.jpg) McGovern playing forNorthern Ireland in 2019 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael McGovern[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1984-07-12)12 July 1984 (age 41) | ||
| Place of birth | Enniskillen, Northern Ireland | ||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)[2] | ||
| Position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Queen's Park (goalkeeping coach) | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2001 | Enniskillen Town United | ||
| 2001–2004 | Celtic | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2004–2008 | Celtic | 0 | (0) |
| 2005 | →Stranraer (loan) | 19 | (0) |
| 2006 | →St Johnstone (loan) | 1 | (0) |
| 2008–2009 | Dundee United | 0 | (0) |
| 2009–2011 | Ross County | 71 | (0) |
| 2011–2014 | Falkirk | 105 | (0) |
| 2014–2016 | Hamilton Academical | 75 | (0) |
| 2016–2023 | Norwich City | 32 | (0) |
| 2023–2024 | Heart of Midlothian | 0 | (0) |
| 2024 | →Livingston (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| Total | 306 | (0) | |
| International career | |||
| Northern Ireland U19 | 3 | (0) | |
| 2005–2006 | Northern Ireland U21 | 10 | (0) |
| 2010–2020 | Northern Ireland | 32 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Michael McGovern (born 12 July 1984) is a Northern Irish former professionalfootballer who played as agoalkeeper. He has represented theNorthern Ireland national team at international level and is currently goalkeeping coach atScottish Championship clubQueen's Park.
Born inEnniskillen, McGovern started his career withScottish Premier League clubCeltic in 2001. He spent time on loan withScottish Second Division sideStranraer in 2005 and withScottish First Division sideSt Johnstone in 2006. He left Celtic in 2008, having never made a first-team appearance for the club. After leaving Celtic, he joined fellow Scottish Premier League sideDundee United, but left after one season having not made a first-team appearance. In 2009, he went back to the First Division withRoss County, where he enjoyed a successful two-year spell. In 2011, he moved on a free transfer to fellow First Division sideFalkirk. McGovern then moved toHamilton Academical in 2014. After spending 15 years playing in Scotland, he moved to English club Norwich City in July 2016.
McGovern represented Northern Ireland atunder-19 andunder-21 levels, before making his senior debut in May 2010. He represented Northern Ireland atUEFA Euro 2016.
McGovern joinedCeltic in July 2001 from hometown junior clubEnniskillen Town United. His first involvement with the first-team squad was as a substitute at theCamp Nou during Celtic'sUEFA Cup match againstBarcelona in March 2004.[3][4] In January 2005, McGovern joinedStranraer on loan.[5] He joinedSt Johnstone on a one-month emergency loan in December 2006.[6] While at Celtic, he managed to pick up aScottish Cup winners medal in2004[7] and2007,[8] both times as an unused substitute.
On 17 June 2008, McGovern agreed a pre-contract move toDundee United, signing a one-year deal.[9] He failed to make a first-team appearance for United and managerCraig Levein confirmed McGovern's departure in May 2009.[10]
McGovern moved toRoss County in late June 2009[11] and enjoyed a successful first season.[12] This included playing in the2010 Scottish Cup Final, which Ross County lost 3–0 to McGovern's former club Dundee United,[13] and making his full international debut.[14]
In his second season at the club, McGovern saved two penalties in a 4–3 penalty shoot-out win againstPartick Thistle in theScottish Challenge Cup semi-final on 10 October 2010.[15] He played in thefinal on 10 April 2011, as Ross County lifted the trophy after a 2–0 win againstQueen of the South atMcDiarmid Park.[16] McGovern leftRoss County at the end of the2010–11 Scottish First Division season.[17]
After leaving Ross County, McGovern joined up with St Johnstone for pre-season training[18] before he signed forFalkirk on 20 July 2011.[19] He quickly established himself as first choice goalkeeper and on 21 September 2011, played in Falkirk's 3–2Scottish League Cup win over holdersRangers.[20] On 1 April 2012, he played for Falkirk in their 1–0 win overHamilton in the2012 Scottish Challenge Cup Final.[21] At the end of the season he won the Falkirk Players' Player of the Year award and Falkirk Supporters Club Player of the Year award. He was among four players nominated for thePFA Scotland First Division Player of the Year award and he was named in thePFA Scotland 2012–13 First Division Team of the Year.[22] On 17 May 2012, he signed a new one-year contract.[23]
McGovern was named Falkirk Players' Player of the Year for the second year in succession at the end of the2012–13 season.[24] He signed a new one-year deal at Falkirk on 24 June 2013[25] and was appointed club captain upon the departure ofDarren Dods. On 18 April 2014, McGovern was named in thePFA Scotland 2013–14 Championship Team of the Year.[26]
On 9 June 2014, McGovern signed forScottish Premiership clubHamilton Academical on a one-year contract.[27] He made his debut on 2 August 2014, in a 2–1 win againstArbroath in theScottish League Cup.[28] On 5 October 2014, he played in Hamilton Academical's 1–0 victory over Celtic, which was their first victory atCeltic Park in 76 years.[29] During September and October 2014, McGovern set a club record of 437 minutes without conceding a goal in the Scottish top flight.[30] On 28 November 2014, he extended his contract at Hamilton Academical by a further year, until 2016.[31] In January 2015, McGovern became club captain after the incumbentMartin Canning was promoted to manager followingAlex Neil's departure to Norwich City.[32]
On 19 July 2016, it was revealed that McGovern had signed forChampionship clubNorwich City on a three-year deal.[33] He made his debut on 13 August 2016, replacingJohn Ruddy at half-time in Norwich City's 0–0 draw withSheffield Wednesday.[34] Throughout his time at Norwich, McGovern played a crucial role within the squad, contributing significantly to the team's success and stability.
