Russell Anderson

For other people named Russell Anderson, see Russell

Anderson (disambiguation).
Russell Anderson
Russell
Anderson
(born 25
October 1978)
is a Scottish
former
professional
footballer who
played as a
centre back. He
played in the
Scottish
leagues for Anderson with Aberdeen in 2014
Aberdeen, the
Personal information
Premier League
for Sunderland, Full name Russell Anderson[1]
and the Date of
25 October 1978 (age 42)[2]
Football League birth
for Plymouth Place of
Aberdeen, Scotland
Argyle, Burnley birth
and Derby Height 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)[3]
County.
Anderson won Position(s) Centre back[4]
11 caps for Senior career*
Scotland at full Years Team Apps (Gls)
international
1996–
level between Aberdeen 280 (18)
2007
2002 and
2007–
2008. Sunderland 1 (0)
2010

Contents 2008
→ Plymouth
14 (0)
Argyle (loan)
1 Club career 2008–
→ Burnley (loan) 4 (0)
1.1 Aberdeen 2009
1.2 Sunderland 2010–
Derby County[A] 34 (1)
1.3 Derby 2011
County 2012–
Aberdeen 69 (1)
1.4 Return to 2015
Aberdeen Total 402 (20)
2 International
National team
career
1997–
3 Awards Scotland U21 16 (2)
1999
4 Personal life
5 Notes 2002–
Scotland 11 (0)
2008
6 References
7 External links 2003[5] Scotland B 1 (0)
Teams managed
Club 2017– Formartine United (assistant)
career * Senior club appearances and goals counted
Aberdeen for the domestic league only

Anderson was born and raised in Aberdeen and attended

Aberdeen Grammar School.[4][6] He began his career with
local club Aberdeen, progressing through the ranks to make
his first team debut in 1997; he scored his first goal for the
club in a 4–0 win against Hibernian in 2000.[6] Described as
a solid, reliable centre-back[6] (although he played some of
his early matches at right-back), Anderson established
himself as a first choice player and went on to make more
than 300 appearances in his first spell with the club.[6] In
2003, he was appointed club captain, a role he held for four
years before moving to Sunderland in 2007.[6]

In the 2005–06 season, he won the most league man-of-

the-match awards from BBC Radio Scotland's Sportsound.
In 2006, Anderson celebrated ten years at the club with a
testimonial match against Everton,[7] a match where the
Aberdeen fans showed their respect for his considerable
ability and loyalty, with 12,000 fans attending the match.
Despite Aberdeen leading 2–1, Everton won 3–2.[8]

Sunderland

Despite having stated his desire to remain at Aberdeen for

the rest of his career,[9] on 27 June 2007, Anderson
completed a £1 million transfer to Premiership club
Sunderland, signing a three-year deal.[10]
Anderson made his first appearance for Sunderland in a
friendly match against Italian side Juventus on 4 August
2007. He came on as a substitute at the Stadium of Light
with fifteen minutes of the match remaining. On 18 August
2007, he made his Premier League début as a substitute
against Wigan Athletic, where he gave away a penalty for a
mis-timed tackle in a 3–0 defeat. This would prove to be his
only Premier League appearance for Sunderland, as his next
two years at the club would be blighted by injury. His second
and last appearance for the club came against Luton in the
League Cup on 28 August 2007. Anderson, making his full
début, ruptured his ankle ligaments.[11] After having
reconstructive surgery, Anderson was ruled out for three
months.[12]

On 19 February 2008, Anderson joined Plymouth Argyle on a

one-month loan, which was later extended until the end of
the 2007–08 season.[13][14] He made his début for Plymouth
away to Southampton on 19 February 2008, with Plymouth
winning 2–0.[15] Anderson went on to play in all 14 of
Plymouth's final league games of the season during his spell
at the club.[citation needed]

On 26 August 2008, Anderson joined Burnley on loan until

the end of the 2008–09 season.[16] He made his Burnley
début on 30 August 2008 in a 0–0 draw against his former
club Plymouth. Anderson played four consecutive league
games for Burnley, but in his fifth game for the club, a
League Cup tie against Fulham on 23 September 2008, he
suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out
for the rest of the season.[17]

After spending 14 months out injured, Anderson finally made

his comeback in a reserve game against Wigan Athletic on 1
December 2009.[18] Anderson's contract was due to expire
at the end of the 2009–10 season. On 31 December,
Anderson was reported to be in talks with Hibernian and an
"unnamed Championship club", later revealed to be Derby
County.[19] However, Hibernian said they had no interest in
signing Anderson, giving Derby County an advantage to win
the race.[20] Reports of Anderson leaving were confirmed on
14 January 2010, as Sunderland released him from his
contract.[21]

