Former Hearts star announces retirement as Jambos to commemorate service this weekend
The current Motherwell and former Rangers man has decided to hang up his boots
Former Hearts midfielder Andy Halliday has decided to call time on his playing career at the end of the season, aged 34.
The Motherwell man spent four years in Gorgie, scoring 13 goals in 109 appearance for Hearts, two of which came in the famous Edinburgh derby, when his brace helped them defeat Hibs 3-1 at Tynecastle in 2022. As Hearts travel to Fir Park on Saturday for their league encounter, both sides will come together to thank Halliday for his service.
He earned his first professional contract at Livingston before moving south of the border to Championship Middlesbrough. After five years at the Riverside he would make the switch to Bradford City, before joining his boyhood club Rangers in 2015. At the time the Light Blues were battling it out with Hearts in the Scottish Championship.
Halliday won the second tier twice in his career with both Rangers and Hearts, two clubs where he is still fondly remembered to this day. More recently, he has struggled for minutes in a thriving Motherwell squad, but has been an integral part of Jens Berthel Askou’s leadership group in their bid for European football. He’s now decided the time is right to call time on his 18-year playing career.
Andy Halliday retires from professional football
Via a Motherwell statement, the midfielder said: “I feel that time is right for me to step away from the playing side of the sport I adore. There have been some ups and downs along the way, but when I look back on my career, I have zero regrets. So many players may not get to experience some of the things I’ve managed over the years, and for that, I’m grateful.
“Being a footballer isn’t easy. It’s required a lot of sacrifice over the years, which is all part of what I signed up for, but for my loved ones, I owe them my deepest thank you. I simply wouldn’t have been able to get to where I got to without them. Their support has been incredible on this journey, and I don’t know what I would have done without them all.”
“I want to thank my teammates and staff at Livingston, Middlesbrough, Walsall, Blackpool, Bradford City, Rangers, Hearts and Motherwell for being a part of my journey. I’ve met some friends for life through this sport, and at every club I hold the fondest of memories that will stick with me. Thank you.”
Retirement ‘no distraction’ for Jambos clash
Despite the emotional declaration, Halliday insists that his full focus is still on matters in Lanarkshire, starting with Saturday night’s clash against the Jambos. Given their far superior goal difference over Hibs, a win for the hosts would all but secure fourth place and would give them European football for the first time in five years.
He continued: “Despite this announcement and my appreciation for all the kind messages I’ve received recently, I don’t want any distractions for the boys as they look to finish this incredible season on a high. We’re all desperate to close out as strongly as possible and gather as many points as we can, starting tomorrow against Hearts. Thank you to the Motherwell fans for their support all season long, and let’s get stuck into these last three games.”
Motherwell also paid tribute their experienced campaigner after as his ‘wonderful’ playing career draws to a close. They said: “Bringing the curtain down on a wonderful career. Andy Halliday will officially retire from playing professional football at the end of the current season.”