| Stephen Glass (footballer) |
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Glass started his career with Aberdeen where he was regarded as one of Scotland 's brightest prospects. In Aberdeen's League Cup final victory against Dundee in November 1995, he set-up both goals in the Dons 2-0 success. His performance earned him the man-of-the-match award (a mountain bike) as well as a winner's medal. Glass' impressive development earned him a move to English Premiership giants Newcastle United in 1998, although a series of injuries saw him make only a limited number of appearances on Tyneside. In his first season at St James' Park , however, several eye-catching displays were rewarded with a substitutes appearance in the FA Cup Final against Manchester United at Wembley . Injury blighted his second season in the Premiership and, by the time he regained full fitness, Sir Bobby Robson had decided that Glass was nothing more than a solid squad player. On a brighter note, the Dundonian did pick up his first - and to date, only - full international cap in Scotland's 2-1 win over the Faroes Isles at Pittodrie in October 1998. Glass played a bit-part role in Newcastle's 2000-01 campaign - scoring the equaliser in a 1-1 home draw with Manchester Utd in December 2000 - and was offered a one-year contract extension by Sir Bobby Robson. He remained keen for first-team football, however, and neglected to stay at St James' Park. In the summer of 2001 Glass signed for Watford on a free transfer, as part of Gianluca Vialli 's new-look side. He was one of the more successful Vialli signings, and one of the few to be kept on by his successor, Ray Lewington . However, due to financial constraints Glass had to be released when his contract ended in the summer of 2003 . Ironically, after this announcement was made he scored a stunning free-kick in Watford's victory over Burnley in the FA Cup quarter-final. After leaving Watford Glass signed for Hibernian, making his debut for Hibs in the 2-1 win over Dundee United in August 2003 and also featuring in Hibs' derby win over Hearts the following week. Despite flashes of his expected pedigree, Glass' first season at Easter Road was also blighted by injury. His second season in Edinburgh , however, proved much more successful and his performances under new boss Tony Mowbray helped the club gain a European place. Only a broken wrist, which sidelined him for two league games (both of which Hibs lost) late in the season, kept Glass from appearing in every SPL match for Hibs in 2004-05 and his presence helped hold together a Hibs midfield which was weakened by lengthy injuries to star players Scott Brown , Kevin Thomson , and Guillaume Beuzelin . Along with numerous goal assists, Glass also chipped with two key goals in Hibs' league campaign: the first, a stunning volleyed winner against former club Aberdeen in December 2004, helped Hibs close the gap on the Dons in 3rd place, while his free-kick helped Hibs to a 2-1 over Dunfermline the following week. Glass was forced to start the 2005-06 Season on the bench for Hibs. Injury to left-back David Murphy in November, however, saw him drafted in as cover and his dependable performances won him his midfield berth back after the new year. Although injuries and inconsistency thwarted Hibs bid for both a top-three finish and a Scottish Cup final place, Glass nonetheless featured in Hibs' impressive wins over Rangers and Hearts in 2006. He accepted Tony Mowbray's offer of a two-year contract extension in April 2006. Glass was overlooked for the vacant Hibs captaincy in favour of Gary Caldwell and then Kevin Thomson in 2005 and 2006, perhaps because manager Mowbray no longer saw him to be certain of automatic first-team selection. When Mowbray was succeeded as Hibs' manager by John Collins in October 2006, Glass fell further down the pecking order. Having made only two first-team starts for Hibs during the first half of the 2006-07 Season , he was allowed to move to Dunfermline Athletic to gain more regular first team football. He joined the ''Pars'' on 25 January 2007 , on loan until the end of the season. After impressing Pars manager Stephen Kenny , Glass signed a 2 year contract with the recently relegated Fife club. 1 Glass is married to Carla. NOTES EXTERNAL LINKS |
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