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{{short description|Scottish footballer}}
{{lead too short|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=October 2013}}
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|11|6|df=y}}<ref name="Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013">{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=[[Headline Publishing Group|Headline]]|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=463|edition=43rd}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1986|11|6|df=y}}<ref name="Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013">{{cite book|editor1-first=Glenda|editor1-last=Rollin|editor2-first=Jack|editor2-last=Rollin|title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013|year=2012|publisher=[[Headline Publishing Group|Headline]]|location=London|isbn=978-0-7553-6356-8|page=463|edition=43rd}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Rutherglen]], Scotland
| birth_place = [[Rutherglen]], Scotland
| height = 5 ft 7 in<ref name="Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013"/>
| height = 5 ft 8in<ref name="Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013"/>
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| position = [[Midfielder]]
| currentclub = [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]]
| currentclub = [[East Kilbride F.C.|East Kilbride]] (Fitness & Condition Coach)
| clubnumber = 7
| clubnumber =
| youthyears1 =
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Westwood Rovers
| youthclubs1 = Westwood Rovers
| youthyears2 = –2003
| youthyears2 = –2003
| youthclubs2 = [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]]
| youthclubs2 = Gardenhall
| years1 = 2003–2007
| youthyears3 = 2003–2007
| youthclubs3 = [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]]
| youthyears4 = 2004
| youthclubs4 = → [[East Kilbride Thistle F.C.|East Kilbride Thistle]] (loan)
| years1 = 2004–2007
| clubs1 = [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]]
| clubs1 = [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]]
| caps1 = 95
| caps1 = 92
| goals1 = 8
| goals1 = 8
| years2 = 2004
| clubs2 = → [[East Kilbride Thistle F.C.|East Kilbride Thistle]] (loan)
| caps2 = 8
| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 2007–2011
| years3 = 2007–2011
| clubs3 = [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]
| clubs3 = [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]
Line 31: Line 31:
| years4 = 2011–2019
| years4 = 2011–2019
| clubs4 = [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]
| clubs4 = [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]
| caps4 = 253
| caps4 = 251
| goals4 = 40
| goals4 = 40
| years5 = 2017–2018
| years5 = 2017–2018
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| caps5 = 22
| caps5 = 22
| goals5 = 2
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2019&ndash;
| years6 = 2019–2020
| clubs6 = [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]]
| clubs6 = [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]]
| caps6 = 8
| caps6 = 10
| goals6 = 0
| goals6 = 0
| years7 = 2020–2022
| clubs7 = [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]]
| caps7 = 29
| goals7 = 0
| clubs8 = [[Stenhousemuir F.C.|Stenhousemuir]]
| years8 = 2022
| caps8 = 8
| goals8 = 1
|totalcaps = 525
|totalgoals = 62
| nationalyears1 = 2006
| nationalyears1 = 2006
| nationalteam1 = [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U21]]<ref>[http://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandu21/player.php?playerid=433 Craig Bryson (A Squad)] fitbastats.com. Retrieved 15 October 2013.</ref>
| nationalteam1 = [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U21]]<ref>[http://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandu21/player.php?playerid=433 Craig Bryson (A Squad)] fitbastats.com. Retrieved 15 October 2013.</ref>
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| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalcaps2 = 3
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| club-update = 00:16, 23 February 2020 (UTC)
| nationalteam-update = 4 June 2016
}}
}}
'''Craig James Bryson''' (born 6 November 1986) is a Scottish former professional [[Association football|footballer]] who played as a [[midfielder]]. Bryson is now a strength and conditioning coach with [[Kilmarnock FC Women]], in addition to owning a gym based in [[Kilmarnock]] called Total Fitness<ref name="seize">{{cite news |date=28 March 2024 |title=We are delighted that Chris McClymont and Craig Bryson have joined in partnership with the club and their gym Total Fitness Kilmarnock. |url=https://twitter.com/KilmarnockFC/status/1773286498982318106?t=P3TQgvnVXwKEbawGC8q8iw&s=19 |archive-url= |archive-date= |access-date=8 April 2024 |work=Kilmarnock FC Official X Account |publisher=Kilmarnock FC}}</ref>


Bryson began his career at [[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]] club [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]], for whom he made his professional debut in 2004. He moved to [[Scottish Premier League]] club [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] in 2007 before being bought by [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] in 2011. At Derby, Bryson twice won the club's [[Derby County F.C. Player of the Year|Player of the Year Award]] in 2012 and 2014. He was also named to the [[PFA Team of the Year|PFA Championship Team of the Year]] in 2014. He became the first Derby player to score a hat-trick against their [[Derby County F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|fierce rivals]] [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] in 116 years when he did so in a 5–0 win in March 2014.
'''Craig James Bryson''' (born 6 November 1986) is a Scottish professional [[Association football|footballer]] who plays as a [[midfielder]] for [[Scottish Premiership]] club [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]]. He plays in central midfield as a [[Midfielder#Box-to-box midfielder|box-to-box midfielder]].<ref name="seize">{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Bryson-ready-seize-second-chance/story-12738669-detail/story.html|publisher=Derby Evening Telegraph|title=Bryson is ready to seize his second chance|date=9 June 2011|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213851/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Bryson-ready-seize-second-chance/story-12738669-detail/story.html|archive-date=23 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>


Bryson was loaned to [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] during the 2017–18 season and left Derby in 2019 to sign for [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]]. After stints with [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] and [[Stenhousemuir F.C.|Stenhousemuir]], he retired from playing in September 2022. He also played in three full international matches for [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] between 2010 and 2016.
Bryson began his career at [[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]] club [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]], for whom he made his professional debut in 2004. He moved to the [[Scottish Premiership]] with [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] in 2007 before being bought by Derby County in 2011. At Derby, Bryson has twice won the club's [[Derby County F.C. Player of the Year|Player of the Year Award]] in 2012 and 2014, was named to the [[PFA Team of the Year|PFA Championship Team of the Year]] in 2014 and became the first Derby player to score a hat-trick against [[Derby County F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|fierce rivals]] [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] in 116 years, when he did so in a 5–0 win in March 2014. Bryson was loaned to [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] during the 2017&ndash;18 season, and left Derby in 2019 to sign for Aberdeen.


==Club career==
==Club career==

===Clyde===
===Clyde===


====2003–04 season====
====2003–04 season====
Born in [[Rutherglen]], Bryson began his career with non-league side Westwood Rovers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.westwoodroversfc.co.uk/club/News/view/450187|publisher=westwoodroversfc.co.uk|title=Craig Bryson called up for full Scotland Squad!|date=15 November 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> He signed a professional contract with [[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]] club [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]] at the beginning of the [[2003–04 in Scottish football|2003–04 season]]. He turned down the opportunity to sign for [[Scottish Premiership]] club [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]] because he wanted to play regular first team football and he didn't feel that he would get that at Motherwell.<ref name=fresh>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/craig-bryson-im-looking-forward-1105070|title=Craig Bryson: I'm looking forward to playing for Derby as SPL is 'stale and boring'|publisher=Daily Record|date=9 June 2011|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> He didn't make a first team appearance that season, but was loaned out to junior outfit [[East Kilbride Thistle F.C.|East Kilbride Thistle]] for the latter part of the season. He made a big impression in his time at East Kilbride, scoring two goals in eight league appearances and winning the club's Young Player of the Year award.<ref name=clydenewdeal>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/4003483.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Bryson signs new deal with Clyde|date=10 November 2004|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
Born in [[Rutherglen]], Bryson began his career with non-league side Westwood Rovers.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.westwoodroversfc.co.uk/club/News/view/450187|publisher=westwoodroversfc.co.uk|title=Craig Bryson called up for full Scotland Squad!|date=15 November 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> He signed a professional contract with [[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]] club [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]] at the beginning of the [[2003–04 in Scottish football|2003–04 season]]. He turned down the opportunity to sign for [[Scottish Premiership]] club [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]] because he wanted to play regular first-team football, and he didn't feel that he would get that at Motherwell.<ref name=fresh>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/craig-bryson-im-looking-forward-1105070|title=Craig Bryson: I'm looking forward to playing for Derby as SPL is 'stale and boring'|publisher=Daily Record|date=9 June 2011|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> He didn't make a first-team appearance that season but was loaned out to junior outfit [[East Kilbride Thistle F.C.|East Kilbride Thistle]] for the latter part of the season. He made a big impression in his time at East Kilbride, scoring two goals in eight league appearances and winning the club's Young Player of the Year award.<ref name=clydenewdeal>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/4003483.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Bryson signs new deal with Clyde|date=10 November 2004|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


====2004–05 season====
====2004–05 season====
Bryson made his first team debut for Clyde in the [[2004–05 Clyde F.C. season|2004–05 season]] in a [[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]] match against [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]] on 14 August 2004, and scored a goal after 4 minutes, in a match Clyde won 3–2.<ref name="Raith Rovers 2-3 Clyde">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/3558514.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Raith Rovers 2–3 Clyde|date=14 August 2004}}</ref> He was rewarded with a new two-year contract in November 2004<ref name=clydenewdeal/> and his good form at club level saw him called up to the [[Scotland national under-19 football team|Scotland under-19]] team for a friendly against Germany.<ref name="International call cup">{{cite news|url=http://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2004/11/23/1173/|publisher=Clyde FC website|title=International Call Up|date=23 November 2004}}</ref> In February 2004, Bryson scored in a 2–1 victory over [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]] in a [[Scottish Cup]] replay, which set up a quarter-final tie against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], the team he supported as a boy.<ref name="Clyde 2-1 Ross County">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/4265447.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Clyde 2–1 Ross County (aet)|date=15 February 2005}}</ref> Bryson started against Celtic, and thought he had scored after hitting the back of the net from a long range strike, but this goal was controversially ruled out after the referee had blown his whistle to award a free kick to Clyde. Celtic went on to win 5–0.<ref name="Clyde 0-5 Celtic">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/4298299.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Clyde 0–5 Celtic|date=27 February 2005}}</ref> Bryson continued his good form over the season, winning him Clyde's Young Player of the Year Award for [[2004–05 in Scottish football|2004–05]].<ref>[http://www.gfdb.com/Player.12771.Craig-Bryson.aspx Craig Bryson Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021074214/http://www.gfdb.com/Player.12771.Craig-Bryson.aspx |date=21 October 2013 }} gfdb.com. Retrieved 17 October 2013.</ref>
Bryson made his first team debut for Clyde in the [[2004–05 Clyde F.C. season|2004–05 season]] in a [[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]] match against [[Raith Rovers F.C.|Raith Rovers]] on 14 August 2004, and scored a goal after 4 minutes in a match Clyde won 3–2.<ref name="Raith Rovers 2-3 Clyde">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/3558514.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Raith Rovers 2–3 Clyde|date=14 August 2004}}</ref> He was rewarded with a new two-year contract in November 2004<ref name=clydenewdeal/> and his good form at club level saw him called up to the [[Scotland national under-19 football team|Scotland under-19]] team for a friendly against Germany.<ref name="International call cup">{{cite news|url=http://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2004/11/23/1173/|publisher=Clyde FC website|title=International Call Up|date=23 November 2004}}</ref> In February 2004, Bryson scored in a 2–1 victory over [[Ross County F.C.|Ross County]] in a [[Scottish Cup]] replay, which set up a quarter-final tie against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], the team he supported as a boy.<ref name="Clyde 2-1 Ross County">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/4265447.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Clyde 2–1 Ross County (aet)|date=15 February 2005}}</ref> Bryson started against Celtic and thought he had scored after hitting the back of the net from a long-range strike, but this goal was controversially ruled out after the referee blew his whistle to award a free kick to Clyde. Celtic went on to win 5–0.<ref name="Clyde 0-5 Celtic">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/4298299.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Clyde 0–5 Celtic|date=27 February 2005}}</ref> Bryson continued his good form over the season, winning Clyde's Young Player of the Year Award for [[2004–05 in Scottish football|2004–05]].<ref>[http://www.gfdb.com/Player.12771.Craig-Bryson.aspx Craig Bryson Profile] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021074214/http://www.gfdb.com/Player.12771.Craig-Bryson.aspx |date=21 October 2013 }} gfdb.com. Retrieved 17 October 2013.</ref>