Premier League Appearances: McGovern made his Premier League debut during the 2019–20 season in a match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, becoming Norwich City's oldest Premier League debutant.
Championship Winners Medals: McGovern was an integral part of the Norwich City squad that secured promotion to the Premier League by winning the EFL Championship in both the 2018–19 and 2020–21 seasons.
2018-19 Season: Although McGovern's appearances were limited during the 2018–19 season, his presence in the squad contributed to a strong team dynamic, helping Norwich clinch the Championship title.
2020-21 Season: The 2020–21 season saw McGovern play a number of key games, making significant contributions to the team's success. He stepped in as the starting goalkeeper following injuries to the first-choice keeper Tim Krul and performed admirably, helping Norwich maintain their strong form. Unfortunately, an injury later in the season sidelined him, but his earlier performances were crucial in Norwich's eventual promotion.
McGovern's tenure at Norwich City highlighted his reliability and professionalism, both on the field during critical moments and off the field as a mentor to younger players.
McGovern would then return to Scotland, signing a one-year deal withHeart of Midlothian in the summer of 2023.[35] In January 2024 he would joinedLivingston on loan until the end of the season.[36] He was released by Hearts at the end of the season.[37]
Following his retirement as a player, McGovern took up the position of goalkeeping coach withQueen's Park.[38] He left Queen's at the end of the 2024–25 season.[39]
In March 2008, McGovern received his first call-up to theNorthern Ireland squad.[40] McGovern made his full debut for Northern Ireland on 31 May 2010, in a 1–0 loss toChile. He came on at half-time forAlan Blayney and made a "stunning" save from a long-range effort byMarco Estrada.[41]
McGovern became the number one goalkeeper for Northern Ireland, helping them qualify forEuro 2016 as qualifying group winners.
McGovern's performances during Euro 2016 were outstanding, particularly in the group stage match against Germany. He received plaudits for a series of "heroic saves" that restricted Germany to a 1–0 win during the group stages of the Euro 2016 finals on 21 June 2016, keeping Northern Ireland's goal difference down and helping them qualify for the knockout round of 16.[42]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Celtic | 2003–04 | Scottish Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |
| 2004–05 | Scottish Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2005–06 | Scottish Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2006–07 | Scottish Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2007–08 | Scottish Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Stranraer (loan) | 2004–05 | Scottish Second Division | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
| St Johnstone (loan) | 2006–07 | Scottish First Division | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Dundee United | 2008–09 | Scottish Premier League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Ross County | 2009–10 | Scottish First Division | 35 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 4[a] | 0 | 49 | 0 | |
| 2010–11 | Scottish First Division | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 5[a] | 0 | 47 | 0 | ||
| Total | 71 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | 9 | 0 | 96 | 0 | |||
| Falkirk | 2011–12 | Scottish First Division | 35 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | 5[a] | 0 | 47 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | Scottish First Division | 35 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — | 2[a] | 0 | 43 | 0 | ||
| 2013–14 | Scottish Championship | 35 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | — | 6[b] | 0 | 45 | 0 | ||
| Total | 105 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 0 | — | 13 | 0 | 135 | 0 | |||
| Hamilton Academical | 2014–15 | Scottish Premiership | 38 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 43 | 0 | ||
| 2015–16 | Scottish Premiership | 37 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 0 | |||
| Total | 75 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 82 | 0 | ||||
| Norwich City | 2016–17 | Championship | 20 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 22 | 0 | ||
| 2017–18 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2018–19 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 5 | 0 | |||
| 2019–20 | Premier League | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 3 | 0 | |||
| 2020–21 | Championship | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 10 | 0 | |||
| 2021–22 | Premier League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2022–23 | Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 32 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 42 | 0 | ||||
| Career total | 303 | 0 | 24 | 0 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 375 | 0 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Ireland | 2010 | 1 | 0 |
| 2015 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2016 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2018 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2020 | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 32 | 0 | |
Celtic
Ross County
Falkirk
Norwich City
