Robbie Muirhead
Robbie Muirhead (born 8 March 1996) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Livingston in the Scottish Premiership.[1][2] Standing at 1.91 metres tall and primarily left-footed, he is known for his versatility, capable of operating as a centre-forward or winger.[1][3] Muirhead began his professional career with Kilmarnock, making his debut in the 2013–14 Scottish Premiership season and accumulating 41 appearances with 4 goals over two years.[3] In February 2015, he transferred to Dundee United, where he played 16 league matches and scored 2 goals before the end of the 2015–16 season.[3] During that campaign, he spent time on loan at Partick Thistle, contributing 8 appearances and 2 goals in the Scottish Championship.[3] Following his time in Scotland, Muirhead moved to Heart of Midlothian in 2016, where he made 18 league appearances and scored 2 goals in the 2016–17 season.[3] He then joined English club Milton Keynes Dons in League One from 2016 to 2018, featuring in 49 matches and netting 5 goals.[3] Returning to Scotland, he had a brief stint with Dunfermline Athletic in 2018–19 (12 appearances, no goals) before signing with Greenock Morton, where he enjoyed his most productive period from 2019 to 2024, playing 125 league games and scoring 27 goals, including standout seasons with 10 goals in 2022–23 and 12 in 2023–24.[3] In May 2024, Muirhead joined Livingston on a free transfer, signing a two-year deal that he extended in July 2025 to run until 2027.[4][5] Across 41 league appearances for the club as of November 2025, he has scored 14 goals, helping the team secure promotion from the Scottish Championship in 2024–25 before returning to the Scottish Premiership.[3] Throughout his career, Muirhead has made over 300 league appearances and scored more than 50 goals, establishing himself as a reliable journeyman forward in Scottish and English football.[3]Biography
Early life
Robbie Muirhead was born on 8 March 1996 in Irvine, Scotland.[1] He grew up in the nearby town of Kilmarnock in a household of devoted supporters of local club Kilmarnock FC; his grandfather, father, and mother were all fans of the team, and his grandfather frequently took him to watch matches at Rugby Park as a child.[6] From a young age, he was actively involved in local football, initially playing as a left back before switching to a forward position around age 16, inspired by players such as Michael Owen and David Beckham.[6] He was also engaged in local golf, winning a junior competition organized by the Ayrshire Post at age 12, which earned him mentions in the local newspaper.[7] These early experiences in football and golf highlighted Muirhead's sporting talent during his childhood. This passion for the game soon led him to join the youth academy at his boyhood club, Kilmarnock.[6]Personal life
Muirhead hails from a family of devoted Kilmarnock supporters, with his grandfather, father, and mother all lifelong fans of the club, which significantly shaped his early decision to join their youth academy.[6] In 2016, upon signing with Heart of Midlothian, Muirhead sought greater stability by returning to Scotland.[8] He resides in Scotland alongside his professional commitments.[8] Muirhead married in the summer of 2024, with the timing of the wedding and subsequent honeymoon leading him to postpone contract discussions with Greenock Morton, placing personal milestones ahead of immediate career decisions for a brief period.[9] Beyond football, Muirhead has sustained a keen interest in golf as a hobby, building on his early successes in junior competitions, such as winning a local prize at age 12 that earned him spots in professional clinics and tournaments.[7]Club career
Kilmarnock
Muirhead progressed through Kilmarnock's youth academy, having joined from local football in his hometown of Irvine. He signed his first professional contract with the club in 2013 at the age of 17. Under manager Allan Johnston, who took charge in June 2013, Muirhead was integrated into the first team, marking his professional breakthrough at his boyhood club. Muirhead made his first-team debut in the 2012–13 Scottish Premier League season on 18 May 2013, coming on as a substitute in a 1–3 home loss against St Mirren. He became a regular squad member in the subsequent 2013–14 Scottish Premiership campaign, contributing to Kilmarnock's survival in the top flight. A notable moment came on 18 January 2014, when he scored a dramatic 90th-minute equaliser in a 1–1 draw away to Partick Thistle, reacting quickest to a rebound from a saved penalty; Johnston praised his "fantastic" instincts and positioning in the match. Over his time at Kilmarnock from 2013 to 2015, he made 44 appearances across all competitions and scored 4 goals. Muirhead's development under Johnston highlighted his versatility as a forward, with the manager noting his ability to thrive in competitive environments. However, his tenure ended amid controversy when he transferred to Dundee United on 2 February 2015 for a fee of approximately £150,000, signing a three-and-a-half-year deal. The sale prompted Johnston to resign in protest shortly after, citing a lack of consultation over the decision.Dundee United