====2005–06 season====
====2005–06 season====
[[File:Craigbryson.jpg|thumb|left|Bryson in January 2006]]
[[File:Craigbryson.jpg|thumb|left|Bryson in January 2006]]
During the [[2005–06 Clyde F.C. season|2005–06 season]], Bryson scored goals against both halves of the [[Old Firm]]. In September 2005, he scored Clyde's equalising goal against [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] in a [[Scottish League Cup]] tie at [[Ibrox Stadium]], in a 5–2 extra time defeat.<ref name="Rangers 5-2 Clyde (aet)">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/4260570.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Rangers 5–2 Clyde (aet)|date=20 September 2005}}</ref><ref name="Bryson proud of Clyde performance">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/4268780.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Bryson proud of Clyde performance|date=21 September 2005}}</ref> In January 2006, Bryson scored the opener in the famous 2–1 [[Scottish Cup]] win over holders [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], the game in which [[Roy Keane]] made his Celtic debut.<ref name="Clyde 2-1 Celtic">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/4584934.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Clyde 2–1 Celtic|date=8 January 2006}}</ref> Bryson nodded the ball into an open net to make it 1–0 after a cross from [[Eddie Malone]] evaded the Celtic defence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jan/09/match.clyde|publisher=The Guardian|title=Keane not amused by Celtic's circus clowns as Clyde ruin big debut|date=9 January 2006|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> The win and his performance brought him to prominence<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/scotland-rams-raider-craig-bryson-makes-his-mark-on-gordon-strachan.22338092|title=Scotland: Rams raider Craig Bryson makes his mark on Gordon Strachan|date=6 October 2013|accessdate=7 July 2014|publisher=The Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scotland-midfielder-craig-bryson-scored-3632714|title=Scotland midfielder Craig Bryson: I scored for Clyde when they beat Celtic but now I'll make it up to Gordon Strachan|date=1 June 2014|accessdate=7 July 2014|publisher=Daily Record}}</ref> and he was subsequently linked with moves to Celtic and [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]<ref name="Bryson linked with Celtic and Spurs">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/4803392.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Bryson linked with Celtic and Spurs|date=13 March 2006}}</ref> and was called up to the [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland under-21]] side.<ref name="Late call cup">{{cite news|url=http://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2006/02/27/1675/|publisher=Clyde FC website|title=Late Call Up|date=26 February 2006}}</ref>
During the [[2005–06 Clyde F.C. season|2005–06 season]], Bryson scored goals against both halves of the [[Old Firm]]. In September 2005, he scored Clyde's equalising goal against [[Rangers F.C.|Rangers]] in a [[Scottish League Cup]] tie at [[Ibrox Stadium]], in a 5–2 extra time defeat.<ref name="Rangers 5-2 Clyde (aet)">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/4260570.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Rangers 5–2 Clyde (aet)|date=20 September 2005}}</ref><ref name="Bryson proud of Clyde performance">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/4268780.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Bryson proud of Clyde performance|date=21 September 2005}}</ref> In January 2006, Bryson scored the opener in the famous 2–1 [[Scottish Cup]] win over holders [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]], the game in which [[Roy Keane]] made his Celtic debut.<ref name="Clyde 2-1 Celtic">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/4584934.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Clyde 2–1 Celtic|date=8 January 2006}}</ref> Bryson nodded the ball into an open net to make it 1–0 after a cross from [[Eddie Malone]] evaded the Celtic defence.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2006/jan/09/match.clyde|work=The Guardian|title=Keane not amused by Celtic's circus clowns as Clyde ruin big debut|date=9 January 2006|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> The win and his performance brought him to prominence<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/football/scotland-rams-raider-craig-bryson-makes-his-mark-on-gordon-strachan.22338092|title=Scotland: Rams raider Craig Bryson makes his mark on Gordon Strachan|date=6 October 2013|access-date=7 July 2014|publisher=The Herald}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scotland-midfielder-craig-bryson-scored-3632714|title=Scotland midfielder Craig Bryson: I scored for Clyde when they beat Celtic but now I'll make it up to Gordon Strachan|date=1 June 2014|access-date=7 July 2014|publisher=Daily Record}}</ref> and he was subsequently linked with moves to Celtic and [[Tottenham Hotspur F.C.|Tottenham Hotspur]]<ref name="Bryson linked with Celtic and Spurs">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/4803392.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Bryson linked with Celtic and Spurs|date=13 March 2006}}</ref> and was called up to the [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland under-21]] side.<ref name="Late call cup">{{cite news|url=http://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2006/02/27/1675/|publisher=Clyde FC website|title=Late Call Up|date=26 February 2006}}</ref>


====2006–07 season====
====2006–07 season====
In the [[2006–07 Clyde F.C. season|2006–07 season]], in October 2006, Bryson scored in a 3–1 victory over [[Greenock Morton F.C.|Greenock Morton]] in a [[Scottish Challenge Cup]] semi-final, which sent Clyde to their first major final in 48 years.<ref name="Clyde 3-1 Morton">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/5381700.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Clyde 3–1 Morton|date=27 September 2006}}</ref> Bryson started the [[2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final|final]] the following month against Ross County, which Clyde lost on penalties.<ref name="Ross County 1-1 Clyde (aet)">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/6137982.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Ross County 1–1 Clyde (aet)|date=12 November 2006}}</ref> Bryson, along with club-mate [[Neil McGregor]], was selected in the [[PFA Scotland Team of the Year|SPFA First Division Team of the Year]].<ref name="Two get rewarded">{{cite news|url=http://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2007/04/23/2067/|publisher=Clyde FC website|title=Two get rewarded|date=23 April 2007}}</ref> Bryson's contract expired at the end of the season, and in January 2007, [[Billy Davies]], then-manager of his future club Derby County, took him on a week's trial.<ref name="Trial">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/6278557.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=Derby boss impressed with Bryson|date=19 January 2007}}</ref> However, Davies decided not to sign him permanently.<ref name="Fails">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/6256637.stm|publisher=BBC News|title=Bryson fails to win move to Derby|date=26 January 2007}}</ref> In February, [[Scottish Premier League]] club [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] made an approach for Bryson<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/6391425.stm|title=Killie make approach for Bryson|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 February 2007|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> and in May, Kilmarnock manager [[Jim Jefferies (footballer)|Jim Jefferies]] confirmed that talks were ongoing.<ref name=jeffconfirms>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/6601333.stm|title=Jefferies confirms Bryson talks|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2007|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> Bryson had rejected Clyde's offer of a new contract<ref name=jeffconfirms/> and thus left Clyde at the end of the 2006–07 season, having made 114 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goals.<ref name="Farewell to Craig Bryson">{{cite news|url=http://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2007/04/27/2072/|publisher=Clyde FC website|title=Farewell to Craig Bryson|date=27 April 2007}}</ref>
In the [[2006–07 Clyde F.C. season|2006–07 season]], in October 2006, Bryson scored in a 3–1 victory over [[Greenock Morton F.C.|Greenock Morton]] in a [[Scottish Challenge Cup]] semi-final, which sent Clyde to their first major final in 48 years.<ref name="Clyde 3-1 Morton">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/5381700.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Clyde 3–1 Morton|date=27 September 2006}}</ref> Bryson started the [[2006 Scottish Challenge Cup Final|final]] the following month against Ross County, which Clyde lost on penalties.<ref name="Ross County 1-1 Clyde (aet)">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/6137982.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Ross County 1–1 Clyde (aet)|date=12 November 2006}}</ref> Bryson, along with clubmate [[Neil McGregor]], was selected for the [[PFA Scotland Team of the Year|SPFA First Division Team of the Year]].<ref name="Two get rewarded">{{cite news|url=http://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2007/04/23/2067/|publisher=Clyde FC website|title=Two get rewarded|date=23 April 2007}}</ref> Bryson's contract expired at the end of the season, and in January 2007, [[Billy Davies]], then-manager of his future club Derby County, took him on a week's trial.<ref name="Trial">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/6278557.stm|work=BBC News|title=Derby boss impressed with Bryson|date=19 January 2007}}</ref> However, Davies decided not to sign him permanently.<ref name="Fails">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/6256637.stm|work=BBC News|title=Bryson fails to win move to Derby|date=26 January 2007}}</ref> In February, [[Scottish Premier League]] club [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] approached Bryson<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/6391425.stm|title=Killie make approach for Bryson|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 February 2007|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> and in May, Kilmarnock manager [[Jim Jefferies (footballer)|Jim Jefferies]] confirmed that talks were ongoing.<ref name=jeffconfirms>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/clyde/6601333.stm|title=Jefferies confirms Bryson talks|publisher=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2007|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> Bryson had rejected Clyde's offer of a new contract<ref name=jeffconfirms/> and thus left Clyde at the end of the 2006–07 season, having made 114 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 [[Goal (sports)|goal]].<ref name="Farewell to Craig Bryson">{{cite news|url=http://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2007/04/27/2072/|publisher=Clyde FC website|title=Farewell to Craig Bryson|date=27 April 2007}}</ref>


===Kilmarnock===
===Kilmarnock===


====2007–08 season====
====2007–08 season====
Bryson signed for [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] in July 2007 on a free transfer ahead of the [[2007–08 in Scottish football|2007–08 season]].<ref name=snapup>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/6271060.stm|title=Kilmarnock snap up Clyde's Bryson|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 July 2007|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> As he was under the age of 24, Kilmarnock had to pay Clyde compensation,<ref name=snapup/> which was agreed upon between the two clubs in September.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2007/09/02/2196/#.U7tAB_ldXI8|title=Bryson Fee Agreed|publisher=clydefc.co.uk|date=2 September 2007|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> Bryson started 16 league games and came on as a substitute in 3 more, making his league debut for the club as a 71st-minute substitute against [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]] on 22 September 2007. He almost scored in the 88th minute, but his powerful shot was well held by St Mirren keeper [[Chris Smith (footballer, born 1986)|Chris Smith]] and the match finished 0–0.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7005519.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Kilmarnock 0–0 St Mirren|date=22 September 2007|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
Bryson signed for [[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]] in July 2007 on a free transfer ahead of the [[2007–08 in Scottish football|2007–08 season]].<ref name=snapup>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/6271060.stm|title=Kilmarnock snap up Clyde's Bryson|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 July 2007|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> As he was under the age of 24, Kilmarnock had to pay Clyde compensation,<ref name=snapup/> which was agreed upon between the two clubs in September.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2007/09/02/2196/#.U7tAB_ldXI8|title=Bryson Fee Agreed|publisher=clydefc.co.uk|date=2 September 2007|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> Bryson started 16 league games and came on as a substitute in 3 more, making his league debut for the club as a 71st-minute substitute against [[St Mirren F.C.|St Mirren]] on 22 September 2007. He almost scored in the 88th minute, but his powerful shot was well held by St Mirren keeper [[Chris Smith (footballer, born 1986)|Chris Smith]] and the match finished 0–0.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7005519.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|title=Kilmarnock 0–0 St Mirren|date=22 September 2007|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


