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Fullname: James Smith
aka: Jamie Smith
Born: 20 Nov 1980
Birthplace: Alexandria, Scotland
Signed: 1997
Position: Right-winger/Striker
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: 2
International Goals: 0

Biog

Winger Jamie Smith was an exciting Under-21 prospect who was given the chance to shine at senior level by Martin O’Neill in season 2000-01.

Fast, direct and with an eye for goal the youngster certainly impressed in his early appearances for the Hoops as he netted twice in his first two outings for the Bhoys first team.

The Celtic youth team graduate didn’t look out of place among the big money signings brought in by O’Neill and the Bhoys support enjoyed the teenager’s traditional wing play. Despite such a promising start though Smith could not establish himself as a regular starter and with most appearances limited to cameos from the substitute bench he struggled to maintain his form.

He was however capped by Scotland boss Berti Vogts in 2003, although by then it was looking increasingly likely that the wideman would have to look elsewhere for regular first team football.

In the summer of 2004 he was released by Celtic after 56 appearances – mostly from the bench. He signed a one year deal with Dutch club Den Haag before moving on to Aberdeen where, despite injuries, his form saw him once more in the Scotland reckoning.

Wandered off to MLS outfit Colorado Rapids upon the expiry of his Aberdeen contract in summer 2009.

(This work from pachucocadaver)

Originally from Alexandria, Jamie Smith came to the notice of Celtic scouts whilst playing for Celtic Boys Club and was recruited to the Pro Youth Academy at U15 level. In 1995 he went to China as part of a Glasgow City youth team to compete in a tournament there. He won Celtic Boys Club Player of the Year in 1996 at U14 level.

He joined the club full time sometime in February 1997 and started to get games for the U18 squad as a 16 year old. His progress continued through the next season and he began to make sub spots with the Reserve squad also, being played as a predominantly as a left-sided winger, though he had also played in defence and as a striker. At the end of 97/98 he was offered his first professional contract with the club in August 1998 having made a representative appearance in a Friendly against Ross County and made the bench in the end of season Friendly against Sporting Lisbon.

Through 98/99 he made the Reserve squad, though still eligible for youth team games, and was on the fringes of the first team making the bench for the last league game of the season against Dundee Utd.

He got his break the following season under John Barnes in the UEFA Cup Qualifier against Cwmbran Town coming on as a sub for Morten Wieghorst for the second half and scoring in the 60th minute. He continued with the Reserves and went on a 2 month loan to Livingston in April 2000 and on his return he made the bench in the remainder of the first team games. Under Martin O'Neill he started to win games though he was still making appearances as a sub and as a pacy left-winger that could hit the byline and get in decent crosses. With two years remaining on his contract season 02/03 was important season. However it wasn't until after Christmas that he began to appear regularly; and still predominantly as a sub. This alerted other teams and bids started to come in during his final season from Southampton, Motherwell, Dunfermiline and Leeds.

Out of contract at the end of the season and believed not to have been offered a new deal he was heavily linked with Aberdeen and Dunfermiline and Leeds south of the border. However he chose to go to Holland and trialled for 1 week with ADO Den Haag in Holland signing a 1 year deal with them. After a poor start he did well there and became an integral part of the survival package that saw Den Haag stay in the Eriedivisie.

At the end of 04/05, though offered a contract by ADO he returned to Scotland and was picked up on a free by Calderwood for Aberdeen. He has been with them since looked a far better player at Aberdeen than when he left Celtic, taking a more mature and responsible part in the game though his time at Aberdeen has to a degree been driven by injuries.

Playing Career

Club	From	To	Fee	League		FA Cup		League cup		Other
Aberdeen	18/06/2005	31/05/2009	Free	79 (6)	12	7 (0)	3	6 (0)	1	3 (0)	2
Den Haag	21/07/2004	18/06/2005	Free	No appearance data available
Livingston	21/03/2000	08/05/2000	Loan	5 (1)	1	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0	0 (0)	0
Celtic	01/08/1998	21/07/2004	Trainee	12 (30)	2	3 (1)	1	6 (2)	2	2 (7)	1
Totals			£0	96 (37)	15	10 (1)	4	12 (2)	3	5 (7)	3
			goals / game	0.11		0.36		0.21		0.25
				Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals

Honours

[Indicate any known awards (player of the year, etc)]

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