Paul Hartley: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 00:20, 30 April 2006

Revision as of 19:55, 4 May 2006

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Hartley started his career at [[Hamilton Academical F.C.|Hamilton Academical]] in 1994, where he spent two seasons. [[Millwall F.C.|Milwall]] paid £400,000 to gain his services in 1996 and he spent one season there, concurrently playing for the [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] U21 team. He returned to Scotland in 1997, when he joined [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]] for £150,000, before joining [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] in 1998, whom he helped win the [[Scottish First Division|First Division]] in 1999/2000. He joined [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] in 2000 but was unable to stop them being relegated from the Premier League.

During his time at St Johnstone, Paul reinvented himself as a central midfielder, having previously played mostly as a peripheral winger. This change of position coincided with a significant upturn in Hartley's performances and he returned to top-level competition in 2003, signing for Hearts on a free transfer when his contract in [[Perth]] expired. Revelling in his new role, Hartley continued to improve at [[Tynecastle]], helping Hearts to third place in the Premier League in 2003/04 and staringstarring in their subsequent [[UEFA Cup]] run.

In January 2005, [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] attempted to buy Hartley, however their £300,000 offer was considered significantly below Hearts valuation and was quickly rejected. Hartley has since signed an improved contract with Hearts.