He scored his first goals for the club in a 3–1 victory against [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] on 24 February 2008: the first a volley at the far post from 7 yards out in the 14th minute and the second a close-range finish from an "almost identical position" in the 75th minute. Sandwiched between his goals, he provided an assist for centre half [[Frazer Wright]], who, up for a corner at the end of the first half, headed Bryson's cross in. For his efforts, Bryson was named man of the match and won the plaudits of his manager [[Jim Jefferies (footballer)|Jim Jefferies]], who said: "Craig's whole game was terrific and if he keeps playing like that we've got a real player on our hands. It was a top performance by him and for me he was the best player on the pitch by a mile."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7257974.stm|title=Kilmarnock 3–1 Aberdeen|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 February 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/7261935.stm|title=Jefferies hails two-goal Bryson|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 February 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/kilmarnock-3-1-aberdeen-969800|title=Kilmarnock 3–1 Aberdeen|publisher=Daily Record|date=24 February 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> He scored twice more and was again named man of the match in a 4–1 win against [[Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.|Inverness Caledonian Thistle]] on 22 March. His first goal, a "terrific" 25-yard shot in the 50th minute, was followed by a 56th-minute effort that he drilled into the net via a deflection off a defender.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/young-bryson-lands-a-brace-in-thrilling-four-goal-riposte-1.833088|title=Young Bryson lands a brace in thrilling four-goal riposte|publisher=The Herald|date=22 March 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/kilmarnock-4-1-inverness-ct-kilmarnock-comeback-is-worth-waiting-for-1-1431387|title=Kilmarnock 4 – 1 Inverness CT: Kilmarnock comeback is worth waiting for|publisher=The Scotsman|date=22 March 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7306424.stm|title=Kilmarnock 4–1 Inverness CT|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 March 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
He scored his first goals for the club in a 3–1 victory against [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] on 24 February 2008: the first a volley at the far post from 7 yards out in the 14th minute and the second was a close-range finish from an "almost identical position" in the 75th minute. Sandwiched between his goals, he provided an assist for centre half [[Frazer Wright]], who, up for a corner at the end of the first half, headed Bryson's cross in. For his efforts, Bryson was named man of the match and won the plaudits of his manager [[Jim Jefferies (footballer)|Jim Jefferies]], who said: "Craig's whole game was terrific and if he keeps playing like that we've got a real player on our hands. It was a top performance by him and for me he was the best player on the pitch by a mile."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7257974.stm|title=Kilmarnock 3–1 Aberdeen|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 February 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/7261935.stm|title=Jefferies hails two-goal Bryson|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 February 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/kilmarnock-3-1-aberdeen-969800|title=Kilmarnock 3–1 Aberdeen|publisher=Daily Record|date=24 February 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> He scored twice more and was again named man of the match in a 4–1 win against [[Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.|Inverness Caledonian Thistle]] on 22 March. His first goal, a "terrific" 25-yard shot in the 50th minute, was followed by a 56th-minute effort that he drilled into the net via a deflection off a defender.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/young-bryson-lands-a-brace-in-thrilling-four-goal-riposte-1.833088|title=Young Bryson lands a brace in thrilling four-goal riposte|publisher=The Herald|date=22 March 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/kilmarnock-4-1-inverness-ct-kilmarnock-comeback-is-worth-waiting-for-1-1431387|title=Kilmarnock 4 – 1 Inverness CT: Kilmarnock comeback is worth waiting for|publisher=The Scotsman|date=22 March 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7306424.stm|title=Kilmarnock 4–1 Inverness CT|publisher=BBC Sport|date=22 March 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


====2008–09 season====
====2008–09 season====
During the [[2008–09 in Scottish football|2008–09 season]], Bryson established himself as an important first team player, making thirty-three league appearances, thirty-one of them starts. His first goal of the season came in a [[2008–09 Scottish League Cup|Scottish League Cup]] second round match against [[Brechin City F.C.|Brechin City]] on 27 August 2008. Described variously as "stunning", "unstoppable", "sublime" and "a thunderbolt", he scored the second in a 2–0 win when he received a cross from [[Garry Hay]] and flicked the ball into the top corner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/brechin-0-2-kilmarnock-kilmarnock-dig-deep-to-battle-past-brechin-1-1087631|title=Brechin 0 – 2 Kilmarnock: Kilmarnock dig deep to battle past Brechin|publisher=The Scotsman|date=28 August 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sublime-bryson-strike-secures-tie-1.888279|title=Sublime Bryson strike secures tie|publisher=The Herald|date=28 August 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7581432.stm|title=Brechin City 0–2 Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 August 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> His next two goals were late winners in successive matches: on 4 October in a 2–1 win at [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] he made a well-timed run into the box in the 82nd minute to collect a return pass from [[Donovan Simmonds]] and finish well into the bottom corner;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7647510.stm|title=Hearts 1–2 Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 October 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/oct/05/scottishpremierleague.kilmarnock|title=Bryson strikes late to lift Kilmarnock into top three|publisher=The Guardian|date=5 October 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20081004/hearts-1-kilmarnock-2_2241469_45520|title=Hearts 1–2 Kilmarnock|publisher=heartsfc.co.uk|date=4 October 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714163428/http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20081004/hearts-1-kilmarnock-2_2241469_45520|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and then on 18 October he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win at home to [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]], slipping the ball into the net at the far post in the 89th minute after a deflected shot-cum-cross from [[Jamie Hamill]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7673946.stm|title=Kilmarnock 1–0 Motherwell|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 October 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamtalk.com/match/report/978/4353584|title=Bryson earns Killie late win|publisher=Team Talk|date=18 October 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715023300/http://www.teamtalk.com/match/report/978/4353584|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Manager Jim Jefferies praised Bryson after the win over Hearts, saying his late run into the box and finish was comparable to a move by [[Colin Cameron (footballer)|Colin Cameron]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/hearts-1-kilmarnock-2-hearts-finally-broken-by-bryson-1-1438090|title=Hearts 1 Kilmarnock 2: Hearts finally broken by Bryson|publisher=The Scotsman|date=4 October 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> He was also named man of the match after the win over Motherwell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/kilmarnock-1-0-motherwell-killie-make-ten-man-well-suffer-1-1438620|title=Kilmarnock 1–0 Motherwell: Killie make ten-man Well suffer|publisher=The Scotsman|date=18 October 2008|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
During the [[2008–09 in Scottish football|2008–09 season]], Bryson established himself as an important first team player, making thirty-three league appearances, thirty-one of them starts. His first goal of the season came in a [[2008–09 Scottish League Cup|Scottish League Cup]] second round match against [[Brechin City F.C.|Brechin City]] on 27 August 2008. Described variously as "stunning", "unstoppable", "sublime" and "a thunderbolt", he scored the second in a 2–0 win when he received a cross from [[Garry Hay]] and flicked the ball into the top corner.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/brechin-0-2-kilmarnock-kilmarnock-dig-deep-to-battle-past-brechin-1-1087631|title=Brechin 0 – 2 Kilmarnock: Kilmarnock dig deep to battle past Brechin|publisher=The Scotsman|date=28 August 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sublime-bryson-strike-secures-tie-1.888279|title=Sublime Bryson strike secures tie|publisher=The Herald|date=28 August 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/7581432.stm|title=Brechin City 0–2 Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 August 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> His next two goals were late winners in successive matches: on 4 October, in a 2–1 win at the [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] he made a well-timed run into the box in the 82nd minute to collect a return pass from [[Donovan Simmonds]] and finish well into the bottom corner;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7647510.stm|title=Hearts 1–2 Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 October 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/oct/05/scottishpremierleague.kilmarnock|title=Bryson strikes late to lift Kilmarnock into top three|work=The Guardian|date=5 October 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20081004/hearts-1-kilmarnock-2_2241469_45520|title=Hearts 1–2 Kilmarnock|publisher=heartsfc.co.uk|date=4 October 2008|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714163428/http://www.heartsfc.co.uk/articles/20081004/hearts-1-kilmarnock-2_2241469_45520|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and then on 18 October, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win at home to [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]], slipping the ball into the net at the far post in the 89th minute after a deflected shot-cum-cross from [[Jamie Hamill]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/7673946.stm|title=Kilmarnock 1–0 Motherwell|publisher=BBC Sport|date=18 October 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.teamtalk.com/match/report/978/4353584|title=Bryson earns Killie late win|publisher=Team Talk|date=18 October 2008|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715023300/http://www.teamtalk.com/match/report/978/4353584|archive-date=15 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Manager Jim Jefferies praised Bryson after the win over the Hearts, saying his late run into the box and finish were comparable to a move by [[Colin Cameron (footballer)|Colin Cameron]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/hearts-1-kilmarnock-2-hearts-finally-broken-by-bryson-1-1438090|title=Hearts 1 Kilmarnock 2: Hearts finally broken by Bryson|publisher=The Scotsman|date=4 October 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> He was also named man of the match after the win over Motherwell.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/kilmarnock-1-0-motherwell-killie-make-ten-man-well-suffer-1-1438620|title=Kilmarnock 1–0 Motherwell: Killie make ten-man Well suffer|publisher=The Scotsman|date=18 October 2008|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


He was rewarded for his fine form in December 2008 with an extension to his contract that ran until the summer of 2013.<ref name = "ext contract">[http://www.scotsman.com/sport/bryson-staying-at-kilmarnock-until-2013-1-1151314 Bryson staying at Kilmarnock until 2013], ''[[The Scotsman]]'', 11 December 2008.</ref>
He was rewarded for his fine form in December 2008 with an extension to his contract that ran until the summer of 2013.<ref name = "ext contract">[http://www.scotsman.com/sport/bryson-staying-at-kilmarnock-until-2013-1-1151314 Bryson staying at Kilmarnock until 2013], ''[[The Scotsman]]'', 11 December 2008.</ref>
Line 88: Line 96:
====2009–10 season====
====2009–10 season====
[[File:Craig Bryson - 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Bryson playing for Kilmarnock in August 2009]]
[[File:Craig Bryson - 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Bryson playing for Kilmarnock in August 2009]]
During the [[2009–10 Kilmarnock F.C. season|2009–10 season]], Bryson was appointed [[Captain (association football)|captain]] by manager [[Jimmy Calderwood]]. Calderwood had originally given [[Manuel Pascali]] the armband after he took over in January 2010,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/kilmarnock/7106310/Jimmy-Calderwood-asks-his-Kilmarnock-players-to-pump-up-the-volume.html|title=Jimmy Calderwood asks his Kilmarnock players to pump up the volume|date=29 January 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014|work =Daily Telegraph}}</ref> but changed his mind shortly after and gave it to Bryson, wanting Pascali to concentrate on his football.<ref name=heartsflatter>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/hearts-link-is-flattering-but-im-happy-1058952|title=Hearts link is flattering but I'm happy at Kilmarnock, says Craig Bryson|publisher=Daily Record|date=14 May 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
During the [[2009–10 Kilmarnock F.C. season|2009–10 season]], Bryson was appointed [[Captain (association football)|captain]] by manager [[Jimmy Calderwood]]. Calderwood had originally given [[Manuel Pascali]] the armband after he took over in January 2010,<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/kilmarnock/7106310/Jimmy-Calderwood-asks-his-Kilmarnock-players-to-pump-up-the-volume.html|title=Jimmy Calderwood asks his Kilmarnock players to pump up the volume|date=29 January 2010|access-date=7 July 2014|work =Daily Telegraph}}</ref> but changed his mind shortly after and gave it to Bryson, wanting Pascali to concentrate on his football.<ref name=heartsflatter>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/hearts-link-is-flattering-but-im-happy-1058952|title=Hearts link is flattering but I'm happy at Kilmarnock, says Craig Bryson|publisher=Daily Record|date=14 May 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


