Kevin Rutkiewicz
Encyclopedia
Kevin Rutkiewicz is a Scottish
professional football
er of Polish origin, currently playing for Dunfermline Athletic
.
, he played mainly in the reserves. He made his professional debut in November 1999 in a 2–0 loss at Hibs
and scored his first goal against Edinburgh's other club, Hearts
, the following season.
Rutkiewicz' breakthrough season came in 2002–03 when he played in the majority of the Dons
' games between October and February.
's first signing for the Perth
club in June 2004. He scored his first goal for Saints in a 3–0 win over Queen of the South
in the league cup
two months into his St. Johnstone career.
He signed a new two-year contract at the end of 2005–06, but missed all of 2006–07 due to an injury.
In his first game back, on 11 August 2007, he scored a goal in Saints' 2–2 draw with Stirling Albion
at McDiarmid Park
.
As of the 2008–09 season, Kevin has been made club captain after the previous captain, Kevin James, suffered injury problems and dropped out of the first team.
In March of the 2008–09 season he received the Scottish First Division Player of the Month Award for a string of solid performances that helped the team maintain their lead at the top of the league table.
Towards the end of the 2008–09 season Kevin caused a trend with the Saints fans when he grew a very rugged looking beard and said that he would not shave it off until the team won the league. Many fans went along with this and either grew beards or wore fake beards to both home and away matches. He eventually shaved the beard off just before the last home league game of the season in which Saints clinched the Scottish First Division title in a 3–1 win over Greenock Morton.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
professional football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
er of Polish origin, currently playing for Dunfermline Athletic
Dunfermline Athletic F.C.
Dunfermline Athletic Football Club are a Scottish football team based in Dunfermline, Fife, commonly known as just Dunfermline. They currently compete in the Scottish Premier League....
.
Aberdeen
It was at Aberdeen that Rutkiewicz began his professional career after joining from junior side Larkhall Thistle. In his six years at PittodriePittodrie Stadium
Pittodrie Stadium is an all-seated football stadium situated in the Scottish city of Aberdeen. It was first used in 1899 and from 1903 has been the home of Aberdeen Football Club...
, he played mainly in the reserves. He made his professional debut in November 1999 in a 2–0 loss at Hibs
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
and scored his first goal against Edinburgh's other club, Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
, the following season.
Rutkiewicz' breakthrough season came in 2002–03 when he played in the majority of the Dons
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
' games between October and February.
St.Johnstone
He became then St. Johnstone manager John ConnollyJohn Connolly (Scottish footballer)
John Connolly is a Scottish former internationalist association footballer who later worked as a football manager.Connolly played for St. Johnstone of Perth, Everton, Birmingham City, Newcastle United, Hibernian, Gateshead and Blyth Spartans during an 18-year playing career. He earned one full...
's first signing for the Perth
Perth, Scotland
Perth is a town and former city and royal burgh in central Scotland. Located on the banks of the River Tay, it is the administrative centre of Perth and Kinross council area and the historic county town of Perthshire...
club in June 2004. He scored his first goal for Saints in a 3–0 win over Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
in the league cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
two months into his St. Johnstone career.
He signed a new two-year contract at the end of 2005–06, but missed all of 2006–07 due to an injury.
In his first game back, on 11 August 2007, he scored a goal in Saints' 2–2 draw with Stirling Albion
Stirling Albion F.C.
Stirling Albion F.C. are a Scottish football club currently playing in the Scottish Second Division. The club are nicknamed The Binos . They play at Doubletree Dunblane Stadium in Stirling, on the outskirts of the city near the River Forth...
at McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park
McDiarmid Park is a football stadium in Perth, Scotland, the home ground of St. Johnstone FC. It has an all-seated capacity of 10,673.-History:...
.
As of the 2008–09 season, Kevin has been made club captain after the previous captain, Kevin James, suffered injury problems and dropped out of the first team.
In March of the 2008–09 season he received the Scottish First Division Player of the Month Award for a string of solid performances that helped the team maintain their lead at the top of the league table.
Towards the end of the 2008–09 season Kevin caused a trend with the Saints fans when he grew a very rugged looking beard and said that he would not shave it off until the team won the league. Many fans went along with this and either grew beards or wore fake beards to both home and away matches. He eventually shaved the beard off just before the last home league game of the season in which Saints clinched the Scottish First Division title in a 3–1 win over Greenock Morton.