiden McGeady allowed Robson to loop a header over Víctor Valdés, to put Celtic ahead, though they eventually lost 3–2. On 27 April, Robson scored his first Old Firm goal, converting a penalty which was the winning goal. On 10 August, Robson again scored from a penalty kick, this time against St Mirren, the opening goal of Celtic's league campaign for the 2008–09 season, in a 1–0 victory for Celtic. Robson's final game for Celtic was against Old Firm rivals Rangers.
Robson scored the quickest ever goal at the Riverside on 8 September 2010 against Reading, netting after just 24 seconds in a game which Middlesbrough went on to win 3–1.
Robson scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season in a 3–1 victory over Barnsley on 16 August 2011. On 21 August 2011, he scored the equaliser from a free kick in Middlesbrough's 3–1 win over Birmingham City. He followed this, three days later, by hitting his team's opener after four minutes in a 2–0 victory over Peterborough United in the second round of the League Cup. Robson's fine goal scoring form continued with a goal against Millwall and two against Doncaster to help extend Middlesbrough's strong start to the season. Robson scored a goal from 35 yards in the 87th minute, to give Middlesbrough a vital 1–0 home victory over Hull City on 26 December 2011. On 29 January 2012, Robson scored a left footed volley against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. This forced an FA Cup fourth round replay at the Riverside Stadium. Following an injury to club captain Matthew Bates, Robson was giving the captain's armband until the end of his final season at the Riverside. In April, Robson was announced as the Player of the Year by the Middlesbrough Supporters' Club for the 2011–12 season. On 28 April 2012, Robson played in a 2–1 loss against Watford on the last day of the season, setting up Marvin Emnes for Boro's solitary goal. It was his final game for Middlesbrough.
On 16 March 2014, Robson was in the Aberdeen side that beat Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4–2 on penalties to win the 2014 Scottish League Cup final. Robson was among the Aberdeen players to score during the shoot-out. He signed a new one-year contract with Aberdeen on 15 May 2014. Robson retired from professional football at the end of the 2015–16 season; he then took up a coaching position with Aberdeen.
Robson played in the Scotland Future team in March 2006. In August 2007, Robson received his first full international call-up when selected for the friendly against South Africa, making his début as a second-half substitute. He was subsequently called up for the following squad in September 2007 for the double-header against Lithuania and France but failed to make an appearance.
In September 2008, Robson was credited with his first international goal in the 2010 World Cup qualifying victory against Iceland in unusual circumstances. After James McFadden's second-half penalty kick was saved, both players chased the rebound. Though it appeared that McFadden touched the ball over the line, the goal was officially awarded to Robson. The SFA lobbied on McFadden's behalf, and in March 2009 FIFA re-credited the goal to McFadden.
Robson was again put in caretaker charge of Aberdeen in January 2023, following the sacking of Jim Goodwin. Aberdeen confirmed on 29 March that Robson would continue as manager at least until the end of the 2022–23 season. Following a run of seven consecutive wins that pushed Aberdeen into third place in the 2022–23 Scottish Premiership, Robson signed a two-year contract to continue as manager on 1 May 2023.
On 31 January 2024, Robson was sacked by Aberdeen with the team sitting eighth in the 2023–24 Scottish Premiership.
On 11 November 2025, Robson was sacked by Raith Rovers. Robson left the club after a run of four defeats in six matches, which put them in sixth place in the 2025–26 Scottish Championship.
Aberdeen
Individual
Middlesbrough
Robson left Celtic in January 2010 and joined his former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan at Middlesbrough along with teammates Willo Flood, Scott McDonald and Chris Killen. He was sent off on his home debut against Bristol City. He captained Middlesbrough against Peterborough United standing in for injured Gary O'Neil, and scored his first goal for the club in the seventh minute. His form continued as he scored two penalties against QPR on 27 February at the Riverside. He scored again in the Tyne-Tees derby against Newcastle on 13 March. Three days later he scored against Derby County at Pride Park.
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
In February 2012 Robson agreed to a three-year contract with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC as one of their two available Designated Players. Robson made his Whitecaps debut in a 1–0 away victory against the Colorado Rapids, and in his home debut, scored his first goal for the club in a 2–2 draw with Los Angeles Galaxy. Robson finished the season having played 18 times for Vancouver and scoring three goals. With the Whitecaps returning for pre-season training in January 2013, they announced they had mutually agreed to terminate Robson's contract to enable him to return to the UK, citing the inability of his family to settle in Canada.
Sheffield United
On the last day of January 2013 transfer window Robson returned to England, signing a short-term contract with Sheffield United for the remainder of the season, taking the vacant number 19 shirt. Robson made his debut for the Blades the following day, as a substitute in a 2–1 home defeat against Coventry City, providing an assist with his first touch of the ball in a Blades shirt, setting up Dave Kitson's goal from a corner kick. His first goal for the Blades came in his first start for the club, netting from the penalty spot in a 3–0 win over Colchester United a few weeks later. Robson played regularly for the remainder of the season but with the Blades failing to gain promotion they opted not to offer him a new deal when his contract expired. Robson left United having made eighteen appearances and scored two goals.
Aberdeen
In June 2013, Robson signed a pre-contract agreement with his home town club Aberdeen, and made his debut in their first game of the season, a 2–1 victory over Kilmarnock. Robson scored two goals to help Aberdeen beat Inverness CT in a thrilling 4–3 encounter during the festive period. Robson also netted for the dons with a penalty against Dundee United which leveled the game at 1–1 before Peter Pawlett netted in stoppage time to seal all three points for Aberdeen. Robson also found the net directly from a corner kick in a match against St Mirren which Aberdeen went on to win 2–0.
International career
Robson won a call-up to the Scotland B team for the first time in December 2005, alongside fellow Dundee United player Mark Kerr.
Coaching career
Aberdeen
On 14 February 2022, Robson was appointed as caretaker manager of Aberdeen following the sacking of Stephen Glass, being temporarily promoted from his role with the U18s. Robson oversaw one match during his interim spell in charge, a 1–1 draw with St Johnstone, before the club made the permanent appointment of Jim Goodwin.
Raith Rovers
On 29 December 2024 Robson was announced as the new manager of Scottish Championship side Raith Rovers on a two and a half year deal. Robson was Rovers' third manager of the season following the dismissal of Ian Murray just one league game in to the season and his replacement Neill Collins leaving for Sacramento Republic after 15 games in charge.
Cork City
On 11 January 2026, Robson was announced as manager of recently relegated League of Ireland First Division club Cork City on a two-year-contract.
Career statistics
Club
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and year Scotland 0 0 0 0 0 0
Managerial statistics
Honours
Celtic
External links
Categories: 1978 Births, People From Inverurie, Footballers From Aberdeenshire, Living People, Men's Association Football Midfielders, Scottish Men's Footballers, Scottish Expatriate Men's Footballers, Scotland Men's B International Footballers, Scotland Men's International Footballers, Rangers F.c. Players, Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.c. Players, Forfar Athletic F.c. Players, Dundee United F.c. Players, Celtic F.c. Players, Middlesbrough F.c. Players, Vancouver Whitecaps Fc Players, Sheffield United F.c. Players, Aberdeen F.c. Players, Expatriate Men's Soccer Players In Canada, Scottish Expatriate Sportspeople In Canada, Scottish Premier League Players, Scottish Football League Players, English Football League Players, Major League Soccer Players, Designated Players, Scottish Professional Football League Players, Aberdeen F.c. Non-playing Staff, Scottish Professional Football League Managers, Aberdeen F.c. Managers, Raith Rovers F.c. Managers, Cork City F.c. Managers, League Of Ireland Managers
|
|
