Grant Gillespie (footballer)
Introduction '''Grant Gillespie''' (born 2 July 1991) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Greenock Morton. He has previously played for Hamilton Academical, Dundee United, Raith Rovers, Derry City, Ayr United and Queen's Park.
Career ===Hamilton Academical===Gillespie made his senior debut for Hamilton Academical on 15 August 2009, in a Scottish Premier League match against Kilmarnock. In May 2011, he signed a new two-year contract with Hamilton.In May 2012, Gillespie urged manager Billy Reid to make him a first-team regular for the forthcoming 2012–13 season. In January 2012, after making an "impact" as a substitute in the previous game, Gillespie spoke publicly about his desire to start the team's next match. In February 2013, he commented that he wanted a win in the upcoming derby against Airdrieonians. In April 2013, Gillespie signed a new two-year contract with the club.In August 2013 Gillespie stated that the team needed to "dig in and grind out results" in the season ahead. In October 2014 he signed a new contract with the club, to last until the summer of 2018.Gillespie left the club in January 2018.===Dundee United===Gillespie signed a short-term contract with Dundee United. He was released by the club at the end of his contract in May 2018.===Raith Rovers===Gillespie signed with League One club Raith Rovers in June 2018.===Derry City===In July 2019 he signed for Derry City. After making 10 appearances, scoring 1 goal, he left in January 2020.===Ayr United===In January 2020 he returned to Scotland, signing for Ayr United until the end of their season.===Queen's Park===In August 2020 he signed for Queen's Park, before leaving in 2022.===Greenock Morton===In June 2022 he signed for Greenock Morton. Gillespie was named club captain by manager Dougie Imrie, and made his first competitive appearance against Hibernian in the League Cup Group Stage. Gillespie would score 2 times in this group, against Hibernian and Bonnyrigg Rose respectively. Gillespie would continue his positive start to life at Morton by scoring in the first league game of the season against his former club Hamilton.Following an impressive first half of the season, scoring 7 goals in 2022 for Morton (5 of which coming from the penalty spot), Gillespie signed a contract extension on New Year's Day, keeping him at the club until summer 2024.Gillespie would conclude the season with a total of 11 goals.
Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsHamilton Academical2009–10Scottish Premier League100000—102010–111701010—1902011–12Scottish First Division1601010101902012–133212120003622013–14Scottish Championship3311020504112014–15Scottish Premiership3601040—4102015–163011000—3112016–173114050104112017–18300040—70 Hamilton Academical Total1994111190702365Dundee United2017–18Scottish Championship6010000070Raith Rovers2018–19Scottish League One272303120353Derry City2019League of Ireland Premier Division812020—121Ayr United (loan)2019–20Scottish Championship0000——00Career total2407171241902909
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