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Fullname: Stephen Pearson
aka: Peero, Pearo
Born: 2 October 1982
Birthplace: Lanark, Scotland
Signed: 9 January 2004 (£350k from Motherwell)
Left: 11 January 2007 (£750k to Derby)
Position: Midfielder
Debut: Celtic 3-0 Motherwell, League, 20 Sep 2003
Internationals: Scotland
International Caps: 10
International Goals: 0
Biog
Lanark-born Stephen Pearson signed for Celtic from Motherwell in January of 2004 for a fee of £350k [BBC]
Injuries repeatedly hampered the player in his quest to be a regular, but his all round ability wasn’t the best with at times poor to keep possession and a poor first touch. However, he more than made up for these deficiencies with other qualities, especially with commitment (“dig“).
Possibly his best game was against Hearts in 2006 when Celtic seemed down and out, and he came on as a sub and turned it, completing an improbable turnaround from having been two nil down to win 3-2, marked by many as possibly the best game under Gordon Strachan (domestically at least). Pearson scored the first, with McManus scoring two at the death, but Pearson was the Man of the Match, and anytime his name is mentioned this game is brought up. A fabulous performance that sticks in the mind.
He went on to score the third goal against Benfica in the group stages of the 2006–07 Champions League, to take the score to 3–0. He described this goal as “the moment of my career”, and he deserved the plaudits that came with the goal.
However, he was to remain mostly a benchwarmer but did get many games out of it, although after a while it does becoming frustrating. The tag of a ‘supersub‘ can be quite unintentionally annoying. He possibly deserved more starts.
Another thing that will stick in the mind with Pearson was a silly escapade in Ireland with John Hartson (BBJ). The pair of them were at an Irish Celtic supporters do, and were filmed (via a poor quality mobile phone camera film) allegedly joining in with the add-ons to “Fields of Athenry” song (not proven). Much ado about nothing in all this, but the silly boy should have been more careful in the company and situations he gets himself in.
After being unable to hold a regular place down in the first team, Stephen Pearson was transferred to Derby for £750k on 11th Jan 2007 [BBC].
Possibly could have stayed and been a great squad player but credit to him. All the best to him (he married a former Ms Scotland, so life must have been good).
Post-Celtic
After a long spell with Derby, he moved in time to various clubs, including a spell in the new Indian Super League, playing for Kerala Blasters and then also Atletico Kolkata, where he won the Indian Super League with the latter in 2016.
He ended up in time back at Motherwell (in two spells), and despite not reaching the heights, he played a part in what was to be one of the most important games in Scotland domestically for many years outwith of Celtic.
In May 2015, Motherwell were playing TheRangers in the Scottish Premiership playoffs, the winner being awarded with promotion place to the top tier for the next season. TheRangers were desperate after years in the outback, and had suffered a very humiliating season just past. They were the bookies favourite, yet it all didn’t go to plan.
Motherwell won 6-1 in aggregate, with Pearson playing very well and setting up the important third goal in the first match that really sealed it.
Alongside two other ex-Celts, the trio put TheRangers to the sword and humiliated them. For that alone, Stephen Pearson became a hero not just in Lanarkshire but across much of Scotland. The schadenfreude flowed freely.
He wrapped up his senior career in 2017.
Playing Career
| APPEARANCES (subs) |
LEAGUE | SCOTTISH CUP | LEAGUE CUP | EUROPE | TOTAL |
| 2003-04 | 16(1) | 4 (1) | 0 (0) | 5 (1) | 25 (3) |
| Goals: | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| 2004-05 | 1 (7) | 0 (0) | 1 (0) | 0 (0) | 2 (7) |
| Goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2005-06 | 2 (16) | 1 (0) | 0 (1) | 0 (0) | 3 (17) |
| Goals | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 2006-07 | 3 (9) | 0 (0) | 2 (0) | 1 (3) | 6 (12) |
| Goals | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Total |
22 (33) |
5 (1) |
3 (1) |
6 (4) |
36 (39) |
| Goals |
6 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
7 |
Honours with Celtic
- 2003-04