Bryson ended the season with 4 league goals: a 90th minute consolation in a 2–1 defeat at home to [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] on 28 November 2009;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8382034.stm|title=Kilmarnock 1–2 Hearts|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 November 2009|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> Kilmarnock's 4th and the 7th in the match in a 4–4 draw with [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] on 30 January 2010 – a "stunning volley" that manager Jimmy Calderwood said was "fit to win any game";<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8485406.stm|title=Kilmarnock 4–4 Dundee Utd|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 January 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> the only goal in a 1–0 win over [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] on 10 February;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8505952.stm|title=Falkirk 0–1 Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 February 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> and a deflected cross that came off a [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] defender in a 3–1 defeat at [[Celtic Park]] on 27 March.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8588252.stm|title=Celtic 3–1 Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 March 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> Kilmarnock finished the season in 11th place, 2 points above Falkirk, who were relegated after a 0–0 draw at Kilmarnock on the final day of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8666163.stm|title=Kilmarnock 0–0 Falkirk|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
Bryson ended the season with 4 league goals: a 90th minute consolation in a 2–1 defeat at home to [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] on 28 November 2009;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8382034.stm|title=Kilmarnock 1–2 Hearts|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 November 2009|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> Kilmarnock's 4th and the 7th in the match in a 4–4 draw with [[Dundee United F.C.|Dundee United]] on 30 January 2010 – a "stunning volley" that manager Jimmy Calderwood said was "fit to win any game";<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8485406.stm|title=Kilmarnock 4–4 Dundee Utd|publisher=BBC Sport|date=30 January 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> the only goal in a 1–0 win over [[Falkirk F.C.|Falkirk]] on 10 February;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8505952.stm|title=Falkirk 0–1 Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=10 February 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> and a deflected cross that came off a [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] defender in a 3–1 defeat at [[Celtic Park]] on 27 March.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8588252.stm|title=Celtic 3–1 Kilmarnock|publisher=BBC Sport|date=27 March 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> Kilmarnock finished the season in 11th place, 2 points above Falkirk, who were relegated after a 0–0 draw at Kilmarnock on the final day of the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/8666163.stm|title=Kilmarnock 0–0 Falkirk|publisher=BBC Sport|date=8 May 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


====2010–11 season====
====2010–11 season====
At the end of the 2009–10 season, Bryson was linked with a move to [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]], who were managed by [[Jim Jefferies (footballer)|Jim Jefferies]], who had signed Bryson when he was manager of Kilmarnock. Bryson said: "we'll wait and see if anything materialises over the summer. Jim Jefferies signed me from Clyde and gave me my chance in the SPL and I'm grateful to him for that. I enjoyed working under him at Kilmarnock and wouldn't mind working under him again. Every player has ambitions to play at the highest level and I'm no different so we'll just wait and see if an offer comes in but I'm happy at ''Killie'' just now."<ref name="heartsflatter"/> Hearts were prepared to offer £300,000 but Kilmarnock valued Bryson at closer to £500,000 and talks between the two clubs collapsed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football.co.uk/hearts/kyle_wants_to_link_up_with_bryson_again_rss846092.shtml|title=Kyle wants to link up with Bryson again|publisher=football.co.uk|date=12 June 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/craig-bryson-unmoved-by-hearts-talk-1-818263|title=Craig Bryson unmoved by Hearts talk|publisher=The Scotsman|date=21 July 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/kilmarnock/187816-kilmarnock-reject-hearts-bryson-offer/|title=Kilmarnock reject Hearts' Bryson offer|publisher=STV Sport|date=21 July 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> Hearts turned their attention to their former midfielder [[Paul Hartley]], whose contract with English Championship club [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] was about to expire. However, they dropped their interest in Hartley after he refused to distance himself from criticism of Hearts' majority shareholder [[Vladimir Romanov]] during his first stint with the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Riccarton-3-row-ends-Hearts39.6439365.jp |title=Riccarton 3 row ends Hearts' Hartley bid |work=[[Edinburgh Evening News]] |date=26 July 2010 |accessdate=26 July 2010}}</ref> Hearts thus turned their attention back to Bryson and gave Kilmarnock a final "take-it-or-leave-it" offer, which included a "significant sell-on clause" but not an increased transfer fee. The offer was rejected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/hearts-make-final-bid-for-craig-1065232|title=Hearts make final bid for Craig Bryson after dropping interest in Paul Hartley|publisher=Daily Record|date=26 July 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> Hearts returned with two more bids on transfer deadline day, which were also rejected. Bryson said that he was "relieved the window has now closed... It's nice that other clubs want you, it shows you must be doing well, but it's not to be just now and I'll carry on doing well for Kilmarnock."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11696/6353608/bryson-welcomes-window-closure|title=Bryson welcomes window closure|publisher=Sky Sports|date=2 September 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
At the end of the 2009–10 season, Bryson was linked with a move to [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]], who were managed by [[Jim Jefferies (footballer)|Jim Jefferies]], who had signed Bryson when he was manager of Kilmarnock. Bryson said: "we'll wait and see if anything materialises over the summer. Jim Jefferies signed me from Clyde and gave me my chance in the SPL and I'm grateful to him for that. I enjoyed working under him at Kilmarnock and wouldn't mind working under him again. Every player has ambitions to play at the highest level and I'm no different so we'll just wait and see if an offer comes in but I'm happy at ''Killie'' just now."<ref name="heartsflatter"/> Hearts were prepared to offer £300,000 but Kilmarnock valued Bryson at closer to £500,000 and talks between the two clubs collapsed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football.co.uk/hearts/kyle_wants_to_link_up_with_bryson_again_rss846092.shtml|title=Kyle wants to link up with Bryson again|publisher=football.co.uk|date=12 June 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/craig-bryson-unmoved-by-hearts-talk-1-818263|title=Craig Bryson unmoved by Hearts talk|publisher=The Scotsman|date=21 July 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://sport.stv.tv/football/clubs/kilmarnock/187816-kilmarnock-reject-hearts-bryson-offer/|title=Kilmarnock reject Hearts' Bryson offer|publisher=STV Sport|date=21 July 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> Hearts turned their attention to their former midfielder [[Paul Hartley]], whose contract with English Championship club [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] was about to expire. However, they dropped their interest in Hartley after he refused to distance himself from criticism of Hearts' majority shareholder [[Vladimir Romanov]] during his first stint with the club.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sport.scotsman.com/sport/Riccarton-3-row-ends-Hearts39.6439365.jp |title=Riccarton 3 row ends Hearts' Hartley bid |work=[[Edinburgh Evening News]] |date=26 July 2010 |access-date=26 July 2010}}</ref> Hearts thus turned their attention back to Bryson and gave Kilmarnock a final "take-it-or-leave-it" offer, which included a "significant sell-on clause" but not an increased transfer fee. The offer was rejected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/hearts-make-final-bid-for-craig-1065232|title=Hearts make final bid for Craig Bryson after dropping interest in Paul Hartley|publisher=Daily Record|date=26 July 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> Hearts returned with two more bids on transfer deadline day, which were also rejected. Bryson said that he was "relieved the window has now closed... It's nice that other clubs want you, it shows you must be doing well, but it's not to be just now and I'll carry on doing well for Kilmarnock."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11696/6353608/bryson-welcomes-window-closure|title=Bryson welcomes window closure|publisher=Sky Sports|date=2 September 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


Kimarnock expected Hearts to make another attempt to sign Bryson in the January transfer window,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11696/6580315/mixu-unsurprised-by-interest|title=Mixu unsurprised by interest|publisher=Sky Sports|date=16 December 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/kilmarnock-braced-for-hearts-craig-bryson-bid-1-1314993|title=Kilmarnock braced for Hearts' Craig Bryson bid|publisher=Edinburgh Evening News|date=24 December 2010|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> but Bryson suffered an ankle injury that ended any potential move for him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11696/6746512/bryson-admits-injury-nightmare|title=Bryson admits injury nightmare|publisher=Sky Sports|date=11 February 2011|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
Kimarnock expected Hearts to make another attempt to sign Bryson in the January transfer window,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11696/6580315/mixu-unsurprised-by-interest|title=Mixu unsurprised by interest|publisher=Sky Sports|date=16 December 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/kilmarnock-braced-for-hearts-craig-bryson-bid-1-1314993|title=Kilmarnock braced for Hearts' Craig Bryson bid|publisher=Edinburgh Evening News|date=24 December 2010|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> but Bryson suffered an ankle injury that ended any potential move for him.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11696/6746512/bryson-admits-injury-nightmare|title=Bryson admits injury nightmare|publisher=Sky Sports|date=11 February 2011|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


===Derby County===
===Derby County===


====2011–12 season====
====2011–12 season====
At the end of the 2010–11 season, it was reported that [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]], [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]], [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] and [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] were interested in signing Bryson, with Derby the favourites to sign him and Bryson himself only interested in moving to Derby.<ref name=fresh/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/245976/Clubs-queue-up-to-sign-Craig-Bryson|title=Clubs queue up to sign Craig Bryson|publisher=Scottish Express|date=11 May 2011|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/derby-join-chase-for-kilmarnock-star-1103553|title=Derby join chase for Kilmarnock star Craig Bryson|publisher=Daily Record|date=21 May 2011|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> After Kilmarnock rejected two bids for Bryson from Derby, on 4 June 2011, it was confirmed that the two clubs had agreed a fee. Bryson signed for Derby on a three-year contract on 9 June, which went through on 1 July following the re-opening of the transfer window. The fee was speculated to be £350,000, rising to £450,000 after add-on clauses.<ref name="brysonderby">{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13538511| title = Derby sign Kilmarnock captain Craig Bryson| date = 9 June 2011 | work =BBC Sport}}</ref> Derby manager [[Nigel Clough]] called Bryson a "tremendous signing" and "a leader on and off the field" with "energy and ability in abundance".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2373225,00.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611014656/http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10270~2373225%2C00.html|title=Rams Sign International Midfielder|publisher=dcfc.co.uk|date=9 June 2011|archivedate=11 June 2011|accessdate=7 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bryson expressed his happiness at moving to Derby, saying that:
At the end of the 2010–11 season, it was reported that [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]], [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]], [[Hull City A.F.C.|Hull City]] and [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]] were interested in signing Bryson, with Derby the favourites to sign him and Bryson himself only interested in moving to Derby.<ref name=fresh/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/245976/Clubs-queue-up-to-sign-Craig-Bryson|title=Clubs queue up to sign Craig Bryson|publisher=Scottish Express|date=11 May 2011|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/derby-join-chase-for-kilmarnock-star-1103553|title=Derby join chase for Kilmarnock star Craig Bryson|publisher=Daily Record|date=21 May 2011|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> After Kilmarnock rejected two bids for Bryson from Derby, on 4 June 2011, it was confirmed that the two clubs had agreed a fee. Bryson signed for Derby on a three-year contract on 9 June, which went through on 1 July following the re-opening of the transfer window. The fee was speculated to be £350,000, rising to £450,000 after add-on clauses.<ref name="brysonderby">{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/13538511| title = Derby sign Kilmarnock captain Craig Bryson| date = 9 June 2011 | work =BBC Sport}}</ref> Derby manager [[Nigel Clough]] called Bryson a "tremendous signing" and "a leader on and off the field" with "energy and ability in abundance".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2373225,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110611014656/http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10270~2373225%2C00.html|title=Rams Sign International Midfielder|publisher=dcfc.co.uk|date=9 June 2011|archive-date=11 June 2011|access-date=7 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bryson expressed his happiness at moving to Derby, saying that:


{{quote|The move has come at the right time for me. I have been playing in the SPL for four years and it does get repetitive facing the same sides four times a season. It can get monotonous. With only one team going down and one coming up there is no freshness and everything is catered for the [[Old Firm]]. But in the Championship you are playing teams just twice a season and they are all massive clubs. Celtic and Rangers draw average crowds of 50–60,000 and Killie get gates of between 4–5,000. It is hard to fight against the Old Firm as they have more money and attract the best players. The winner of the league is only ever going to come from either of the Old Firm – and I just don't see that changing in the foreseeable future. That's why I am delighted to sign for Derby as it is a fresh challenge.<ref name=fresh/>}}
{{quote|The move has come at the right time for me. I have been playing in the SPL for four years and it does get repetitive facing the same sides four times a season. It can get monotonous. With only one team going down and one coming up there is no freshness and everything is catered for the [[Old Firm]]. But in the Championship you are playing teams just twice a season and they are all massive clubs. Celtic and Rangers draw average crowds of 50–60,000 and Killie get gates of between 4–5,000. It is hard to fight against the Old Firm as they have more money and attract the best players. The winner of the league is only ever going to come from either of the Old Firm – and I just don't see that changing in the foreseeable future. That's why I am delighted to sign for Derby as it is a fresh challenge.<ref name=fresh/>}}