After leaving Sunderland, Anderson told MailSport in an

interview: "It hasn't been a great couple of years and I've
spent more time in the treatment room than the dressing-
room. But I can't moan about what happened at Sunderland
because it won't do me any good."[22]

Derby County

On 15 January 2010, Derby County announced that they had

signed Anderson on a contract until the end of the 2009–10
season.[23] He made his début as a second-half substitute in
a 3–0 win at Peterborough United the following day and
appeared sporadically as a late substitute for the club over
the next eight weeks, behind the club's first choice pairing of
Jake Buxton and Shaun Barker. He finally made his first start
for the club in a 2–2 draw with Middlesbrough on 16 March,
in place of Buxton, and kept it for the rest of the season as
Derby successfully fought off relegation. Anderson scored
his first goal for Derby County, and his first in three years, on
17 April 2010 with the opener in a 1–1 draw against Crystal
Palace which ensured Derby were mathematically safe from
relegation.[24] Anderson impressed enough for Derby
manager Nigel Clough to confirm his intention to offer
Anderson a two-year deal at the end of the 2009–10 season,
seeing Anderson as one of four centre halves for the club's
2010–11 season alongside Barker, Buxton and Dean
Leacock. The deal was signed on 21 April 2010[25][26][27]

Anderson started the 2010–11 season alongside Dean

Leacock in the centre of the Derby defence as they earned a
2–1 win at Leeds United before an injury sustained in training
ruled him out for the next two months. He returned to action
with a 60-minute appearance in the reserves 3–1 defeat at
Rotherham United.[28] He returned to first team action as an
89th-minute substitute the following Saturday against
Preston North End, winning a 93rd-minute penalty which
Robbie Savage converted in a 3–0 Derby victory. He
suffered a hamstring injury soon after which ruled him out
for another three months before picking up a calf injury in his
rehabilitation to rule him out until mid-February 2011.[29] He
returned to the side on 2 April with a substitute appearance
in a 4–1 defeat at Cardiff City and featured in the remaining
six games of the campaign with a further three starts and
three substitute appearances. Following the end of the
2010/11 season, it was reported that Aberdeen had a move
for Anderson accepted but the player rejected the chance of
a move, preferring to remain at Pride Park.[30] Anderson
started the season in Derby's first team but was injured 35
minutes into the first game and missed the first month of the
season. Upon returning to the side for a 3–0 win over Millwall
at the end of September, Anderson played a role in seven of
Derby's next eight games, often employed at right-back in
the absence of first choice John Brayford. However, a
hamstring injury sustained in a 3–0 home defeat to Cardiff
City saw him ruled out of action for two months.[31] The
injury proved to be the final injury of a blighted spell with the
Rams as his contract was canceled by mutual consent on 12
December 2011, with just 19 appearances coming in his 15
months as permanent player at the club.[32]

Return to Aberdeen

Anderson signed for Aberdeen for a second time in January

2012 and was appointed as captain of the team.[33] In an
exclusive interview with Daily Record, Anderson expressed
return to Aberdeen, so he would overcome his injury.[34][35]

After two months without playing due to an injury, Anderson

finally made his first appearance in his second Aberdeen
spell, when he came on for Clark Robertson in the 76th
minutes as a substitute, as Aberdeen lost 3–0 against Hearts
on 31 March 2012.[36] Despite the loss, Anderson expressed
his delight at his return and said he felt that it meant a lot to
receive a great welcome from fans.[37] Anderson stated his
aim to help the club reach a final for the first time in thirteen
years.[38] Having made twenty two appearances so far,
Anderson signed a contract extension that will keep him until
the next season.[39] Anderson said he was happy at signing
a contract extension and delaying his retirement.[40]
Anderson's first full season back with Aberdeen wasn't very
successful, with the club finishing 8th in the Scottish Premier
League.[citation needed]

In the 2013–14 season, Anderson said he had unfinished

business at the club and vowed to take them back to where
they belong.[41] On 25 January 2014, he scored his first goal
for Aberdeen since returning to the club, scoring an injury
time equaliser, as Aberdeen drew 2–2 with Motherwell.[42]
After beating St Johnstone 4–0 to reach the final of the
Scottish League Cup, Manager Derek McInnes commented
that the final meant many things for Anderson, while Willie
Miller compared Reynolds and Anderson's central defense
partnership to his own partnership with Alex McLeish during
their time at Aberdeen.[43][44]

Anderson was the sixth Aberdeen captain to lift silverware

when they defeated Inverness Caledonian Thistle 4–2 on
penalties in the 2014 Scottish League Cup Final. Anderson
himself came very close to scoring in the match, hitting the
post with a volley.[45] Anderson reacted on Aberdeen
winning the Scottish League Cup as an "incredible feeling".
[46] Following the final, Derek McInnes announced he would

be giving a new deal to Anderson.[47] The captain's armband

that he wore in the final, was snapped up by a fan who paid
£500, which later went to charity.[48]

