STEPHEN PEARSON

'Stephen Paul Pearson' (born October 2, 1982 in Lanark) is a Scottish footballer, currently playing for Premier League team Derby County.
As a boy, Pearson attended the renowned Our Lady's High School in Motherwell and is one of the school's numerous famous footballing alumni, a list which includes such luminaries as Sir Matt Busby, Billy McNeill, and Bobby Murdoch. Like most of his fellow pupils, he grew-up an ardent Celtic supporter, however it was to be at Motherwell that he would start his career.
Motherwell were a financially troubled club at this time and in 2002 they were placed in administration to prevent liquidation, with 19 senior players released. This period of adversity did however have one redeeming feature, as many talented young players, notably Pearson and his friend and fellow emerging talent James McFadden, gained instant elevation to first team status and a chance to develop and hone their skills more quickly than contemporaries at other clubs.
After a period of acclimatisation under new manager Terry Butcher during which Motherwell finished 12th in season 2002-03, the rewards of this policy became clear. By December 2003, a youthful Motherwell team were comfortably mid-table, with the non-stop running and exciting attacking bursts. Such was Pearson's form he gained international recognition, receiving his first Scotland cap in a memorable 1-0 victory over the Netherlands.
However, Motherwell's financial predicament ensured they were unable to refuse any reasonable offers and when Celtic manager Martin O'Neill offered £350,000 in January 2004, Pearson fulfilled a childhood ambition by moving to Parkhead. He continued his fine form, notably in Celtic's epic UEFA Cup defeat of F.C. Barcelona, and won the Scottish PFA Young Player of the Year for the 2003-04 season.
Pearson was, however, unable to match his achievement of the previous season in 2004-05, and despite increasing his international tally to 6 caps, Pearson's first team opportunities were limited due to injury, playing just 9 games for Celtic that season.
Season 2005-06 saw little improvement for Pearson, making only 3 starting appearances in a relatively injury hit season. Pearson did however make 17 substitute appearances and scored a crucial goal against Hearts at Tynecastle as Celtic came from behind to win 3-2.
As of July 2006, Pearson was being strongly linked with a move away from Celtic Park with, among others, Derby County, managed by his former Motherwell manager Billy Davies, expressing an interest. However the departure of Stilian Petrov to Aston Villa gave Pearson an opportunity to regain a place in the Celtic midfield.
Despite rumours of this move, Pearson went on to score the third goal against Benfica in Celtic's Champions League home game, to take the score to 3-0. He described this goal as "the moment of my career"[1].
After winning 2 Scottish Premier Leagues with Celtic, on 10 January 2007, Pearson signed for Derby County for a fee believed to be just under £1 million.
On 28 May, 2007, Pearson scored the winning goal for Derby in the Football League Championship play-off final, as they beat West Bromwich Albion 1-0. It was also his first ever goal for Derby County.
Pearson's strike has been described as "the 60 million goal" such is the value of promotion from the Championship to the Premiership.

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External links

External links

★ Stephen Pearson's WTFC.net player profile

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