Ruari Paton (born 9 August 2000) is an Irish association football player who plays as a striker for Scottish Championship club Queen's Park.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 9 August 2000 | ||
| Place of birth | Dublin, Ireland | ||
| Height | 1.77 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Queen's Park | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2012 | Shelbourne | ||
| 2013 | St Kevin's Boys | ||
| 2014–2016 | Belvedere | ||
| 2016–2019 | Hibernian | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016–2019 | Hibernian | 0 | (0) |
| 2018–2019 | → Gala Fairydean Rovers (loan) | 0 | (0) |
| 2019–2020 | East Kilbride | 0 | (0) |
| 2020–2021 | Stranraer | 25 | (6) |
| 2021–2023 | Queen of the South | 70 | (25) |
| 2023– | Queen's Park | 19 | (10) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 01:31, 6 January 2024 (UTC) | |||
Early life edit
Paton attended Ross High School, Tranent in East Lothian, before signing a pro-youth contract with Hibernian in Edinburgh.[2]
Career edit
Paton played for Belvedere in Dublin, before signing for Hibernian as a sixteen year-old. Paton was released by Hibernian without having played for the first-team after three seasons, although he played for Gala Fairydean Rovers during a loan spell. Paton then signed for East Kilbride, before agreeing a two-year contract with Stranraer.[3][4][5]
Queen of the South edit
Paton then signed a two-year contract with Queen of the South in Dumfries, before the start of the 2021-22 season, for an undisclosed fee from the Stair Park club.[6] In July 2021, Paton scored his first goals for the Palmerston Park club in his first two games versus Annan Athletic and Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup.[7] Paton finished the 2022-23 in Scottish football season with 25 goals for the Doonhamers.[8] Paton finished as joint-top scorer in Scottish League One, alongside Calum Gallagher of Airdrieonians and was also named in the team of the season.[9]
Queen's Park edit
In June 2023, Paton signed for Queen's Park on a three-year contract.[10]
On 25 July 2023, Paton scored four goals versus Elgin City in the Scottish League Cup, his first professional hat-trick and four goal haul in his career.[11]
Personal life edit
Paton practised Irish dancing when he was a youngster in Dublin and sometimes celebrates a goal with an Irish jig.
Paton was also a breakdancer in his youth.[12]
References edit
- ^ "Ruari Paton". Soccerway. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
- ^ Ritchie, Cameron (2 June 2023). "Football: Team of the Year honour for striker Ruari Paton". East Lothian Courier. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ Temlett, Stephen (29 June 2021). "Queen of the South boss delighted at capture of two attacking recruits". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ Ritchie, Cameron (3 April 2021). "Former Ross High pupil Ruari Paton aiming for Scottish Cup glory". East Lothian Courier. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ Ritchie, Cameron (17 April 2021). "Former Hibs striker Ruari Paton keen to make Scottish Cup history". Easy Lothian Courier. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ Temlett, Stephen (2 July 2021). "New Queen of the South signing Ruari Paton "over the moon" with Palmerston move". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ McDonald, Kenny (20 July 2021). "Queen of the South new boy Ruari Paton enjoying proving doubters wrong with two goals in two games". Daily Record. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ Sked, Joel (23 June 2023). "Scottish transfers: Rangers ace wanted, Celtic eye trio plus 12-goal midfielder, Hearts make right-back move". The Scotsman. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "CINCH LEAGUE 1 TEAM OF THE SEASON 22/23". spfl.co.uk. 15 June 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "QUEEN TO QUEEN'S FOR RUARI PATON". Queensparkfc.co.uk. 22 June 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Viaplay Cup: St Johnstone drop out while Livi & St Mirren win; Paton hits four for Queen's". BBC Sport. 25 July 2023. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
- ^ "Plenty to celebrate for Paton". Stranraerfc.org. 17 April 2021. Retrieved 26 July 2023.