On 15 May 2014, Anderson signed a new one-year contract

with Aberdeen.[49] Anderson appeared and captained five
out of the six for Aberdeen's Europa League matches. During
the match against St Johnstone on 23 August 2014,
Anderson was limped with a knee injury and was taken off in
the 77th minutes.[50] As a result, Anderson was out for the
most of the season.[51] On 7 May 2015, Anderson
announced that he would retire from playing at the end of
the 2014–15 season.[52] He played his final match on 24 May
2015, as Aberdeen lost 1–0 at home to St Johnstone.[53]

After announcing his retirement, Anderson remained at the

club in a business development role.[54] As of September
2017, he continues in this position at Pittodrie, while also
supporting brother-in-law, Paul Lawson – in an assistant
manager capacity – at Highland League club, Formartine
United.[citation needed]

International career
Anderson played for the Scottish national side on eleven
occasions and was both a youth and under-21 international.
[55] He won his first cap against Iceland in October 2002,

coming on as a late substitute.[56] Anderson went on to win

11 full caps in total, making his last international appearance
in March 2008.[57]

Awards
Anderson won the SPL player of the month award in
November 2006.[58] He was nominated for Scottish PFA
Players' Player of the Year for the 2006/07 season, and was
the only nominee playing for a club other than league
champions Celtic. Anderson was also named in the Scottish
PFA team of the year for the 2006–07 season.[59]

Personal life
His son Jevan is also a footballer.[60]

Notes
 A. Soccerbase's stats for the match between
Nottingham Forest and Derby County on 17 September
2011 fail to count a substitute appearance made by
Anderson, instead crediting it to Lee Croft.[61]
Therefore, until and unless they correct it, he should
have one more appearance for Derby than given on his
Soccerbase page.

