Martin Hardie
Encyclopedia
Martin Hardie is a Scottish
association football midfielder
who currently plays for Dunfermline Athletic
.
Upon joining his previous club, St. Johnstone, Hardie was suspended for the opening game of the 2006–07 season. He marked his debut for the club just three days later with a goal in a 3–1 win over East Fife in the League Cup
. On January 27, 2007, Hardie scored late winner for second-placed St. Johnstone against top-of-the-table Gretna
at McDiarmid Park. The win closed the gap between the two teams to nine points, as Saints pushed Gretna to the last day in the championship race. Hardie was named Division One's Player of the Month for March 2007. Hardie also scored Saints' only goal in a 2–1 defeat against Celtic
in a Scottish Cup
semi final played in April 2007.
During a Scottish Cup
semi final against Rangers
in April 2008, a late challenge by Hardie damaged Steven Naismith
's cruciate ligament
. Hardie apologised to Naismith, who had been his teammate at Kilmarnock
, for the tackle after the game.
Since signing for Dunfermline, Hardie has scored 8 goals for them as they won the Scottish First Division
. These included a vital last minute goal against Ross County in the 1-0 win, and two goals to beat Raith Rovers
2-1 in a title deciding game. He opened his second season account with Dunfermline with a 30-yard top corner free-kick. It came in the last minute against Inverness to gain a point and further demonstrated his prowess as a set piece specialist.
Martin has become somewhat of a cult hero with The Pars' supporters and is commonly known as Big Mad Mental Martin Hardie.
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...
association football midfielder
Midfielder
A midfielder is an association football position. Some midfielders play a more defensive role, while others blur the boundaries between midfielders and forwards. The number of midfielders a team uses during a match may vary, depending on the team's formation and each individual player's role...
who currently plays 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....
.
Upon joining his previous club, St. Johnstone, Hardie was suspended for the opening game of the 2006–07 season. He marked his debut for the club just three days later with a goal in a 3–1 win over East Fife 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...
. On January 27, 2007, Hardie scored late winner for second-placed St. Johnstone against top-of-the-table Gretna
Gretna F.C.
Gretna Football Club was a Scottish football club that represented the town of Gretna, Dumfries and Galloway, close to the border between England and Scotland...
at McDiarmid Park. The win closed the gap between the two teams to nine points, as Saints pushed Gretna to the last day in the championship race. Hardie was named Division One's Player of the Month for March 2007. Hardie also scored Saints' only goal in a 2–1 defeat against Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
in a Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
semi final played in April 2007.
During a Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
semi final against Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
in April 2008, a late challenge by Hardie damaged Steven Naismith
Steven Naismith
Steven John Naismith is a Scottish association footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League club Rangers and the Scotland national team.Naismith began his career with Kilmarnock in 2004...
's cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligament
Cruciate ligaments are pairs of ligaments arranged like a letter X. They occur in several joints of the body, such as the knee...
. Hardie apologised to Naismith, who had been his teammate at Kilmarnock
Kilmarnock F.C.
Kilmarnock Football Club is a Scottish football team based in the town of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. Founded in 1869, "Killie" is the oldest club currently in the Scottish Premier League. Home matches are played at Rugby Park...
, for the tackle after the game.
Since signing for Dunfermline, Hardie has scored 8 goals for them as they won the Scottish First Division
Scottish Football League First Division
The Irn-Bru Scottish Football League First Division Championship is the highest division of the Scottish Football League and the second highest in the Scottish football league system....
. These included a vital last minute goal against Ross County in the 1-0 win, and two goals to beat Raith Rovers
Raith Rovers F.C.
Raith Rovers Football Club is a Scottish professional football club based in Kirkcaldy, Fife. They are members of the Scottish Football League, currently playing in the First Division, having secured promotion from the Second Division as champions in 2009. Rovers have won one national trophy, the...
2-1 in a title deciding game. He opened his second season account with Dunfermline with a 30-yard top corner free-kick. It came in the last minute against Inverness to gain a point and further demonstrated his prowess as a set piece specialist.
Martin has become somewhat of a cult hero with The Pars' supporters and is commonly known as Big Mad Mental Martin Hardie.