Bryson made a strong start to his Derby career, despite a pre-season disrupted by injury, scoring the winner with his first Derby goal in a 1–0 victory at [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] and helping the side to four straight victories from opening day – the club's best season start for 106 years. He scored his first goal at [[Pride Park Stadium|Pride Park]] in a 3–0 victory over [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]].<ref name="brysonstarman">{{cite news| url = http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/story-13589235-detail/story.html| archive-url = https://archive.is/20131105174051/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/story-13589235-detail/story.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 5 November 2013| title = No wonder the consistent star Bryson was picked out for special praise| date = 18 October 2011| work = Derby Telegraph}}</ref> Derby enjoyed a fine first quarter to the season and found themselves fourth in the table, with manager Nigel Clough singling out Bryson as the top performer of the season so far.<ref name="brysonstarman"/> His third goal of the season came in his man of the match performance in Derby's 3–1 win over [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]],<ref name="brysonplenty">{{cite news| url = http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Byson-plenty-candidates-man-match-award/story-13712596-detail/story.html| title = Byson: There were plenty of candidates for man of the match award| date = 31 October 2011| work = Derby Telegraph| access-date = 5 November 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213921/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Byson-plenty-candidates-man-match-award/story-13712596-detail/story.html| archive-date = 23 September 2015| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref> which also saw him named in the Championship team of the week.<ref name="brysoninteam">{{cite news| url = http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2501091,00.html| title = Bryson in Championship 'Team of the Week'| date = 1 November 2011| work = dcfc.co.uk| access-date = 5 November 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131105164932/http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2501091,00.html#| archive-date = 5 November 2013| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref> He scored against [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] in a 2–1 home win for Derby on 10 December 2011, tapping in from close range<ref name="goalvbrisc">{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16015664| title = Derby 2 – 1 Bristol City| date = 10 December 2011| work =BBC Sport}}</ref> and scored in the 1–1 reverse fixture at [[Ashton Gate Stadium]] on 31 March 2012, with a side-foot finish.<ref name="goalvbrisc2">{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17497466| title = Bristol City 1 – 1 Derby| date = 31 March 2012 | work =BBC Sport}}</ref> Bryson scored his sixth goal of the season in a 2–0 win at [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] a 25-yard curling shot which beat Leeds 'keeper [[Andy Lonergan]].<ref name="goalvleeds">{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17581456| title = Leeds 0 – 2 Derby| date = 9 April 2012 | work =BBC Sport}}</ref> These goals cemented Bryson's place as Derby's third top scorer during the season, behind strikers [[Steve Davies (footballer born 1987)|Steve Davies]] and [[Theo Robinson]]. Bryson was a regular in the Derby team during the season, where he missed only 3 of the 49 games Derby played. Bryson's form was rewarded by winning the fans [[Derby County F.C.#The Jack Stamps Trophy (Player of the Year)|Player of the Season award]].<ref name="brysonpoty11-12">{{cite news| url = http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2751423,00.html| title = Bryson Claims The Jack Stamps Trophy| date = 28 April 2012| work = dcfc.co.uk| access-date = 5 November 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160820184747/http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10270~2751423%2C00.html| archive-date = 20 August 2016| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref> Bryson also won the Club & Supporter's Club player of the year awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web| title=Bryson Named Club Player of the Year| url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2754942,00.html| date=2 May 2012| work=dcfc.co.uk| access-date=5 November 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105164928/http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2754942,00.html| archive-date=5 November 2013| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Bryson made a strong start to his Derby career, despite a pre-season disrupted by injury, scoring the winner with his first Derby goal in a 1–0 victory at [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] and helping the side to four straight victories from opening day – the club's best season start for 106 years. He scored his first goal at [[Pride Park Stadium|Pride Park]] in a 3–0 victory over [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]].<ref name="brysonstarman">{{cite news| url = http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/story-13589235-detail/story.html| archive-url = https://archive.today/20131105174051/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/story-13589235-detail/story.html| url-status = dead| archive-date = 5 November 2013| title = No wonder the consistent star Bryson was picked out for special praise| date = 18 October 2011| work = Derby Telegraph}}</ref> Derby enjoyed a fine first quarter to the season and found themselves fourth in the table, with manager Nigel Clough singling out Bryson as the top performer of the season so far.<ref name="brysonstarman"/> His third goal of the season came in his man of the match performance in Derby's 3–1 win over [[Portsmouth F.C.|Portsmouth]],<ref name="brysonplenty">{{cite news| url = http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Byson-plenty-candidates-man-match-award/story-13712596-detail/story.html| title = Byson: There were plenty of candidates for man of the match award| date = 31 October 2011| work = Derby Telegraph| access-date = 5 November 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213921/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Byson-plenty-candidates-man-match-award/story-13712596-detail/story.html| archive-date = 23 September 2015| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref> which also saw him named in the Championship team of the week.<ref name="brysoninteam">{{cite news| url = http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2501091,00.html| title = Bryson in Championship 'Team of the Week'| date = 1 November 2011| work = dcfc.co.uk| access-date = 5 November 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131105164932/http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2501091,00.html| archive-date = 5 November 2013| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref> He scored against [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] in a 2–1 home win for Derby on 10 December 2011, tapping in from close range<ref name="goalvbrisc">{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16015664| title = Derby 2 – 1 Bristol City| date = 10 December 2011| work =BBC Sport}}</ref> and scored in the 1–1 reverse fixture at [[Ashton Gate Stadium]] on 31 March 2012, with a side-foot finish.<ref name="goalvbrisc2">{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17497466| title = Bristol City 1 – 1 Derby| date = 31 March 2012 | work =BBC Sport}}</ref> Bryson scored his sixth goal of the season in a 2–0 win at [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] a 25-yard curling shot which beat Leeds 'keeper [[Andy Lonergan]].<ref name="goalvleeds">{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17581456| title = Leeds 0 – 2 Derby| date = 9 April 2012 | work =BBC Sport}}</ref> These goals cemented Bryson's place as Derby's third top scorer during the season, behind strikers [[Steve Davies (footballer born 1987)|Steve Davies]] and [[Theo Robinson]]. Bryson was a regular in the Derby team during the season, where he missed only 3 of the 49 games Derby played. Bryson's form was rewarded by winning the fans [[Derby County F.C.#The Jack Stamps Trophy (Player of the Year)|Player of the Season award]].<ref name="brysonpoty11-12">{{cite news| url = http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2751423,00.html| title = Bryson Claims The Jack Stamps Trophy| date = 28 April 2012| work = dcfc.co.uk| access-date = 5 November 2013| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160820184747/http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10270~2751423%2C00.html| archive-date = 20 August 2016| url-status = dead| df = dmy-all}}</ref> Bryson also won the Club & Supporter's Club player of the year awards.<ref name="awards">{{cite web| title=Bryson Named Club Player of the Year| url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2754942,00.html| date=2 May 2012| work=dcfc.co.uk| access-date=5 November 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105164928/http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2754942,00.html| archive-date=5 November 2013| url-status=dead| df=dmy-all}}</ref>


====2012–13 season====
====2012–13 season====
Bryson was a regular in the Derby side at the start of the [[2012–13 Derby County F.C. season|2012–13 season]], however the season was disrupted by a knee injury which ruled him out of several games.<ref name="knee">{{cite web | title=Bryson's injury a concern| url=http://www.teamtalk.com/championship/8341136/Derby-County-manager-Nigel-Clough-is-concerned-by-Craig-Bryson-s-knee-injury| date = 18 December 2012| work=Team Talk}}</ref> Bryson return three weeks earlier than expected as he started and scored in a 2–0 win at [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] however Nigel Clough stated he was not fully fit and was doubt for the next game.<ref name="knee"/> Bryson was able to start the next three games, but missed the game at home to [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] on 1 January 2013 after picking scar tissue on his hamstring.<ref name="scar">{{cite web | title=Michael Jacobs impresses Derby County boss Nigel Clough| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20890987| date = 2 January 2013| work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Bryson returned to the team in mid-January and despite picking up a re-occurrence of his injury in early March, Bryson soon regained his place in the side and his performance alongside midfield partner [[Jeff Hendrick]] in Derby's 3–0 win over [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] on 29 March earned them both praise from first team coach [[Andy Garner]].<ref name="briscpraise">{{cite web| url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Garner-hails-Hendrick-Bryson-Derby-County-beat/story-18563527-detail/story.html| title=Garner hails Hendrick and Bryson after Derby beat Bristol City| date=30 March 2013| work=Derby Telegraph| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230831/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Garner-hails-Hendrick-Bryson-Derby-County-beat/story-18563527-detail/story.html| archivedate=23 September 2015| df=dmy-all}}</ref> Bryson was named the 84th best player in the [[2012–13 Football League Championship]] by the Actim Index<ref>{{cite web | title=Rams Six of the Best| publisher=dcfc.co.uk| url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/derbys-six-of-the-best-826899.aspx| date = 16 May 2013 }}</ref> and it was confirmed in May 2013 that the club were in talks to extend his contract at Pride Park,<ref name="Derby County: Nigel Clough fears John Brayford could leave">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22510621|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Derby County: Nigel Clough fears John Brayford could leave|date=13 May 2013}}</ref> with Bryson signing a new three-year contract later that month.<ref name="20133yrdeal">{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22660896| title = Derby County: Craig Bryson agrees new three-year deal| date = 25 May 2013 | work =BBC Sport}}</ref>
Bryson was a regular in the Derby side at the start of the [[2012–13 Derby County F.C. season|2012–13 season]], however the season was disrupted by a knee injury which ruled him out of several games.<ref name="knee">{{cite web | title=Bryson's injury a concern| url=http://www.teamtalk.com/championship/8341136/Derby-County-manager-Nigel-Clough-is-concerned-by-Craig-Bryson-s-knee-injury| date = 18 December 2012| work=Team Talk}}</ref> Bryson return three weeks earlier than expected as he started and scored in a 2–0 win at [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] however Nigel Clough stated he was not fully fit and was doubt for the next game.<ref name="knee"/> Bryson was able to start the next three games, but missed the game at home to [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] on 1 January 2013 after picking scar tissue on his hamstring.<ref name="scar">{{cite web | title=Michael Jacobs impresses Derby County boss Nigel Clough| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20890987| date = 2 January 2013| work=BBC Sport}}</ref> Bryson returned to the team in mid-January and despite picking up a re-occurrence of his injury in early March, Bryson soon regained his place in the side and his performance alongside midfield partner [[Jeff Hendrick]] in Derby's 3–0 win over [[Bristol City F.C.|Bristol City]] on 29 March earned them both praise from first team coach [[Andy Garner]].<ref name="briscpraise">{{cite web| url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Garner-hails-Hendrick-Bryson-Derby-County-beat/story-18563527-detail/story.html| title=Garner hails Hendrick and Bryson after Derby beat Bristol City| date=30 March 2013| work=Derby Telegraph| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923230831/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Garner-hails-Hendrick-Bryson-Derby-County-beat/story-18563527-detail/story.html| archive-date=23 September 2015| df=dmy-all}}</ref> Bryson was named the 84th best player in the [[2012–13 Football League Championship]] by the Actim Index<ref>{{cite web | title=Rams Six of the Best| publisher=dcfc.co.uk| url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/derbys-six-of-the-best-826899.aspx| date = 16 May 2013 }}</ref> and it was confirmed in May 2013 that the club were in talks to extend his contract at Pride Park,<ref name="Derby County: Nigel Clough fears John Brayford could leave">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22510621|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Derby County: Nigel Clough fears John Brayford could leave|date=13 May 2013}}</ref> with Bryson signing a new three-year contract later that month.<ref name="20133yrdeal">{{cite news| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22660896| title = Derby County: Craig Bryson agrees new three-year deal| date = 25 May 2013 | work =BBC Sport}}</ref>