References
1. "List of Players under Written Contract Whose
Registrations have been Cancelled by Mutual Consent
Between 01/12/2011 and 31/12/2011". The Football
Association. p. 5. Archived from the original on 23
October 2019.
2. Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers'
Who's Who 2010–11. Mainstream Publishing. p. 21.
ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
3. "Russell Anderson: Overview". Premier League.
Retrieved 15 March 2020.
4. ^ a b "Russell Anderson". Barry Hugman's Footballers.
Retrieved 3 January 2020.
5. "Scotland B player Russell Anderson".
www.fitbastats.com.
6. ^ a b c d e "Russell Anderson". Aberdeen F.C. Archived
from the original on 23 May 2013. Retrieved 2 June
2013.
 7. "Ten-year tribute to Dons' captain". BBC Sport. 9
August 2006. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
8. "Aberdeen 2–3 Everton". BBC Sport. 9 August 2006.
Retrieved 4 January 2010.
9. "Anderson aims for Pittodrie stay". BBC Sport. 22 May
2007. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
10. "Anderson seals Sunderland switch". BBC Sport. 27
June 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
11. "Sunderland hit by Anderson blow". BBC Sport. 28
September 2007. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
12. "ANDERSON ADDS TO CATS WOE". Football.co.uk. 28
September 2007. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
13. "Argyle sign Scotland pair on loan". BBC Sport. 19
February 2008. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
14. "Anderson extends loan at Plymouth". BBC Sport. 18
March 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
15. "Sturrock praises his new signings". BBC Sport. 20
February 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
16. "Clarets Complete Anderson Signing". Burnley official
website. 26 August 2008. Archived from the original on
27 August 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
17. "Burnley's Anderson out for season". BBC Sport. 25
September 2008. Retrieved 15 January 2010.
18. "Red-card agony for Anderson". Sunderland Echo. 2
December 2009. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
19. "Sunderland's Russell Anderson has talks with
Hibernian". BBC Sport. 31 December 2009. Retrieved
 15 January 2010.
20. "Hibs not interested in Russell Anderson, says boss
John Hughes". Daily Record. 30 December 2009.
Retrieved 3 April 2014.
21. "Sunderland end Russell Anderson contract". BBC
Sport. 14 January 2010.
22. "Russell Anderson: Moaning about my injury hell won't
do any good – I have to look forward". Daily Record. 25
April 2010. Archived from the original on 3 April 2014.
Retrieved 3 April 2014.
23. "ANDERSON SIGNS FOR RAMS". Derby County Official
Site. 15 January 2010. Archived from the original on 3
April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
24. "Anderson ends three-year wait as he strikes for
Rams". Daily Telegraph. 19 April 2010. Retrieved 3 April
2014.
25. "Clough in move to keep Key duo". Derby Telegraph. 12
April 2010.
26. "Russ set for new deal at Rams". Derby Telegraph. 19
April 2010.
27. "Russ sign for Rams". dcfc.co.uk. 21 April 2010.
28. "Rotherham United Res 3–1 Derby County Res".
dcfc.co.uk. 12 October 2010.
29. "Rams agree a deal to bring in a pacy striker on loan".
Derby Telegraph. 15 January 2011.
30. "Russell Anderson rejects move back to Aberdeen to
stay with Derby". Daily Record. 30 May 2011.
31. "Derby loan signings not needed despite injuries –
Clough". BBC Sport. 4 November 2011.
32. "Anderson Leaves Derby". dcfc.co.uk. 12 December
2011.
33. "Skipper returns home". Aberdeen FC. 17 January
2012. Archived from the original on 20 January 2012.
Retrieved 17 January 2012.
34. "Former Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson hoping for
Pittodrie return after leaving Derby County". Daily
Record. 13 December 2011. Archived from the original
on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
35. "Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson: Quitting is just
not an option when the Dons are on top". Daily Record.
15 March 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
36. "Hearts 3–0 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 31 March 2012.
Retrieved 3 April 2014.
37. "Russell Anderson delighted to be back in action
despite defeat at Hearts". Daily Record. 1 April 2012.
Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 3
April 2014.
38. "Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson: We'll stay calm
but cup final spot is up for grabs". Daily Record. 3
November 2012. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
39. "Dons delighted as captain Russell Anderson signs a
new deal at Pittodrie". Daily Record. 7 February 2013.
Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 3
April 2014.
40. "Veteran defender Russell Anderson happy to shelve
retirement for another season at Aberdeen". Daily
Record. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
41. "Aberdeen veteran Russell Anderson: I've still got
unfinished business at Pittodrie". Daily Record. 3
August 2013. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
42. "Motherwell 2–2 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 25 January
2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
43. "Aberdeen reaching League Cup Final means a lot to a
lot of people but it means everything to Russell
Anderson, says Derek McInnes". Daily Record. 3
February 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
44. "Aberdeen legend Willie Miller: Defensive duo Mark
Reynolds and Russell Anderson are the new Alex
McLeish and me". Daily Record. 11 February 2014.
Retrieved 3 April 2014.
45. Campbell, Andy (16 March 2014). "Aberdeen 0–0
Inverness CT". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
46. "Scottish League Cup: Russell Anderson savours
Aberdeen success". Sky Sports. 16 March 2014.
Retrieved 3 April 2014.
47. "Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes ready to offer new
deals to Barry Robson and Russell Anderson". Daily
Record. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
48. "Aberdeen charity scores £500 as Dons fan snaps up
Russell Anderson's cup final armband". Evening
Express. 29 March 2014. Archived from the original on
 30 March 2014. Retrieved 3 April 2014.
49. "Aberdeen: Russell Anderson & Barry Robson sign new
deals". BBC Sport. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 22 May
2014.
50. "St Johnstone 1 – 0 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 23 August
2014. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
51. "Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson to hold talks with
Derek McInnes in bid to find out if he's staying a Don".
Daily Record. 29 April 2015. Retrieved 25 June 2015.
52. "Russell announce his Retirement". Aberdeen F.C. 7
May 2015. Archived from the original on 18 May 2015.
Retrieved 12 May 2015.
53. Davie, Scott (24 May 2015). "Aberdeen 0–1 St
Johnstone". BBC Sport. Retrieved 25 May 2015.
54. "Retiring Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson eyes
business role at Pittodrie and admits: I'd rather do
counting than coaching". Daily Record. 12 May 2015.
Retrieved 25 June 2015.
55. "Scotland U21 player Russell Anderson".
www.fitbastats.com. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
56. "Scotland sink Iceland". BBC Sport website. 12 October
2002. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
57. Russell Anderson at the Scottish Football Association
58. "November prize for Dons' Anderson". BBC Sport. BBC.
30 November 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
59. "SPFA's team of the 2006/07 season". BBC Sport. BBC.
23 April 2007. Retrieved 23 May 2010.
60. Law, Callum. "Jevan Anderson returns to Formartine
United after trial with Joey Barton's Fleetwood Town".
61. "Nottm Forest 1–2 Derby County". dcfc.co.uk. 17
September 2011. Retrieved 5 November 2013.

External links
Russell Anderson at Soccerbase
International stats at 11v11

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2006–07 PFA Scotland SPL Team of the Year

GK: Boruc
DF: Whittaker
DF: Anderson
DF: McManus
DF: Naylor
MF: Brown
MF: Ferguson
MF: Nakamura
FW: Naismith
FW: Boyd
FW: McDonald