 MacLean as aSheffield Wednesday player in 2007 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Steven George MacLean | ||
| Date of birth | (1982-08-23)23 August 1982 (age 43) | ||
| Place of birth | Edinburgh, Scotland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)[1] | ||
| Position | Forward[2] | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2002–2004 | Rangers | 3 | (0) |
| 2003–2004 | →Scunthorpe United (loan) | 42 | (23) |
| 2004–2007 | Sheffield Wednesday | 83 | (32) |
| 2007–2008 | Cardiff City | 15 | (1) |
| 2008–2011 | Plymouth Argyle | 48 | (5) |
| 2010 | →Aberdeen (loan) | 16 | (5) |
| 2010–2011 | →Oxford United (loan) | 31 | (6) |
| 2011–2012 | Yeovil Town | 20 | (3) |
| 2012 | →Cheltenham Town (loan) | 3 | (1) |
| 2012–2018 | St Johnstone | 171 | (47) |
| 2018–2020 | Heart of Midlothian | 35 | (4) |
| 2020 | →Raith Rovers (loan) | 6 | (2) |
| Total | 473 | (129) | |
| International career | |||
| 2002 | Scotland U21 | 4 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 2023 | St Johnstone | ||
| 2025 | Queen's Park (interim) | ||
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Steven George MacLean (born 23 August 1982) is a Scottish professionalfootball coach and former player who was most recently the interim head coach ofScottish Championship clubQueen's Park.
MacLean played as aforward forRangers,Scunthorpe United,Sheffield Wednesday,Cardiff City,Plymouth Argyle,Aberdeen,Oxford United,Yeovil Town,Cheltenham Town,St Johnstone,Heart of Midlothian andRaith Rovers. He also represented theScotland national under-21 football team.
MacLean retired from playing in 2020 and became a coach with St Johnstone. He was their manager for six months during 2023.
Steven George MacLean was born on 23 August 1982 inEdinburgh.[2] He began his senior football career atRangers, followed by aloan spell atThird Division outfitScunthorpe United, scoring 25 goals. Despite this, Rangers managerAlex McLeish deemed that he was not "a first team prospect" and placed him on thetransfer list.[3]
On 7 July 2004, MacLean joinedFootball League One clubSheffield Wednesday for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around £125,000, and signed a three-year deal.[4]
He scored 20 goals in hisfirst season, including ahat-trick against fellowSouth Yorkshire sideDoncaster Rovers, Wednesday's first away hat-trick for 32 years.[citation needed] He was the first Sheffield Wednesday player to hit the 20 goal mark in one season sinceMark Bright in 1994. He also scored a crucialpenalty under pressure in theplay-off final to level the scores at 2–2. Wednesday went on to defeat their opponentsHartlepool United 4–2 after extra time.
MacLean sustained a broken leg on the eve of the club'sChampionship campaign in August 2005, but returned in the latter part of theseason to score two penalties for Wednesday, first at home torival clubSheffield United in a 2–1 defeat and then against league championsReading, which earned the Owls a 1–1 draw.
MacLean sustained another injury setback in August 2006 after scoring in a 1–1 draw againstBurnley, but made a comeback a month later in the defeat toDerby County. He finished the2006–07 season with 13 goals from 22 first team starts and 22 substitute appearances, making him the club's joint top goal scorer for the season withDeon Burton and showing signs of returning to the form in which he played with in the 2004–05 season.
On 22 June 2007, it was announced that MacLean had signed for Sheffield Wednesday's Championship rivalsCardiff City, after failing to agree a new contract atHillsborough.[5] The move was a surprise to many Owls fans as MacLean was rumoured to have declared his willingness and desire to remain at the club. Speculation arose during the prolonged contract-talks with Wednesday that MacLean was demanding a significant pay-rise from that of his previous contract. It is possible that another stumbling block which prevented Sheffield Wednesday renewing MacLean's contract, was a clause in his contract which would grant former club Rangers £50,000 if he re-signed.[6]
MacLean beganthe season as Cardiff's leading striker afterRobbie Fowler was deemed not fit enough to play in some of the team's opening games. Famous for having never missed a penalty in his career, he came to Cardiff to miss one on his debut, leaving his new club to lose 1–0 toStoke City in the first game of the season.[7] He scored his first goal for the Bluebirds in the next game away toQueens Park Rangers, as Cardiff won 2–0.[8] However, with Fowler soon returning and the arrival ofJimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, MacLean found himself relegated to the bench. Things continued to get worse for him as he suffered ruptured ankle ligaments in a reserve match againstPlymouth Argyle, which was expected to rule him out until December.[9] However, he made an early return coming on as a substitute in a 1–0 loss toSouthampton on 21 October 2007. After his return, he made mostly late substitute appearances, with just three starts for Cardiff – in a 2–0 defeat againstCharlton Athletic, a 2–2 draw withWatford, and a 3–1 win againstChasetown in theFA Cup.