Muirhead joined Dundee United from Kilmarnock on 2 February 2015, transfer deadline day, for a fee of approximately £150,000 plus add-ons, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract as a promising forward following his breakthrough season at his previous club.[10][11] He made his debut shortly after, but his integration into the first team was gradual amid competition in attack. Over his time at Tannadice, Muirhead featured in 16 Scottish Premiership appearances, scoring 2 goals, primarily during the latter part of the 2014–15 season and sporadically in 2015–16.[12][13] To gain more playing time, Muirhead was loaned to Partick Thistle on 1 September 2015 until 4 January 2016.[14] During this spell in the same division, he made 8 league appearances and scored 2 goals, showing glimpses of his potential but struggling for consistent starts.[15] Upon returning to Dundee United in January 2016, he found opportunities limited as the team battled relegation.[16] Muirhead's stint at Dundee United was hampered by inconsistent form and injuries, preventing a sustained role in the squad.[17] He was released by mutual consent on 29 April 2016, less than two years after his arrival and with over a year remaining on his deal.[11][18]Heart of Midlothian
After being released by Dundee United in April 2016, Muirhead signed a one-year contract with Heart of Midlothian in June 2016, marking his return to Scottish football with a club competing in the Scottish Premiership.[12][19] The 20-year-old forward joined as a promising attacking option under head coach Robbie Neilson, who had previously tracked his development.[12] During the 2016–17 season, Muirhead made 18 league appearances for Hearts, scoring 2 goals and establishing himself as a squad player who provided depth in the forward line.[20] His most notable contribution came on 30 November 2016, when he scored both goals in a 2–0 home victory over Rangers at Tynecastle, helping Hearts leapfrog their rivals into second place in the Premiership standings and marking his first goals for the club.[21][22] Following the mid-season appointment of Ian Cathro as head coach in December 2016, Muirhead continued to feature sporadically as a substitute, contributing to the team's European campaign with one appearance in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers.[20] Muirhead's time at Hearts was brief, ending in January 2017 when the club agreed to a nominal transfer fee with Milton Keynes Dons, allowing the forward to depart six months early from his contract and pursue opportunities in England under his former manager Robbie Neilson.[23][24] This move facilitated a reunion and provided Muirhead with regular playing time abroad after his limited but impactful stint in Edinburgh.[25]Milton Keynes Dons
Muirhead's move to English football came following a brief spell at Heart of Midlothian, where he had shown promise under Robbie Neilson. On 19 January 2017, he joined Milton Keynes Dons in EFL League One, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract for an undisclosed fee and reuniting with Neilson as the club's new manager.[23][26] Over the remainder of the 2016–17 season and the full 2017–18 campaign, Muirhead made 57 appearances for MK Dons, scoring 5 goals.[27] His time in England represented his first significant professional experience outside Scotland, where the faster pace of League One presented notable adaptation challenges compared to the Scottish leagues. He contributed early impacts, such as a long-range strike in a 3–2 victory over Gillingham in April 2017, but struggled for consistency.[28] Injuries hampered his progress, including a knock during pre-season in July 2017 that forced him to hobble off.[29] These setbacks, combined with irregular starts under Neilson, limited his influence despite occasional bright performances, such as a powerful drive against Blackpool.[30] MK Dons suffered relegation to League Two after finishing 21st in League One at the end of the 2017–18 season.[31] Muirhead left the club shortly thereafter, transferring to Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic on 31 August 2018 for an undisclosed fee.[32][33]Dunfermline Athletic
