Shaun Rooney


Shaun Antony Rooney is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone. Rooney has previously played for Queen's Park, Dunfermline Athletic, York City, Queen of the South and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Career

Queen's Park

Rooney was born in Bellshill, North Lanarkshire. Rooney started his career playing youth football with Bellshill Boys Club and Dundee United, before signing with Scottish League Two club Queen's Park in July 2013. Rooney's first-team debut came shortly after signing for the club, in a Scottish Challenge Cup defeat against Ayr United at Hampden Park. During the 2013–14 season, Rooney made 11 appearances for Queen's Park. His breakthrough season came in 2014–15, when he played in 30 matches, scoring his first goal on 15 November 2014 with a header against Elgin City in a 4–1 win. Rooney's impressive performances for Queen's Park saw him awarded the club's Young Player of the Year and also being named in the PFA Scotland Scottish League Two Team of the Year.

Dunfermline Athletic

The start of 2015–16 saw Rooney go on trial with both Hearts and St Mirren, however it was Dunfermline Athletic that he eventually signed with. Rooney appeared initially on trial with Dunfermline in August 2015 and was a named substitute against Peterhead and Stranraer, replacing Lewis Martin in defence against Stranraer. His debut after signing for the club came as a first half substitute against Ayr United, replacing Callum Fordyce after the Dunfermline captain was injured. Rooney's first goal for Dunfermline came against Stenhousemuir in December 2015, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 victory at East End Park. He made 14 appearances and scored one goal as Dunfermline won the Scottish League One title in 2015–16.

York City

Rooney joined newly relegated National League club York City on 23 May 2016 on a two-year contract. On 21 May 2017, Rooney came on as a 75th-minute substitute as York beat Macclesfield Town 3–2 at Wembley Stadium in the 2017 FA Trophy Final. Rooney completed 2016–17 with 38 appearances and one goal in all competitions while York were relegated to the National League North with a 21st-place finish in the table.

Queen of the South

Rooney signed for Scottish Championship club Queen of the South on 9 June 2017 on a one-year contract.

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

On 25 April 2018, Rooney signed a pre-contract agreement to join Scottish Championship club Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 1 June 2018 upon the expiration of his contract at Queen of the South. He made his debut on 14 July, starting in a 2–0 home win over Cove Rangers in the Scottish League Cup. He scored his first goal for Inverness on 1 September with a 51st-minute header from Tom Walsh's cross in a 3–0 away win over Dunfermline in the league.

Career statistics

Honours

Dunfermline Athletic
York City
Individual