After finding himself out of favour at Cardiff, MacLean signed a three-and-a-half-year deal withPlymouth Argyle on 18 January 2008, reuniting with former Sheffield Wednesday managerPaul Sturrock. The fee of £500,000 was a record signing for Argyle.[10] He made his debut for the club the next day in a 1–1 draw againstSouthampton and scored his first goal for the club on 12 February in the sixth minute againstBarnsley in a 3–0 win atHome Park. MacLean failed to gel into the team and an attitude problem combined with a lack of goals angered the fans. In October 2009 Maclean was informed by Plymouth manager Sturrock that he was free to look for a new club. On 28 December, MacLean joinedScottish Premier League sideHeart of Midlothian on trial.[11] He swiftly left again asVladimir Romanov refused to finance a move.
After a month of speculation, MacLean finally signed forAberdeen on loan until the end ofthe 2009–10 season on 1 February 2010. He scored his first goal for Aberdeen in a 2–2 draw withHibernian on 10 February 2010 and scored a brace in his next match, a 4–4 draw withCeltic atPittodrie on 13 February 2010,[12] bringing his tally to three goals in three league games for the Dons. By the time his loan at Aberdeen had finished, MacLean had made 16 appearances and scored 5 goals.
On 11 November 2010, MacLean signed forOxford United on loan.[13] He scored his first goal for Oxford in a 2–1 win against league leaders at the timeChesterfield on 23 November. On 19 January 2011, MacLean signed an extension to his current loan deal to play for 'The U's' for the rest ofthe season. After finished his spell at Oxford United, MacLean made 31 appearances and scoring 6 goals.
Released by Plymouth at the end ofthe season,[14] MacLean sought out other clubs and went on trial withYeovil Town in July 2011.[15] On 26 July 2011, MacLean officially joined Yeovil Town on a one-year deal.[16] On Town's first match for the2011–12 season, MacLean made his Yeovil debut in a 2–0 loss againstBrentford. Also, on his debut, MacLean received a yellow card in the third minute.[17] On 9 September 2011, MacLean and scored his first goals for Yeovil in a 4–3 loss againstPreston. He also scored in a cup tie withAFC Bournemouth, also setting upMax Ehmer later in the game. His next goal was in a 3–2 defeat away toBury, but his celebration was said to be a gesture towards new managerGary Johnson. The incident was subject to an internal enquiry by the club and could have led to MacLean'scontract being terminated, but two days late Johnson said that he was satisfied the gesture was just an "over-exuberant" celebration.
After Yeovil's game againstCarlisle United, Johnson explained that he had received an approach from Robins managerMark Yates, and with MacLean struggling to get minutes on the pitch at present, the Glovers boss toldBBC Somerset that he could see it as suiting all parties. On 22 March 2012, it was confirmed that MacLean had completed a loan move toCheltenham Town until the end ofthe season. He scored his first and only goal for Cheltenham in a 2–1 win at former club Plymouth Argyle on 5 May 2012.[18]
MacLean signed a short-term contract with SPL clubSt Johnstone on 1 September 2012,[19] making his debut as a late substitute in a 2–1 win over Celtic on 15 September. He scored his first goals for the club with a brace againstQueen's Park in theScottish League Cup on 25 September.[20] Four days later, MacLean scored his first league goal in a 3–1 win overDundee. However, he suffered a dislocated elbow during the match and was out of action for about six weeks[21] He marked his recovery from injury,[22] in a 1–1 draw againstInverness Caledonian Thistle on 27 October. The following month, MacLean signed a contract extension, keeping him at the club until the end of 2014.[23] MacLean ended a run of seven games without scoring in a 2–2 draw against Hearts on 15 December 2012.[24] Later in the season, MacLean was a regular in the first team, though his goalscoring form dropped, as he was used in more of a supporting role.
In the2013–14 season, MacLean was included for four matches in the Europa League match and in the first leg of theirEuropa League third qualifying round tie, he scored his first European goal, in a 1–0 win over Belarus sideMinsk.[25] However, the next leg, Minsk equalised, leading toextra time and then topenalty shoot-out. MacLean's penalty was saved, eliminating St Johnstone from the Europa League.[26] After the match, MacLean quoted"I tried to go for power [with my penalty] but the keeper has guessed right"[27] In the newly foundedScottish Premiership at the top of theScottish Professional Football League, MacLean scored four goals between late September and mid-October againstPartick Thistle, Inverness Caledonian Thistle andSt Mirren. Unfortunately, MacLean had an operation on his knee after an injury sustained against St Mirren and was expected to be out for three months.[28]
After four months out, MacLean made his return for the club, scoring twice in a 3–0 win overMotherwell on 25 February 2014.[29] He remained in the first team for the remainder of the season and signed a contract extension to keep him for the next two years.[30] Weeks after signing a new deal, MacLean started in theScottish Cup final, alongside his striking partner,Stevie May. With ten minutes remaining and St Johnstone winning 1–0, MacLean scored the second goal in the final after"he slid in to challengeCierzniak before turning the ball over the line while grounded." In his celebrations, MacLean removed his shirt, resulting a yellow card.[31] After the match, MacLean spoke that the scoring the goal was an incredible feeling and had no regrets of removing his shirt, insisting it was worth it.[32]
On 24 July 2014, MacLean made amends for his missed penalty in the Europa League a year earlier by emphatically scoring the first penalty in the Europa League 2nd Round Qualifier againstFC Luzern atMcDiarmid Park, after the match finished 1–1, 2–2 on aggregate, with MacLean scoring for the Saints in the first leg a week earlier in Switzerland.[33][34] MacLean scored his first league goal ofthe season, in the opening game of the season, in a 2–1 win overRoss County.[35] Weeks later on 23 August 2014, MacLean scored his second goal of the season, in a 1–0 win over Aberdeen.[36] However, MacLean suffered a knee injury after an operation, which kept him out for four months.[37] After making his return to training,[38] MacLean made his return to the first team, in a 2–1 win overDundee United on 27 December 2014.[39] InDave Mackay's absence, MacLean wascaptain for the match against Aberdeen, a 1–1 draw on 23 January 2015.[40] Unable to recuperate scoring goals throughout the season, MacLean, nevertheless, helped the club qualify for the Europa League for2015–16: the third year running.