Muirhead returned to Scottish football in August 2018 by signing a one-year deal with Dunfermline Athletic for an undisclosed fee from Milton Keynes Dons, with the move anticipated to leverage his English league experience for a positive impact.[34][33] During the 2018–2019 Scottish Championship season, Muirhead made 12 appearances without scoring any goals, primarily featuring as a substitute in a limited role.[3] He served as a fringe player for the team, which struggled in the lower half of the table during a tense battle to avoid relegation, finishing eighth and securing survival on the final day. Muirhead's contract was not renewed, and he was released by Dunfermline in May 2019, with the departure attributed to his insufficient playing time throughout the campaign.[35]Greenock Morton
Muirhead joined Greenock Morton on a one-year contract in June 2019, becoming the first signing of manager David Hopkin for the upcoming Scottish Championship season.[36] Following a period of frequent club changes earlier in his career, the move provided the stability Muirhead sought, marking the longest tenure of his professional career to date.[37] Over his five seasons with Morton, Muirhead made 165 appearances and scored 44 goals across all competitions, establishing himself as a reliable forward in the Scottish Championship.[27] He enjoyed his most productive campaigns in 2022–23, netting 13 goals to help secure a fifth-place finish, and 2023–24, where he tallied a personal best of 17 goals—earning the club's top scorer accolade for the third consecutive season.[38] Under successive managers including Hopkin, Gus McPherson, and Dougie Imrie, Muirhead maintained a consistent starting role, contributing to Morton's regular top-half league standings and occasional contention for promotion play-offs, such as their fourth-place position in the interrupted 2019–20 season.[39] Muirhead's contract expired at the end of the 2023–24 season, and after rejecting an improved offer to extend his stay, he departed Cappielow in May 2024 to sign a pre-contract agreement with Livingston.[38] His decision on his next move was briefly delayed by personal commitments, including his wedding earlier that month.[9]Livingston
In May 2024, Robbie Muirhead signed a pre-contract agreement with Livingston on a free transfer from Greenock Morton, joining the club on a two-year deal effective from June 1. His prolific goal-scoring record at Morton, where he netted 15 goals in 40 appearances during the 2023–24 season, made him an attractive addition to bolster Livingston's attack following their relegation to the Scottish Championship.[40] During the 2024–25 season, Muirhead played a pivotal role in Livingston's promotion back to the Scottish Premiership, appearing in 32 matches and scoring 13 goals across all competitions, including key contributions in the playoff victory over Ross County.[41] As of November 2025, he has made 41 league appearances and scored 14 goals for the club, helping the team in the Scottish Premiership. Under manager David Martindale, Muirhead has established himself as the first-choice centre-forward, adapting to the increased physicality and pace of Premiership football by focusing on hold-up play and linking with midfielders, though he has noted the challenges of consistent service in the top flight.[42] In July 2025, Muirhead agreed to a two-year contract extension, securing his future at Livingston until summer 2027 and signaling the club's confidence in his ongoing contributions amid their efforts to stabilize in the Premiership.[43][5] As of November 2025, at age 29, Muirhead remains a vital asset for Livingston's survival bid, with his experience and finishing ability positioned to play a central role in the season ahead.[1]International career
Youth career
Muirhead began his international youth career with Scotland's under-15 team, earning two caps in 2011 with no goals scored.[44] He progressed to the under-16 level the following year, accumulating three caps in 2012, again without finding the net.[45] At under-17 level, Muirhead featured in five caps during the 2012–13 period, including UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers, where he demonstrated his scoring prowess by netting a hat-trick in a 5–2 victory over Luxembourg in November 2012.[46] His contributions at this stage highlighted his development as a forward, aligning with his emergence from Kilmarnock's youth academy into senior opportunities.[45] Muirhead earned his solitary under-18 cap in 2014 before stepping up to the under-19 squad, where he made four appearances across the 2014–15 campaigns and scored two goals.[45] One standout moment came in October 2014 during a UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifier against Norway, when he rifled in a stunning 40-yard strike that opened the scoring in a 1–1 draw and earned a nomination for UEFA's Goal of the Season award.[47][48] This progression through Scotland's youth ranks paralleled his club career trajectory, from academy product at Kilmarnock to regular first-team action across various Scottish and English leagues.Senior career
