Jim O’Brien



Jim O'BrienHighly rated as a youth player, Winger Jim O’Brien started his football career with Celtic but he failed to make the leap from reserve football into the first team fold in Glasgow and his first taste of the senior game came when he was loaned to Dunfermline Athletic who were struggling against relegation in 2007, he scored one goal in his spell at East End Park and this came in a match against Motherwell where the Pars romped to a 4-1 victory. The following season he had another loan spell, but this time with Dundee United whom he joined in January 2008, Motherwell had actually been interested in adding him to their squad but ultimately he opted for Tannadice.

Mark McGhee did however manage to sign Jim on a permanent transfer in August 2008 when he signed a two year contract, upon his departure from Celtic where he failed to make a first team appearance. O’Brien would make his debut as a substitute in the opening day of the 2008/09 season as the Steelmen travelled through to Tynecastle, but the Jambos would record the 3-2 triumph.

Jim’s early career at Fir Park proved to be a real struggle as he swiftly drifted out of the team, ‘Well boss McGhee stated the youngster still had a lot to learn. It wasn’t until the 27th December until he made his first start for the club, he made an immediate impression putting in a fantastic performance as the side beat Inverness CT 3-2. It was from this point that O’Brien didn’t look back as he would go on to become a permanent fixture in the squad.

He had the mould of a traditional winger, he made darting runs, tricks in abundance, great work rate and a tremendous engine, his ability to excite the fans quickly made him a popular player.

After a consistent season in 2009/10 where he enjoyed playing in Europe and helping the club to a top 6 finish in the league as well as being named in the PFA Scotland team of the year, a number of SPL and English sides were eager to temp Jim away. It was with Barnsley he eventually signed for who were playing in the English Championship. At Fir Park, O’Brien had made over 70 appearances scoring four goals.

Later in his career he would also serve Coventry City, Scunthorpe United, Shrewsbury Town before he made a return to Scotland to join Ross County.

At U19 and U21 level, Jim had been capped by the Republic of Ireland but he eventually switched his allegiance back to the county of his birth, despite this he would never gain an international cap for Scotland.

Name:
James John O’Brien
Height:
6′
Weight:
Date of Birth:
28th September 1987
Place of Birth:
Alexandria, Vale of Leven
Position:
Winger
Nationality:
Irish

Football Career:

Celtic 2005 2008
Dunfermline Athletic (Loan) 2007
Dundee United (Loan) 2008
Motherwell 2008 2010
Barnsley 2010 2014
Coventry City 2014 2016
Scunthorpe United (Loan) 2016
Shrewsbury Town 2016 2017
Ross County (Loan) 2017
Ross County 2017 2018
Bradford City 2018 2019
Notts County 2019

Well Career:

Apps Goals
League:
48 (16) 4
Scottish Cup:
4 0
League Cup:
2 0
Other:
5 (1) 0
Total:
59 (17) 4