MacLean scored a hat-trick in his final appearance for St Johnstone, a 5–1 win against Motherwell on 5 May 2018.[41]
MacLean signed a pre-contract agreement with Hearts in April 2018.[42] He joined theEdinburgh club on a two-year contract during the 2018 close season.[42] MacLean scored on his debut for Hearts on 18 July 2018 in a 2–1 victory atCove Rangers in the Scottish League Cup.[43] He played in the2019 Scottish Cup final, a 2–1 defeat at the hands of Celtic.[44]
MacLean retired at the end of 2019–20 season to become a first-team coach forSt Johnstone.[45] He became interim manager of St Johnstone in April 2023, following the departure ofCallum Davidson.[46] An improved run of results meant that Saints avoided relegation in2022–23, and MacLean then became their manager on a permanent basis.[47] MacLean was sacked by St Johnstone on 29 October 2023, after a run of nine games without a win left them bottom of the2023–24 Scottish Premiership table.[48][49]
MacLean joinedQueen's Park in June 2024 as an assistant toCallum Davidson. He had a stint as caretaker manager towards the end of the 2024–25 season, after Davidson was sacked, and he left the club at the end of the season.[50]
Although never capped by thesenior team, MacLean represented Scotland at various age levels.[51]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rangers | 2002–03[52] | Scottish Premier League | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2003–04[53] | Scottish Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Scunthorpe United (loan) | 2003–04[53] | Third Division | 42 | 23 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3[a] | 1 | 52 | 25 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 2004–05[54] | League One | 36 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2[b] | 2 | 41 | 20 |
| 2005–06[55] | Championship | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 6 | 2 | ||
| 2006–07[56] | Championship | 41 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 43 | 13 | ||
| Total | 83 | 32 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 90 | 35 | ||
| Cardiff City | 2007–08[57] | Championship | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 18 | 1 | |
| Plymouth Argyle | 2007–08[57] | Championship | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 17 | 3 | |
| 2008–09[58] | Championship | 21 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 23 | 2 | ||
| 2009–10[59] | Championship | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2010–11[60] | League One | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 1 | 9 | 1 | |
| Total | 48 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 53 | 6 | ||
| Aberdeen (loan) | 2009–10[59] | Scottish Premier League | 16 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 5 |
| Oxford United (loan) | 2010–11[60] | League Two | 31 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 6 |
| Yeovil Town | 2011–12[61] | League One | 20 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1[a] | 1 | 24 | 4 |
| Cheltenham Town (loan) | 2011–12[61] | League Two | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| St Johnstone | 2012–13[62] | Scottish Premier League | 31 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 8 |
| 2013–14[63] | Scottish Premiership | 21 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4[c] | 1 | 29 | 10 | |
| 2014–15[64] | Scottish Premiership | 24 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4[c] | 1 | 28 | 3 | |
| 2015–16[65] | Scottish Premiership | 33 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2[c] | 0 | 39 | 15 | |
| 2016–17[66] | Scottish Premiership | 32 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | — | 39 | 12 | ||
| 2017–18[67] | Scottish Premiership | 30 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2[c] | 0 | 33 | 9 | |
| Total | 171 | 47 | 8 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 12 | 2 | 203 | 57 | ||
| Heart of Midlothian | 2018–19[68] | Scottish Premiership | 25 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 3 | — | 35 | 7 | |
| 2019–20[69] | Scottish Premiership | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | — | 16 | 2 | ||
| Total | 35 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 51 | 9 | ||
| Raith Rovers (loan) | 2019–20[69] | Scottish League One | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1[d] | 0 | 7 | 2 |
| Career total | 473 | 129 | 27 | 5 | 34 | 10 | 20 | 7 | 554 | 151 | ||
| Team | Nat | From | To | Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % | ||||
| St Johnstone |  | 22 April 2023 | 29 October 2023 | 19 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 021.05 |
| Queen's Park | | 16 March 2025 | 2 May 2025 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 000.00 |
| Career total | 27 | 4 | 9 | 14 | 014.81 | |||
Rangers
Sheffield Wednesday
St Johnstone
Queen's Park