====2013–14 season====
====2013–14 season====
Ahead of the [[2013–14 Derby County F.C. season|2013–14 season]], Bryson was expected to compete with [[Paul Coutts]], [[Jeff Hendrick]] and [[Will Hughes]] for a central midfield role.<ref name="1314plans">{{cite news| url =http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Nigel-Clough-pondering-midfield-dilemma-Derby/story-19552961-detail/story.html| title =Nigel Clough still pondering midfield dilemma for Derby County| date =23 July 2013| work =Derby Telegraph| url-status =dead| archiveurl =https://web.archive.org/web/20130726153408/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Nigel-Clough-pondering-midfield-dilemma-Derby/story-19552961-detail/story.html| archivedate =26 July 2013| df =dmy-all}}</ref> Manager Nigel Clough stated his intention to rotate the squad, saying that it was "lovely to have that healthy competition" for places.<ref name="1314plans"/> In the event of the season, Bryson was an ever-present in the starting line-up in the league until the 32nd fixture.
Ahead of the [[2013–14 Derby County F.C. season|2013–14 season]], Bryson was expected to compete with [[Paul Coutts]], [[Jeff Hendrick]] and [[Will Hughes]] for a central midfield role.<ref name="1314plans">{{cite news| url =http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Nigel-Clough-pondering-midfield-dilemma-Derby/story-19552961-detail/story.html| title =Nigel Clough still pondering midfield dilemma for Derby County| date =23 July 2013| work =Derby Telegraph| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20130726153408/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Nigel-Clough-pondering-midfield-dilemma-Derby/story-19552961-detail/story.html| archive-date =26 July 2013| df =dmy-all}}</ref> Manager Nigel Clough stated his intention to rotate the squad, saying that it was "lovely to have that healthy competition" for places.<ref name="1314plans"/> In the event of the season, Bryson was an ever-present in the starting line-up in the league until the 32nd fixture.


His first goal of the season came in a 3–0 win at [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]] on 24 August, which was quickly followed up by his first career hat-trick in a 5–1 win at [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] on 14 September, which was also the first league hat-trick by a Derby player since [[Paul Simpson (footballer)|Paul Simpson]] in April 1996.<ref name="hattrick">{{cite web|title=Millwall 1–5 Derby| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23999244|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 September 2013|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> After a 1–0 defeat at [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]], with the club having won only once in the last six matches, having failed to win at home, and lying in 14th place, manager Nigel Clough was sacked. Bryson was saddened by the move, saying it came as a "shock", adding that Clough "has been excellent for me, he brought me down from Scotland and gave me my chance in England. So obviously I was sad to see him go. But it happens in football and you just have to get on with it." Clough was replaced by [[Steve McClaren]] and Bryson said that he was looking forward to working with the new manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Sport/Derby-County-FC/Craig-Bryson-sad-to-see-Nigel-Clough-get-sacked-by-Derby-County-20131004060000.htm|archive-url=https://archive.is/20140709160216/http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Sport/Derby-County-FC/Craig-Bryson-sad-to-see-Nigel-Clough-get-sacked-by-Derby-County-20131004060000.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 July 2014|title=Craig Bryson sad to see Nigel Clough get sacked by Derby County|publisher=Burton Mail|date=4 October 2013|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
His first goal of the season came in a 3–0 win at [[Yeovil Town F.C.|Yeovil Town]] on 24 August, which was quickly followed up by his first career hat-trick in a 5–1 win at [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] on 14 September, which was also the first league hat-trick by a Derby player since [[Paul Simpson (footballer)|Paul Simpson]] in April 1996.<ref name="hattrick">{{cite web|title=Millwall 1–5 Derby| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23999244|publisher=BBC Sport|date=14 September 2013|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> After a 1–0 defeat at [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]], with the club having won only once in the last six matches, having failed to win at home, and lying in 14th place, manager Nigel Clough was sacked. Bryson was saddened by the move, saying it came as a "shock", adding that Clough "has been excellent for me, he brought me down from Scotland and gave me my chance in England. So obviously I was sad to see him go. But it happens in football and you just have to get on with it." Clough was replaced by [[Steve McClaren]] and Bryson said that he was looking forward to working with the new manager.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Sport/Derby-County-FC/Craig-Bryson-sad-to-see-Nigel-Clough-get-sacked-by-Derby-County-20131004060000.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140709160216/http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Sport/Derby-County-FC/Craig-Bryson-sad-to-see-Nigel-Clough-get-sacked-by-Derby-County-20131004060000.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=9 July 2014|title=Craig Bryson sad to see Nigel Clough get sacked by Derby County|publisher=Burton Mail|date=4 October 2013|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


The next game was at home against [[Ipswich Town F.C.]], with academy manager [[Darren Wassall]] in charge and McClaren watching from the stands. Bryson captained the side for the first time in the match and Derby ended the first half 4–1 down, but after a half-time team talk from McClaren, who also made two substitutions, Derby came back to draw 4–4, with Bryson scoring twice, including the last, an 88th-minute equaliser.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2440224/Derby-4-Ipswich-4--match-report-Steve-McClarens-half-time-team-talk-inspires-comeback.html|title=Derby 4 Ipswich 4: McClaren gets involved earlier than planned as half-time team talk inspires Rams to superb comeback|publisher=Daily Mail|date=1 October 2013|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
The next game was at home against [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]], with academy manager [[Darren Wassall]] in charge and McClaren watching from the stands. Bryson captained the side for the first time in the match and Derby ended the first half 4–1 down, but after a half-time team talk from McClaren, who also made two substitutions, Derby came back to draw 4–4, with Bryson scoring twice, including the last, an 88th-minute equaliser.<ref>{{cite news |title=Derby County 4-4 Ipswich Town |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/24246264 |access-date=17 September 2020 |work=BBC Sport |date=2 October 2013}}</ref>


After a two-month barren spell, Bryson scored five goals in six games: one each in a 3–1 win at [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan]], in a 5–1 win against [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], in a 2–0 win at [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton]], in a 3–1 win against [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster]] and in a 1–1 draw at [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield]]. This coincided with an unbeaten run that saw ''The Rams'' win 8 and draw 1 out of 9 matches, moving from 11th in the table to 2nd. He did however miss the 1–0 home win over [[Bournemouth A.F.C.|Bournemouth]] on 22 February, the first and only league match he missed all season. His goal against Huddersfield coming on Boxing Day, Bryson didn't score again until 28 January 2014, getting the 2nd in a 3–2 win at home to Yeovil Town.
After a two-month barren spell, Bryson scored five goals in six games: one each in a 3–1 win at [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan]], in a 5–1 win against [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]], in a 2–0 win at [[Charlton Athletic F.C.|Charlton]], in a 3–1 win against [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster]] and in a 1–1 draw at [[Huddersfield Town A.F.C.|Huddersfield]]. This coincided with an unbeaten run that saw ''The Rams'' win 8 and draw 1 out of 9 matches, moving from 11th in the table to 2nd. He did however miss the 1–0 home win over [[AFC Bournemouth]] on 22 February, the first and only league match he missed all season. His goal against Huddersfield coming on Boxing Day, Bryson didn't score again until 28 January 2014, getting the 2nd in a 3–2 win at home to Yeovil Town.


He next scored on 22 March, netting a hat-trick against Derby's [[Derby County F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|local rivals]] [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] in a 5–0 win, becoming the first Derby player to score a hat-trick against Forest since [[Steve Bloomer]] in 1898 and earning a recall to the Scotland squad. His final goal of the season came in a 3–1 win at Blackpool on 8 April. Overall, he scored 16 goals as Derby finished 3rd and qualified for the [[2014 Football League play-offs|play-offs]]. He started the semi-final first leg, a 2–1 win at [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]], but was substituted in the 89th minute with a back injury, and missed the second leg, a 4–1 win that sent Derby through to the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Team-news-Derby-County-v-Brighton/story-21083872-detail/story.html|title=Team news: Derby County player of the year Craig Bryson out of Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Brighton|publisher=Derby Telegraph|date=11 May 2014|accessdate=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714210238/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Team-news-Derby-County-v-Brighton/story-21083872-detail/story.html|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He recovered in time for the [[2014 Football League Championship play-off Final|play-off final]] against [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]], but was named to the bench as the form of Will Hughes and Jeff Hendrick meant they kept their places. He came on for Hughes in the 68th minute and almost scored but for a good save from QPR keeper [[Robert Green]]. Derby went on to lose the game 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/26945416|title=Championship play-off final as it happened|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 May 2014|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
He next scored on 22 March, netting a hat-trick against Derby's [[Derby County F.C.–Nottingham Forest F.C. rivalry|local rivals]] [[Nottingham Forest F.C.|Nottingham Forest]] in a 5–0 win, becoming the first Derby player to score a hat-trick against Forest since [[Steve Bloomer]] in 1898 and earning a recall to the Scotland squad. His final goal of the season came in a 3–1 win at Blackpool on 8 April. Overall, he scored 16 goals as Derby finished 3rd and qualified for the [[2014 Football League play-offs|play-offs]]. He started the semi-final first leg, a 2–1 win at [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]], but was substituted in the 89th minute with a back injury, and missed the second leg, a 4–1 win that sent Derby through to the final.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Team-news-Derby-County-v-Brighton/story-21083872-detail/story.html|title=Team news: Derby County player of the year Craig Bryson out of Championship play-off semi-final second leg against Brighton|publisher=Derby Telegraph|date=11 May 2014|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714210238/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Team-news-Derby-County-v-Brighton/story-21083872-detail/story.html|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He recovered in time for the [[2014 Football League Championship play-off Final|play-off final]] against [[Queens Park Rangers F.C.|Queens Park Rangers]], but was named to the bench as the form of Will Hughes and Jeff Hendrick meant they kept their places. He came on for Hughes in the 68th minute and almost scored but for a good save from QPR keeper [[Robert Green]]. Derby went on to lose the game 1–0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/26945416|title=Championship play-off final as it happened|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 May 2014|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


