Scott Cuthbert

Born in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire,[1] Cuthbert was part of Celtic's youth academy from the age of 11, signing his first professional contract in August 2003 at the age of 16.[3] He went on to captain the club's U19 and reserve teams.[4] In the 2007–08 season, Cuthbert was an unused substitute in an Old Firm derby as Celtic lost 3–0.[5]

Cuthbert joined Scottish First Division club Livingston on a one-month loan in order to gain first-team experience during the 2006–07 season, making four appearances.[6] He scored his first professional goal in a 3–1 defeat at home to Airdrie United.[7]

He was loaned out once again, this time on a season-long loan to Scottish Premier League club St Mirren in August 2008.[8] He made his debut in a 0–0 draw with Kilmarnock on 16 August.[9][10] Cuthbert made 34 appearances in all competitions before returning to Celtic.[11] After leaving St Mirren, Cuthbert said a second loan spell was a possibility should he fail to secure a first-team place at Celtic.[12]

Despite interest from former loan club St Mirren, Cuthbert signed for League One club Swindon Town on 13 July 2009, on a two-year contract for a fee thought to be £100,000.[4][13] Cuthbert made his debut for Swindon on the opening day of the 2009–10 season in a 5–0 defeat away to Gillingham.[14] He was subsequently left out of the starting lineup for four matches until Swindon faced Wolverhampton Wanderers in the League Cup second round, which they lost 6–5 on penalties following a 0–0 draw after extra time.[15] Cuthbert scored his first goal for Swindon four days later in a 2–1 win at home to Southend United.[16][17] Towards the end of the season, Swindon were well-placed for promotion to the Championship, but with only one win in their last six matches, the club finished in fifth place and would have to contest the play-offs.[18] Swindon defeated Charlton 5–4 on penalties after their two-legged semi-final ended 3–3 after extra time.[19] Cuthbert later said the success of getting to Wembley Stadium in his first season with the club was a dream come true.[20] The play-off final saw Swindon lose 1–0 to Millwall, preventing the club from gaining promotion to the Championship.[21]

At the start of the 2010–11 season, Cuthbert was named as the club's vice-captain.[22] He scored his first goal of the season in a 2–1 defeat away to Milton Keynes Dons on 28 August 2010.[23] Six months later, Cuthbert scored his second goal of the season in a 2–1 defeat away to Colchester United on 12 February 2011.[24] In March, Cuthbert suffered a fractured cheekbone in a 1–1 draw with Dagenham & Redbridge, but was told he did not need surgery.[25] Swindon were relegated to League Two after a 3–1 defeat away to Sheffield Wednesday on 25 April.[26] Following the completion of the season, Cuthbert reflected on a mistake he made during a 2–1 defeat at home to Notts County, two days before Swindon were relegated, and was intent on returning the following season as a better player.[27] However, Cuthbert was not offered a new contract, despite expressing a desire to remain with the club.[28][29]

Ahead of the 2011–12 season, on 3 June 2011, Cuthbert signed a two-year contract with League One club Leyton Orient.[30] He made his Leyton Orient debut on the opening day of the campaign, playing as a centre back in a 1–0 defeat to Walsall.[31] Cuthbert received a red card in a 3–1 defeat at home to AFC Bournemouth on 13 September 2011 and was subsequently suspended for three matches.[32] Cuthbert scored his first goal for the club on 8 October in a 3–2 win over Scunthorpe United.[33] At the end of October, Cuthbert was nominated for the League One Player of the Month award.[34] Cuthbert suffered a hamstring injury on 31 March 2012, in a 2–0 defeat to Charlton Athletic, causing him to miss the final seven matches of the season.[35][36] Despite his injury, Cuthbert was named Leyton Orient's Player of the Year for the 2011–12 season.[37] Shortly after receiving it, Cuthbert said that winning the award was a proud moment for him.[38]

