Andrew Driver

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Andrew Driver
Personal information
Full name Andrew David Driver
Date of birth 20 November 1987 (1987-11-20) (age 24)
Place of birth Saddleworth, Oldham, England
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Playing position Left Winger
Club information
Current club Heart of Midlothian
Number 11
Senior career*
Years Team Apps† (Gls)†
2006– Heart of Midlothian 108 (16)
National team‡
2009 England U21 1 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 29 December 2011.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 29 June 2009

Andrew David Driver (born 20 November 1987) is a professional footballer who plays for Scottish Premier League team Hearts as a left winger. He has represented Scotland at schoolboy level and England, where he was born, for the under-21 side.

Contents

[edit] Club career

[edit] Hearts

Driver was born in Saddleworth, Oldham, Greater Manchester, but moved to Gullane, East Lothian at the age of eleven.[1] He began playing for Hutchison Vale AFC,[2] from where he joined the Hearts youth academy.

He first made his mark on Hearts' first team during a pre-season tour of Austria in 2006, where he started all three friendlies, creating four goals in the process with his direct play and crossing ability. In August 2006 Driver signed a five-year extension to his contract with Hearts, committing him to the club until 2011. He made his home debut in the league on 26 August 2006 against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, coming on as a substitute with 15 minutes to go and scoring four minutes later.[3] Driver also scored a free kick in a 3–1 victory over Celtic at Celtic Park on 29 April 2007.[4] In July 2008 Driver signed an amended contract with the club for another five years committing himself to the club until 2013.[5]

Driver was the subject of two bids totalling £500,000 from Championship club Burnley in the summer of 2008, which was rejected by Hearts.[6] Coventry City too made a £1 million bid in the 2009 January transfer window, which was also rejected. On 6 July, the BBC reported that Burnley had opened signing talks with Hearts.[7] Joop Munsterman the FC Twente CEO reported on RVT Oost that Hearts had turned down a £3m offer for Driver.[8] In all five clubs enquired about his availability including Chelsea.[9]

Since the Summer of 2010 Driver's appearances were limited due to injury.[10] A bad knee injury needed surgery[11] and was followed by a thigh injury suffered during a bounce match to regain fitness.[12] In May 2011 he had to undergo a further knee operation.[13]

In his first appearance on his return from Injury Driver made his European debut against Paks in the Europa League scoring the third goal in their 4-1 win.[14] Despite being fit[15] Driver only appeared in seven of the first 20 competitive appearances under new manager Paulo Sergio and a loan deal was considered,[16] but did not come to fruition as Hearts were seeking a fee for the loan.[17]

On 16 December the press reported that Driver was due to hand in a transfer request[18] as he no longer wished to play under new manager Paulo Sergio.[19] The following day he was included in the squad as a substitute to face Dunfermline but was dropped after confirming to Sergio that he did not wish to play under him.[20] Despite this Driver was a 62nd minute substitute against Motherwell the following weekend replacing David Templeton.[21]

[edit] International career

Driver was previously a Scotland schoolboy international,[22] scoring a goal in a 2–1 Victory Shield defeat by England on 22 November 2002.

England U21 manager Stuart Pearce called the uncapped Driver up for the 2009 European Championships. He made his debut and only appearance at the tournament in the 1–1 draw against Germany on 22 June 2009 during the group stages.

He was thought to be eligible to play for the Scotland senior team because of the new residency ruling recently introduced.[23][24] He was not called up by then-manager George Burley as Burley stated that it was Driver's choice to officially make himself available for selection.[25] On 4 February 2010, Driver committed his international future to Scotland after face-to-face talks with Scotland manager Craig Levein.[26] Only one week after opting to represent Scotland, the Scottish FA informed Driver he was not eligible to play for the national team, as he had not been schooled in Scotland for the requisite period of time.[27] This rule was subsequently altered to allow Driver to play for Scotland,[28] although he is yet to do so.

[edit] Career Statistics

As of 29 December 2011[29][30]
Club statistics
Club Season League Scottish Cup League Cup Europe Total
App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals App Goals
Hearts 2006-07 20 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 22 3
Hearts 2007-08 25 5 1 0 3 0 0 0 29 5
Hearts 2008-09 29 5 2 0 0 0 0 0 31 5
Hearts 2009-10 12 3 0 0 2 0 0 0 14 3
Hearts 2010-11 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 14 0
Hearts 2011-12 8 0 0 0 1 0 2 1 11 1
Total 107 16 5 0 6 0 2 1 120 17