Bryson's performances throughout the campaign earned him the Derby County Player of the Year award and a place in the [[PFA Team of the Year (2010s)#Championship 5|PFA Championship Team of the Season]], alongside fellow Derby midfielder Will Hughes.
Bryson's performances throughout the campaign earned him the Derby County Player of the Year award and a place in the [[PFA Team of the Year (2010s)#Championship 5|PFA Championship Team of the Season]], alongside fellow Derby midfielder Will Hughes.
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In June 2014, Derby rejected an offer from [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] for Bryson.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28018608 |title=Craig Bryson: Derby County reject Burnley bid for midfielder |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=25 June 2014 |accessdate=5 July 2014}}</ref> Bryson was however given permission to speak to Burnley, later saying that "it doesn't matter what team it is, when someone puts an offer in for you I think you owe them the respect to sit down and speak to them... but just because I did that didn't mean I was going to sign for them." Soon afterwards, he agreed a new five-year contract with Derby, saying that his bond with the fans was part of the reason that he chose to stay: "I've got a good bond with the fans as well and that was a big part in my decision to stay here. The fans have been excellent ever since I walked through the door. When you come to a new club it can take time to win over the fans, but they have been fantastic with me... they helped me make the biggest decision of my career, if not my life. I took a while to think about it and I knew it would be a massive decision. I went through stages where one minute I thought I was leaving and then the next minute I think I'm staying. But in the end it turned out to be an easy decision for me because Derby are such a great club to be part of."<ref name="Craig Bryson Signs A New Five Year Contract With Derby County">{{cite web|title=Craig Bryson Signs A New Five Year Contract With Derby County|url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/craig-bryson-signs-a-new-five-year-contract-with-derby-county-1715004.aspx|publisher=Derby County F.C.|accessdate=3 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28152350 |title=Derby County: Craig Bryson commits with new deal until 2019|work=BBC Sport|date=3 July 2014 |accessdate=5 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/my-bond-fans-made-stay-3810676 |title=EXCLUSIVE – "My bond with the fans made me stay at Derby," says Craig Bryson|work=Daily Record |date=4 July 2014 |accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
In June 2014, Derby rejected an offer from [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] for Bryson.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28018608 |title=Craig Bryson: Derby County reject Burnley bid for midfielder |work=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=25 June 2014 |access-date=5 July 2014}}</ref> Bryson was however given permission to speak to Burnley, later saying that "it doesn't matter what team it is, when someone puts an offer in for you I think you owe them the respect to sit down and speak to them... but just because I did that didn't mean I was going to sign for them." Soon afterwards, he agreed a new five-year contract with Derby, saying that his bond with the fans was part of the reason that he chose to stay: "I've got a good bond with the fans as well and that was a big part in my decision to stay here. The fans have been excellent ever since I walked through the door. When you come to a new club it can take time to win over the fans, but they have been fantastic with me... they helped me make the biggest decision of my career, if not my life. I took a while to think about it and I knew it would be a massive decision. I went through stages where one minute I thought I was leaving and then the next minute I think I'm staying. But in the end it turned out to be an easy decision for me because Derby are such a great club to be part of."<ref name="Craig Bryson Signs A New Five Year Contract With Derby County">{{cite web|title=Craig Bryson Signs A New Five Year Contract With Derby County|url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/craig-bryson-signs-a-new-five-year-contract-with-derby-county-1715004.aspx|publisher=Derby County F.C.|access-date=3 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28152350 |title=Derby County: Craig Bryson commits with new deal until 2019|work=BBC Sport|date=3 July 2014 |access-date=5 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/my-bond-fans-made-stay-3810676 |title=EXCLUSIVE – "My bond with the fans made me stay at Derby," says Craig Bryson|work=Daily Record |date=4 July 2014 |access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


Bryson played 38 league matches in the 2014–15 season, but it was an inconsistent one for him: only 25 of them were starts and he only scored five goals: the second in a 5–1 win against Fulham on 23 August 2014, an 84th-minute equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Cardiff City on 20 September, an 81st-minute winner in a 2–1 victory at Watford, the consolation in a 3–1 League Cup defeat to Chelsea on 16 December and a 3rd-minute opener in a 4–0 win at home to Blackpool on 14 April 2015.
Bryson played 38 league matches in the 2014–15 season, but it was an inconsistent one for him: only 25 of them were starts and he only scored five goals: the second in a 5–1 win against Fulham on 23 August 2014, an 84th-minute equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Cardiff City on 20 September, an 81st-minute winner in a 2–1 victory at Watford, the consolation in a 3–1 League Cup defeat to Chelsea on 16 December and a 3rd-minute opener in a 4–0 win at home to Blackpool on 14 April 2015.


After starting 14 of the first 15 league matches,<ref name=endures>{{cite news|url=http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Derby-County-s-Craig-Bryson-endures-frustrating/story-26368746-detail/story.html|title=Derby County's Craig Bryson endures frustrating season|work=The Burton Mail|date=22 April 2015|accessdate=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715190618/http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Derby-County-s-Craig-Bryson-endures-frustrating/story-26368746-detail/story.html|archive-date=15 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> he picked up an injury in a 2–1 defeat to Brentford on 1 November and was out for three weeks.<ref name=endures/> He came off the bench in the game against Watford to score a "stunning" winner but found himself on the bench for the next game, a 2–0 defeat to Leeds,<ref name=endures/> before starting five of the next six matches: a 3–0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion, a 2–0 defeat to Middlesbrough, the 3–1 defeat to Chelsea, a 2–2 draw against Norwich City on 20 December and a 2–0 win against Leeds on 30 December.<ref name=endures/> He missed the 4–0 win against Birmingham City on Boxing Day with a calf problem, having come off in the 74th minute against Norwich.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Team-news-John-Eustace-recalled-Derby-County-s/story-25768761-detail/story.html|title=Team news: John Eustace recalled for Derby County's Boxing Day clash at Birmingham City but Craig Bryson misses out|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=26 December 2014|accessdate=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228193727/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Team-news-John-Eustace-recalled-Derby-County-s/story-25768761-detail/story.html|archive-date=28 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He played 90 minutes of the following match, a 1–0 FA Cup win against Southport on 3 January 2015, but then found himself on the sidelines for the rest of the season, behind [[Will Hughes]], [[Jeff Hendrick]] and [[Omar Mascarell]] in the pecking order for the three central midfield places.<ref name=endures/> Of his next 11 League appearances, 9 of them came from the bench and the two that he did start ended in 2–1 defeats for ''The Rams'': against Nottingham Forest on 17 January and against Reading on 14 February. Bryson finally returned to the starting XI on 17 March in a 1–0 defeat to Middlesbrough and started five of the next six matches, missing only the 2–0 win against Wigan on 6 April with a calf problem.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Hughes-suspended-Rams-matches/story-26294274-detail/story.html|title=Derby County: Will Hughes suspended for Rams' matches against Brentford and Blackpool|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=7 April 2015|accessdate=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821061631/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Hughes-suspended-Rams-matches/story-26294274-detail/story.html|archive-date=21 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, his fifth start from those six matches would prove to be his last of the season. He was taken off in the 9th minute of the 4–4 draw against Huddersfield Town on 18 April with a thigh injury and missed the final two matches of the season. Having been top of the table in late February, a run of two wins from the last thirteen matches saw Derby finish eighth, a single point off the playoffs, and manager Steve McClaren sacked.<ref name=endures/>
After starting 14 of the first 15 league matches,<ref name=endures>{{cite news|url=http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Derby-County-s-Craig-Bryson-endures-frustrating/story-26368746-detail/story.html|title=Derby County's Craig Bryson endures frustrating season|work=The Burton Mail|date=22 April 2015|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715190618/http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Derby-County-s-Craig-Bryson-endures-frustrating/story-26368746-detail/story.html|archive-date=15 July 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> he picked up an injury in a 2–1 defeat to Brentford on 1 November and was out for three weeks.<ref name=endures/> He came off the bench in the game against Watford to score a "stunning" winner but found himself on the bench for the next game, a 2–0 defeat to Leeds,<ref name=endures/> before starting five of the next six matches: a 3–0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion, a 2–0 defeat to Middlesbrough, the 3–1 defeat to Chelsea, a 2–2 draw against Norwich City on 20 December and a 2–0 win against Leeds on 30 December.<ref name=endures/> He missed the 4–0 win against Birmingham City on Boxing Day with a calf problem, having come off in the 74th minute against Norwich.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Team-news-John-Eustace-recalled-Derby-County-s/story-25768761-detail/story.html|title=Team news: John Eustace recalled for Derby County's Boxing Day clash at Birmingham City but Craig Bryson misses out|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=26 December 2014|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228193727/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Team-news-John-Eustace-recalled-Derby-County-s/story-25768761-detail/story.html|archive-date=28 December 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> He played 90 minutes of the following match, a 1–0 FA Cup win against Southport on 3 January 2015, but then found himself on the sidelines for the rest of the season, behind [[Will Hughes]], [[Jeff Hendrick]] and [[Omar Mascarell]] in the pecking order for the three central midfield places.<ref name=endures/> Of his next 11 League appearances, 9 of them came from the bench and the two that he did start ended in 2–1 defeats for ''The Rams'': against Nottingham Forest on 17 January and against Reading on 14 February. Bryson finally returned to the starting XI on 17 March in a 1–0 defeat to Middlesbrough and started five of the next six matches, missing only the 2–0 win against Wigan on 6 April with a calf problem.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Hughes-suspended-Rams-matches/story-26294274-detail/story.html|title=Derby County: Will Hughes suspended for Rams' matches against Brentford and Blackpool|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=7 April 2015|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821061631/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Hughes-suspended-Rams-matches/story-26294274-detail/story.html|archive-date=21 August 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, his fifth start from those six matches would prove to be his last of the season. He was taken off in the 9th minute of the 4–4 draw against Huddersfield Town on 18 April with a thigh injury and missed the final two matches of the season. Having been top of the table in late February, a run of two wins from the last thirteen matches saw Derby finish eighth, a single point off the playoffs, and manager Steve McClaren sacked.<ref name=endures/>


====2015–16 season====
====2015–16 season====
Bryson's start to the season was hampered by an injury which he picked up in the opening game of the season away to Bolton Wanderers on 8 August. He was taken off in the 21st minute suffering from what was later revealed to be a stretched ligament on the inside of his knee and was ruled out for 2 to 4 weeks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-injury/story-27585634-detail/story.html|title=Derby County: Craig Bryson faces up to four weeks out for Rams|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=11 August 2015|accessdate=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910115433/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-injury/story-27585634-detail/story.html|archive-date=10 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, he was ruled out for longer than first thought; six weeks later, new Derby manager [[Paul Clement (football coach)|Paul Clement]] reported that Bryson was still feeling some discomfort in his knee, which meant he was "finding some things difficult to do relating to shooting and long passing".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Derby-County-midfielder-Craig-Bryson-ruled-injury/story-27862628-detail/story.html|title=Derby County midfielder Craig Bryson still ruled out through injury|work=The Burton Mail|date=25 September 2015|accessdate=1 November 2015}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A week later, on 1 October, Clement revealed that Bryson had had injections in his knee to speed up the healing process and would thus miss training for a fortnight to allow his knee to settle. Clement said that "I think we all underestimated the severity of the injury he picked up on the opening day just because of his character. He wanted to push and push to get back as soon as possible but you have to allow the healing process to take place."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Rams-midfielder-Craig-Bryson-given/story-27904120-detail/story.html|title=Derby County: Rams midfielder Craig Bryson given injections in bid to speed up injury recovery|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=1 October 2015|accessdate=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104030421/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Rams-midfielder-Craig-Bryson-given/story-27904120-detail/story.html|archive-date=4 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bryson returned to training on 16 October,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-Jake-Buxton-training/story-27997671-detail/story.html|title=Derby County: Craig Bryson and Jake Buxton back in training|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=16 October 2015|accessdate=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017203547/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-Jake-Buxton-training/story-27997671-detail/story.html|archive-date=17 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> played 90 minutes in an under-21 match against Newcastle United on 26 October<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-return-Rams-squad/story-28078927-detail/story.html|title=Derby County: Craig Bryson could return to Rams squad against Rotherham United this weekend|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=29 October 2015|accessdate=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103041850/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-return-Rams-squad/story-28078927-detail/story.html|archive-date=3 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and finally made his return to first team action on 31 October, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for new signing [[Jacob Butterfield]] in a 3–0 win against Rotherham.
Bryson's start to the season was hampered by an injury which he picked up in the opening game of the season away to Bolton Wanderers on 8 August. He was taken off in the 21st minute suffering from what was later revealed to be a stretched ligament on the inside of his knee and was ruled out for 2 to 4 weeks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-injury/story-27585634-detail/story.html|title=Derby County: Craig Bryson faces up to four weeks out for Rams|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=11 August 2015|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150910115433/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-injury/story-27585634-detail/story.html|archive-date=10 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, he was ruled out for longer than first thought; six weeks later, new Derby manager [[Paul Clement (football coach)|Paul Clement]] reported that Bryson was still feeling some discomfort in his knee, which meant he was "finding some things difficult to do relating to shooting and long passing".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.burtonmail.co.uk/Derby-County-midfielder-Craig-Bryson-ruled-injury/story-27862628-detail/story.html|title=Derby County midfielder Craig Bryson still ruled out through injury|work=The Burton Mail|date=25 September 2015|access-date=1 November 2015}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> A week later, on 1 October, Clement revealed that Bryson had had injections in his knee to speed up the healing process and would thus miss training for a fortnight to allow his knee to settle. Clement said that "I think we all underestimated the severity of the injury he picked up on the opening day just because of his character. He wanted to push and push to get back as soon as possible but you have to allow the healing process to take place."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Rams-midfielder-Craig-Bryson-given/story-27904120-detail/story.html|title=Derby County: Rams midfielder Craig Bryson given injections in bid to speed up injury recovery|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=1 October 2015|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104030421/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Rams-midfielder-Craig-Bryson-given/story-27904120-detail/story.html|archive-date=4 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> Bryson returned to training on 16 October,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-Jake-Buxton-training/story-27997671-detail/story.html|title=Derby County: Craig Bryson and Jake Buxton back in training|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=16 October 2015|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017203547/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-Jake-Buxton-training/story-27997671-detail/story.html|archive-date=17 October 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> played 90 minutes in an under-21 match against Newcastle United on 26 October<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-return-Rams-squad/story-28078927-detail/story.html|title=Derby County: Craig Bryson could return to Rams squad against Rotherham United this weekend|work=The Derby Telegraph|date=29 October 2015|access-date=1 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151103041850/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-Craig-Bryson-return-Rams-squad/story-28078927-detail/story.html|archive-date=3 November 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> and finally made his return to first team action on 31 October, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for new signing [[Jacob Butterfield]] in a 3–0 win against Rotherham.