Cuthbert made a recovery from his injury ahead of a friendly match with Ebbsfleet United in pre-season ahead of the 2012–13 campaign.[39] After just two appearances, Cuthbert again suffered a hamstring injury that kept him from playing until December 2012.[40] In the Football League Trophy southern section semi-final at home to Yeovil Town, Cuthbert provided a winning assist for Dave Mooney in a 1–0 win to send the club through the southern section final.[41] In a 0–0 draw with Preston North End on 23 March 2013, Cuthbert suffered a fractured metatarsal that caused him to miss the rest of the season.[42] Shortly after the end of the season, Cuthbert signed a new two-year contract with the club.[43]

Cuthbert played most of the 2013–14 season at right back, as Leyton Orient came close to promotion to the Championship, ultimately losing on penalties to Rotherham United in the play-off final.[44] Cuthbert played in 54 matches in all competitions over the season, scoring four goals.[45] The 2014–15 season was a complete contrast, as Leyton Orient were relegated on the final day of the season after only managing a 2–2 draw with Cuthbert's former club Swindon Town.[46] After the season ended, Cuthbert was not offered a new contract.[47] Following his departure, Cuthbert stated that the club told him to wait by the phone to find out if he would be offered a new contract upon the expiry of his deal, which he "wasn't set on waiting about to be told whether I was wanted or not".[48]

Cuthbert signed a two-year contract with League Two club Luton Town on 26 May 2015.[49] Upon his arrival, Cuthbert stated "The aim is promotion – I wouldn't have come to this club if I didn't think that was possible."[49] He made his debut for the club on the opening day of the 2015–16 campaign in a 1–1 draw with Accrington Stanley.[50] Cuthbert was sent off in second half stoppage time for a professional foul during a 3–2 defeat away to Notts County on 12 September.[51] After the departure of Steve McNulty who joined National League club Tranmere Rovers on loan in October, Cuthbert was named temporary club captain, but was only given the role on a permanent basis after Nathan Jones replaced John Still as manager in January 2016.[52][53] Cuthbert went off injured during a 1–0 defeat at home to Stevenage on 2 April,[54] but despite his return to training prior to the penultimate match of the season against Northampton Town on 30 April,[55] he did not add to his tally of 40 appearances during the season.[56]

Ahead of the 2016–17 campaign, manager Jones confirmed Cuthbert would remain club captain ahead of summer signings Alan Sheehan and Johnny Mullins.[57] On the opening day of the season, Cuthbert was initially named on the bench, but an injury to Alan Sheehan moments before kick-off meant he was called up to the starting lineup.[58] Luton went on to achieve a 3–0 win away to Plymouth Argyle,[59] after which Cuthbert was praised for his performance by Jones.[60] His performance also earned him a place in the English Football League Team of the Week.[61] After making 50 starting appearances in league matches for Luton, Cuthbert triggered a one-year contract extension to keep him at the club until June 2018.[62]

The 2017–18 season began with Cuthbert once again a first-team regular in the centre of defence for Luton.[63] He scored his first goal of the campaign in the club's 2–1 comeback victory at Wycombe Wanderers on 16 September 2017.[64] His run in the first-team was curtailed due to a groin injury sustained in Luton's 7–0 home win against Cambridge United on 18 November 2017.[65][66] The injury was initially expected to keep him out of action until January 2018,[66] although he ultimately returned in March 2018.[63][67] Cuthbert made 25 appearances in all competitions during the campaign, scoring twice, as Luton won promotion to League One after finishing in second place.[63][68] He was released by Luton at the end of the season.[69]

Following his departure from Luton, Cuthbert signed for League Two club Stevenage on 30 May 2018.[70] He joined the Hertfordshire club on a two-year contract.[71] Cuthbert made his Stevenage debut in the club's opening match of the 2018–19 season, a 2–2 draw with Tranmere Rovers at Broadhall Way.[72] At the end of the 2018-19 Cuthbert would be awarded the club's 'Player of the Year' award.