Muirhead has not received any call-ups to the Scotland senior national team and holds zero caps as of November 2025.[49] His international career at the senior level remains non-existent, with no appearances in competitive or friendly matches.[50] The highest level of senior youth international involvement for Muirhead was a maiden call-up to the Scotland U21 squad in March 2018, ahead of a friendly against Andorra.[51] At the time, he was playing for Milton Keynes Dons in England's League One, and the selection marked his progression from earlier youth teams. However, Muirhead did not feature in the 1-1 draw on 23 March 2018, remaining an unused squad member, and recorded zero appearances overall for the U21 side.[52][50] This call-up was his only involvement at the U21 level, as subsequent opportunities did not materialize. Muirhead's strong performances in the 2025-26 Scottish Premiership season with Livingston—where he has made 8 appearances and scored 1 goal as of November 2025.[53]Career statistics
Club statistics
As of 8 November 2025, Robbie Muirhead has recorded 310 appearances and 56 goals in domestic league competitions across his club career, with overall totals of 386 appearances and 82 goals when including cup matches in the Scottish Premiership, Scottish Championship, Scottish League One, English League One, Scottish Cup, Scottish League Cup, EFL Cup, EFL Trophy, and Scottish Challenge Cup.[3][27] The following table provides a season-by-season breakdown of his club appearances and goals in all competitions:| Season | Club | League Apps | Cup Apps | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012–13 | Kilmarnock | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2013–14 | Kilmarnock | 21 | 0 | 21 | 2 |
| 2014–15 | Kilmarnock | 20 | 2 | 22 | 2 |
| 2014–15 | Dundee United | 13 | 0 | 13 | 2 |
| 2015–16 | Dundee United | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2015–16 | Partick Thistle (loan) | 8 | 0 | 8 | 2 |
| 2016–17 | Heart of Midlothian | 18 | 1 | 19 | 2 |
| 2016–17 | Milton Keynes Dons | 19 | 0 | 19 | 2 |
| 2017–18 | Milton Keynes Dons | 30 | 7 | 37 | 3 |
| 2018–19 | Milton Keynes Dons | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 2018–19 | Dunfermline Athletic | 12 | 2 | 14 | 0 |
| 2019–20 | Greenock Morton | 13 | 6 | 19 | 1 |
| 2020–21 | Greenock Morton | 13 | 11 | 24 | 5 |
| 2021–22 | Greenock Morton | 31 | 7 | 38 | 9 |
| 2022–23 | Greenock Morton | 35 | 6 | 41 | 12 |
| 2023–24 | Greenock Morton | 33 | 12 | 45 | 17 |
| 2024–25 | Livingston | 33 | 15 | 48 | 19 |
| 2025–26 | Livingston | 8 | 5 | 13 | 4 |
| Club | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Kilmarnock | 44 | 4 |
| Dundee United | 16 | 2 |
| Partick Thistle | 8 | 2 |
| Heart of Midlothian | 19 | 2 |
| Milton Keynes Dons | 57 | 5 |
| Dunfermline Athletic | 14 | 0 |
| Greenock Morton | 167 | 44 |
| Livingston | 61 | 23 |
| Total | 386 | 82 |
International statistics
Muirhead represented Scotland at various youth international levels but did not earn any senior caps. His youth career spanned from under-15 to under-19, where he accumulated 18 appearances and scored 9 goals in total.[56][15] The table below details his youth international statistics by age group, highlighting key competitions and overall outcomes for Scotland in those tournaments.| Age Group | Caps | Goals | Key Competitions and Outcomes |
|---|---|---|---|
| U15 | 2 | 0 | International Challenge Matches (non-competitive friendlies; no major tournament progression)[56] |
| U16 | 3 | 0 | International Challenge Matches (preparatory fixtures; Scotland focused on development without qualification events)[56] |
| U17 | 7 | 6 | UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifiers (2012/13; Scotland topped group but eliminated in elite round, failing to qualify for finals)[15] |
| U18 | 1 | 0 | International Challenge Matches (limited exposure; no qualification tournaments at this level during his involvement)[56] |
| U19 | 5 | 3 | UEFA European Under-19 Championship qualifiers (2014/15; Scotland advanced from group but lost in elite round, missing finals; one goal nominated for UEFA Goal of the Season)[47] |
| Total | 18 | 9 | Youth levels only; no senior appearances[56] |