Paul Gallagher (born 8 September 1984) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in Glasgow, he played in the Premier League for Blackburn Rovers, and the Football League for Stoke City (two spells), Preston North End (four spells), Plymouth Argyle, Leicester City and Sheffield United. He scored 100 senior career goals in over 500 games and was capped once by the Scotland national team. Club career Blackburn Rovers Gallagher made his debut performance as a substitute in a 2–0 win over the 2001–02 Premier League champions Arsenal on 15 March 2003, as a replacement for Dwight Yorke. He scored his first goal in a 4–0 win over Birmingham City in the 2003–04 season. On 21 February 2004, in an away game against Charlton Athletic, Gallagher assisted goalkeeper Brad Friedel to his only career goal from open play in the 90th minute. Friedel's goal equalised the game at 2–2, but seconds later Charlton scored again through Claus Jensen and went on to win the match 3–2. Loan moves He spent almost all of the 2005–06 season on loan to Stoke City. He played most of his 36 games on the left or right wing, scoring 12 goals. Against Southampton on 15 April 2006, he exchanged a one-two on the edge of the area with Adam Rooney before drilling home a thunderous thirty yard drive into the far top corner of the net. He was recalled by Blackburn in April 2006 with three games remaining in the Premier League season, coming on as a late substitute in the final game of the season, being involved in the creation of the final goal of the game. On transfer deadline day 31 August 2007, Gallagher signed a six-month loan deal with Championship side Preston North End, after being linked with a return to Stoke. He scored once during his spell at Preston, scoring the winner in a 1–0 win over Sheffield Wednesday. The following January, he moved from Blackburn back to Stoke City on loan again until summer of 2008. Then-manager Tony Pulis however, was not impressed with Gallagher, remarking he "hasn't done as well as the other players." On 30 August 2008, Gallagher signed on loan for the rest of the 2008–09 season with Plymouth Argyle, making his debut that same day at Turf Moor against Burnley. Although Blackburn Rovers appointed Sam Allardyce as their new manager in