[edit] Personal awards and achievements

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Andrew Driver receives Scotland eligibility boost". BBC Sport. Briitsh Broadcasting Corporation. 9 June 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/8731562.stm. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  2. ^ "Andy Driver just another product of incredible Hutchison Vale youth set-up". Daily Record. 13 October 2009. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/scotland/2009/10/13/andy-driver-just-another-product-of-incredible-hutchison-vale-youth-set-up-86908-21743408/. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  3. ^ "Hearts 4-1 Inverness CT". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 26 August 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/5284746.stm. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  4. ^ "Celtic 1-3 Hearts". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 April 2007. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/6598847.stm. Retrieved 29 December 2011. 
  5. ^ "Driver's delight". Heart of Midlothian F.C.. 30 July 2008. http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20080730/drivers-delight_2241384_1354729. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  6. ^ Burnley fail in latest attempt to snap up Driver Sky Sports, 14 June 2008
  7. ^ "Burnley contact Hearts for Driver". BBC Sport. 2009-07-06. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/8135884.stm. Retrieved 2009-07-07. 
  8. ^ "Andrew Driver gevolgd door Twente" (in Dutch). fctwente.net. http://www.fctwente.net/home_nieuws.php?berichtID=2597. 
  9. ^ "Chelsea join race to sign Hearts star Driver". Scotsman. 8 June 2010. http://www.scotsman.com/sport/chelsea_join_race_to_sign_hearts_star_driver_1_1244026. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  10. ^ "Hearts' Andrew Driver relishes chance to get back in the fast lane". The Guardian. 13 August 2011. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/aug/13/hearts-andrew-driver-europa-league. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  11. ^ "Hearts ace Andy Driver undergoes cryotherapy to end injury hell". Daily Record. 2 November 2010. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/hearts/2010/11/03/hearts-ace-andy-driver-undergoes-cryotherapy-to-end-injury-hell-86908-22687237/. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  12. ^ "New injury blow for Andrew Driver after being crocked during bounce match". Daily Record. 30 September 2010. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/hearts/2010/09/30/new-injury-blow-for-andrew-driver-after-being-crocked-during-bounce-match-86908-22597003/. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  13. ^ "Hearts' Andrew Driver set to undergo surgery on knee". 4 May 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13285011.stm. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  14. ^ "Hearts 4 - 1 Paks (agg 5 - 2)". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 3 August 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/14321318.stm. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  15. ^ "Raging Hearts star Andy Driver out to prove he isn't a crock". Daily Record. 22 October 2011. http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/football/spl/hearts/2011/10/22/raging-hearts-star-andy-driver-out-to-prove-he-isn-t-a-crock-86908-23506253/. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  16. ^ "SPL loan is best option for Andy Driver". Scotsman Publications. 12 November 2011. http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/football/hearts/spl_loan_is_best_option_for_andy_driver_1_1963011. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  17. ^ "Driver’s loan hopes hit by Hearts fee demands". The Scotsman. 23 November 2011. http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/other-sport/driver_s_loan_hopes_hit_by_hearts_fee_demands_1_1980673. Retrieved 18 December 2011. 
  18. ^ "Hearts' Andrew Driver to hand in transfer request". Scottish Television. 16 December 2011. http://sport.stv.tv/football/scottish-premier/hearts/288374-hearts-andrew-driver-to-hand-in-transfer-request. Retrieved 18 December 2011. 
  19. ^ "Hearts manager banishes Andrew Driver from squad and condemns his attitude". The Scotsman. 18 December 2011. http://www.scotsman.com/scotland-on-sunday/sport/football/hearts_manager_banishes_andrew_driver_from_squad_and_condemns_his_attitude_1_2014513. Retrieved 18 December 2011. 
  20. ^ "Axed Andrew Driver's Hearts future in doubt". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 December 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16231285.stm. Retrieved 18 December 2011. 
  21. ^ "Hearts 2 - 0 Motherwell". BBC Sport. BBC. 24 December 2011. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/16229691.stm. Retrieved 24 December 2011. 
  22. ^ "English-born Andrew Driver commits himself to Scotland". BBC Sport. Briitsh Broadcasting Corporation. 5 February 2010. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/heart_of_midlothian/8489589.stm. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  23. ^ "Scots could cap Driver if plan succeeds". Edinburgh Evening News. 27 February 2009. http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/topstories/Scots-could-cap-Driver-if.5023053.jp. 
  24. ^ "Driver could still play for Scots". BBC Sport. 2009-06-16. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/8103276.stm. Retrieved 2009-06-23. 
  25. ^ "Driver must confirm his Scots dream". Edinburgh Evening News. 12 October 2009. http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/football/Driver-must-confirm-his-Scots.5723950.jp. 
  26. ^ "Craig Levein convinces Hearts winger Andrew Driver to commit his international future to Scotland". The Herald. 5 February 2010. http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/more-scottish-football/craig-levein-convinces-hearts-winger-andrew-driver-to-commit-his-international-future-to-scotland-1.1003905. 
  27. ^ Andrew Driver is told he cannot switch to Scotland
  28. ^ "Andrew Driver delighted after he is finally cleared to be picked for Scotland". The Scotsman. 9 June 2010. http://www.scotsman.com/sport/andrew_driver_delighted_after_he_is_finally_cleared_to_be_picked_for_scotland_1_814807. Retrieved 21 November 2011. 
  29. ^ "Andrew Driver Soccerway Stats". Soccerway. http://www.soccerway.com/players/andrew-driver/3128/. Retrieved 18 November 2011. 
  30. ^ "Andrew Driver Soccerbase". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=35739. Retrieved 18 November 2011. 
  31. ^ "Player Awards". http://www.cbfootball.co.uk/monthlyarchive.aspx?MonthID=9&SeasonID=1. Retrieved March 3, 2011. 

[edit] External links

England squad – 2009 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship
England
Heart of Midlothian F.C. – current squad
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andrew_Driver&oldid=469351666"
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