Quinn, Rocco

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Quinn, Rocco - Kerrydale Street

Fullname: Rocco Quinn
Born: 7 Sep 1986
Birthplace: Hamilton, Scotland
Signed: 2004
Position: Midfield/Striker
Internationals: Scotland U-21

Biog

Rocco Quinn first made an appearance as an 11 year old selected for the U-13 Academy team in season 1999-00. He signed a pre-contract agreement with terms to follow during season 2001-02 and was given a full professional contract in June 2002.

He made his way through the youth ranks and there was promise. Through 2002-03 he played with the U-17 Academy team as well as for Scotland U-17’s. In season 2003-04 he not only made his first U-19 appearances but in the latter half of the season moved up to the U-21 squad and began to feature as a regular with the team. His contract was also extended to June 2006. At the start of 2004-05 he was given a first team squad number, 38, making the bench in the game against Dundee on 11th September, 2004. He gained one further bench spot during the season but played throughout with the U-21’s where he commonly was played not as a midfielder but up front as a striker. His preference was for a central midfield berth. His contract was extended to June 2008.
With Gordon Strachan now managing the club, a further three bench spots followed through 2005-06 and he also played in four friendly games that season at Arbroath (A), Coventry (A), and as a sub in both Testimonial games at the end of the season against Manchester Utd and Newcastle Utd.Having made representative team appearances in 05/06 the following season should have been the make or break season for Rocco.
He was taken on the pre-season tour to the States and made the bench in the first two games and came on as a sub for Craig Beattie in the third and scored a goal. On return to Scotland he again came on as a sub in the 2 home Friendlies against Everton (for Kenny Miller) and Manchester Utd (for Maciej Zurawski). He was aslo selected to go to Japan for the one off game against Yokohama Marinos where he subbed Nakamura. With all the sub appearances it was clear that he was in contention for the first team and most of his training was done with the first team squad. But like many he fell betwixt and between – and ended up playing the first part of the season with the U-21’s. In January he sought a loan and went to Kilmarnock in early January seeing out the remainder of the season with the Ayrshire side making 7 first team appearances. He was played on the right side of midfield at Kilmarnock and was ‘found out’ a few times.

Another season, another chance? He wasn’t taken on pre-season to Switzerland by Strachan and after playing with a Celtic Select XI and 2 Reserve games he was loaned out to St Johnstone on 31st August 2007 for the rest of the season. He did well at St Johnstone under Owen Coyle before Coyle left for Burnley . With Derek McInnes in charge St Johnstone tried to sign him on a permanent deal in January but Celtic wanted too much money. However he was allowed to return for the rest of the season and ended up making 24 first team appearances and scoring 6 goals.

Rocco was out of contract at the start of the 2008-09 season and signing monthly deals. He spent most of his last season out on loan to Livingston till January making 18 appearances before his loan was transferred to Hamilton. He made 4 appearances and scored 1 goal.

Out of contract at Celtic, Hamilton were not prepared to offer him a full time deal. During the closed season he settled on joining Gordon Chisholm’s Queen of the South and signed a 2 year contract. Chisholm was also prepared to play him in his favoured central midfield berth.

Rocco Quinn was one of those extremely talented youths and his signing for the Academy in 1999 was considered something of a coup with many clubs chasing his signature. Despite a good record for the Reserves from an early age, Rocco Quinn was unable to make the break through to the first team. An doubtedly talented midfield player he was played consistently out of position both at Celtic and in the loan periods he spent out at clubs enjoying real success only at St Johnstone. Here too circumstances robbed him of a chance when Owen Coyle moved on and then Celtic refused to let him move on a free. Less successful loans followed to Livingston and Hamilton.

He now has the chance at Queen of the South in his favoured position and under a good manager with a track record for bringing out the best in his players.

We wish him all the very best for the future.

Playing Career

Season Club and Appearances
1999-2002 Celtic Pro Youth Academy; worked his way up through the teams for U-13’s upwards
2002-2003 Celtic Academy, U-17’s
2003-2004 Celtic U-19’s and U-21’s
2004-2005 Celtic U-21’s plus 2 bench spots in first team games
2005-2006 Celtic U-21’s , 4 representative Friendlies plus 2 bench spots in first team games
2006-2007 Celtic Reserves, 4 representative Friendlies plus 2 bench spots in first team games
Kilmarnock (loan) 19/01/2007 – 14/05/2007 7 apps.; 0 goals
2007-2008 Celtic Reserves
St Johnstone (loan) 31/08/2007 – 03/04/2008 24 apps.; 6 goals
2008 – 2009 Celtic Reserves
Livingston (loan) 01/08/2008 – 01/01/2008 18 apps.; 1 goal
Hamilton Academicals 01/01/2009 – 31/05/2009 (short term contract) 4 apps.; 1 goal
2009-2010 Queen of the South, 2-year contract to 31/05/11

Honours with Celtic

Reserve League Winners: 2003-2004, 2004-2005, 2005-2006, 2006-2007

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