On the final day of the summer transfer window of 2017, Bryson joined fellow Championship side [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] on a season-long loan deal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41118500 |title=Cardiff sign Craig Bryson and Liam Feeney on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2017|accessdate=1 September 2017}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] on 23 September 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41289618|title=Sunderland 1–2 Cardiff |publisher=BBC |date=23 September 2017 |accessdate=9 February 2018}}</ref>
On the final day of the summer transfer window of 2017, Bryson joined fellow Championship side [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] on a season-long loan deal.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41118500 |title=Cardiff sign Craig Bryson and Liam Feeney on loan |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2017|access-date=1 September 2017}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win against [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] on 23 September 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41289618|title=Sunderland 1–2 Cardiff |publisher=BBC |date=23 September 2017 |access-date=9 February 2018}}</ref>


He was offered a new contract by Derby County at the end of the 2018–19 season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48503980|title=Ashley Cole: Former England left-back set to retire after Derby exit|date=3 June 2019|accessdate=4 June 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> but instead agreed a pre-contract with [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48697013|title=Craig Bryson: Aberdeen sign Derby midfielder on pre-contract|date=19 June 2019|access-date=19 June 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref>
He was offered a new contract by Derby County at the end of the 2018–19 season,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48503980|title=Ashley Cole: Former England left-back set to retire after Derby exit|date=3 June 2019|access-date=4 June 2019|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> but instead agreed a pre-contract with [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48697013|title=Craig Bryson: Aberdeen sign Derby midfielder on pre-contract|date=19 June 2019|access-date=19 June 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref>


===Aberdeen===
===Aberdeen===
Bryson's Aberdeen career was hampered by injury, playing only 6 games at the start of the 2019–20 season due to an ankle injury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50227266|title=Aberdeen: Craig Bryson says injury hit start at Pittodrie 'massively frustrating'|date=30 October 2019|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>
Bryson's Aberdeen career was hampered by injury, playing only 6 games at the start of the 2019–20 season due to an ankle injury.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50227266|title=Aberdeen: Craig Bryson says injury hit start at Pittodrie 'massively frustrating'|date=30 October 2019|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref>

In August 2020 he was one of eight Aberdeen players who received a suspended three-match ban from the [[Scottish FA]] after they breached [[COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland|coronavirus-related restrictions]] by visiting a bar earlier in the month.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53951005|title=Celtic's Boli Bolingoli gets three-game ban; 'Aberdeen eight' receive three-match suspended ban|date=28 August 2020|via=www.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> On 9 September 2020, Bryson departed [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] via mutual consent.<ref>{{cite web|title=CRAIG BRYSON DEPARTS|url=https://www.afc.co.uk/2020/09/09/craig-bryson-departs/|website=afc.co.uk|date=9 September 2020}}</ref>

===St Johnstone===
A week after leaving Aberdeen, Bryson signed with [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] on a contract to the end of the 2020–21 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54208285 |title=Craig Bryson: St Johnstone sign former Aberdeen midfielder until end of season |website=BBC Sport |publisher=BBC |date=18 September 2020 |access-date=18 September 2020}}</ref> Bryson would enjoy success with St Johnstone, lifting both the [[Scottish League Cup]] and the [[Scottish Cup]] in the [[2020–21 St Johnstone F.C. season|2020–21 season]].<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> In December 2021 however, Bryson would suffer an ankle injury against [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]] which would require surgery and end his season.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McGilvray |first=Andy |date=2022-01-16 |title=St Johnstone blow as midfielder goes under knife |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/st-johnstone-blow-midfielder-goes-25959845 |access-date=2022-06-03 |website=Daily Record |language=en}}</ref>

=== Stenhousemuir ===
In June 2022 following the end of his contract with St Johnstone, Bryson decided to go part-time and sign a one-year deal with [[Scottish League Two]] side [[Stenhousemuir F.C.|Stenhousemuir]].<ref>{{Cite web |title="SQUAD NEWS" by @StenhousemuirFC |url=https://twitter.com/stenhousemuirfc/status/1532791837542465537 |access-date=2022-06-03 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> Bryson retired from playing football in September 2022.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/craig-bryson-derby-county-retires-7546712 |title=Derby County legend Craig Bryson hangs up his boots after career spanning more than 600 games |newspaper=Derby Telegraph |date=5 September 2022 |accessdate=18 September 2022 |first=Paul |last=Okey}}</ref>


==International career==
==International career==
Bryson was capped by [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] at [[Scotland national under-19 football team|under-19]] and [[Scotland national under-21 football team|under-21]] level while with [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]]. He was called up for a [[Scotland national B football team|Scotland B]] match in 2009 but was later withdrawn at the request of his club manager [[Jim Jefferies (footballer)|Jim Jefferies]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/st-mirren/5280210/St-Mirren-defender-Jack-Ross-celebrates-a-Scotland-double.html Ross celebrates a Scotland double] telegraph.co.uk. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2013.</ref>
Bryson was capped by [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] at [[Scotland national under-19 football team|under-19]] and [[Scotland national under-21 football team|under-21]] level while with [[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]]. He was called up for a [[Scotland national B football team|Scotland B]] match in 2009 but was later withdrawn at the request of his club manager [[Jim Jefferies (footballer)|Jim Jefferies]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/st-mirren/5280210/St-Mirren-defender-Jack-Ross-celebrates-a-Scotland-double.html Ross celebrates a Scotland double] telegraph.co.uk. 5 May 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2013.</ref>


On 16 November 2010, Bryson made his full international debut as a second-half substitute against the [[Faroe Islands national football team|Faroe Islands]] at [[Pittodrie]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/9207615.stm Bryson claims historic debut] bbc.co.uk. 18 November 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2013.</ref> Bryson's form for Derby saw him recalled to the squad for a friendly against the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] in May 2012,<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Kilmarnock midfielder Craig Bryson hails his switch to Derby ahead of his Scotland recall|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/ex-kilmarnock-midfielder-craig-bryson-hails-857863|publisher=Daily Record|date=24 May 2012 |accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> but he did not play.<ref>{{cite news|title=Craig Bryson's recall, a deserved reward|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Levein-Craig-Bryson-s-recall-deserved-reward/story-16162155-detail/story.html|work=Derby Telegraph|date=23 May 2012|accessdate=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033304/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Levein-Craig-Bryson-s-recall-deserved-reward/story-16162155-detail/story.html|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2013, Bryson was recalled to the senior squad for [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] qualifiers against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] and [[Macedonia national football team|Macedonia]] in September<ref>[http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=2986&newsCategoryID=6&newsID=12424 Four players added to Scotland squad] scottishfa.co.uk. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.</ref> and [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] in October,<ref>[http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/craig-bryson-aims-win-over-2356804 Bryson aims to win Second Cap] dailyrecord.co.uk. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.</ref> but did not get any match time.
On 16 November 2010, Bryson made his full international debut as a second-half substitute against the [[Faroe Islands national football team|Faroe Islands]] at [[Pittodrie]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/k/kilmarnock/9207615.stm Bryson claims historic debut] bbc.co.uk. 18 November 2010. Retrieved 15 October 2013.</ref> Bryson's form for Derby saw him recalled to the squad for a friendly against the [[United States men's national soccer team|United States]] in May 2012,<ref>{{cite news |title=Ex-Kilmarnock midfielder Craig Bryson hails his switch to Derby ahead of his Scotland recall|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/ex-kilmarnock-midfielder-craig-bryson-hails-857863|publisher=Daily Record|date=24 May 2012 |access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> but he did not play.<ref>{{cite news|title=Craig Bryson's recall, a deserved reward|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Levein-Craig-Bryson-s-recall-deserved-reward/story-16162155-detail/story.html|work=Derby Telegraph|date=23 May 2012|access-date=5 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129033304/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Levein-Craig-Bryson-s-recall-deserved-reward/story-16162155-detail/story.html|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2013, Bryson was recalled to the senior squad for [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]] qualifiers against [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]] and [[Macedonia national football team|Macedonia]] in September<ref>[http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=2986&newsCategoryID=6&newsID=12424 Four players added to Scotland squad] scottishfa.co.uk. 2 September 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.</ref> and [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] in October,<ref>[http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/craig-bryson-aims-win-over-2356804 Bryson aims to win Second Cap] dailyrecord.co.uk. 10 October 2013. Retrieved 15 October 2013.</ref> but did not get any match time.


He started a friendly against [[Norway national football team|Norway]] in [[Molde]] on 20 November to gain his second cap for his country.<ref>[http://sport.stv.tv/football/international/249326-craig-bryson-handed-start-for-scotland-against-norway-in-molde/] stvsport. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2014.</ref> He was also called up for a post-season friendly against [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]], but while Derby teammates [[Chris Martin (footballer, born 1988)|Chris Martin]] and [[Craig Forsyth]] made their debuts, Bryson did not come off the substitutes bench.<ref>{{cite news|title=Derby County's Chris Martin, Craig Forsyth make Scotland debuts|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-s-Chris-Martin-Craig-Forsyth-make/story-21154357-detail/story.html|work=Derby Telegraph|date=28 May 2014|accessdate=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232753/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-s-Chris-Martin-Craig-Forsyth-make/story-21154357-detail/story.html|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
He started a friendly against [[Norway national football team|Norway]] in [[Molde]] on 20 November to gain his second cap for his country.<ref>[http://sport.stv.tv/football/international/249326-craig-bryson-handed-start-for-scotland-against-norway-in-molde/] stvsport. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2014.</ref> He was also called up for a post-season friendly against [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]], but while Derby teammates [[Chris Martin (footballer, born 1988)|Chris Martin]] and [[Craig Forsyth]] made their debuts, Bryson did not come off the substitutes bench.<ref>{{cite news|title=Derby County's Chris Martin, Craig Forsyth make Scotland debuts|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-s-Chris-Martin-Craig-Forsyth-make/story-21154357-detail/story.html|work=Derby Telegraph|date=28 May 2014|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714232753/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Derby-County-s-Chris-Martin-Craig-Forsyth-make/story-21154357-detail/story.html|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Style of play==
==Style of play==
Bryson plays in central midfield and describes himself as a "[[Midfielder#Box-to-box midfielder|box-to-box central midfielder]], who will always give 100% for the team."<ref name="seize"/>
Bryson plays in central midfield and describes himself as a "[[Midfielder#Box-to-box midfielder|box-to-box central midfielder]], who will always give 100% for the team."<ref name="seize"/>


Bryson scored 16 league goals for Derby in the 2013–14 season, which was more than he had scored in any of his previous three seasons combined. He put this improvement down to manager Steve McClaren: "he's changed the formation slightly and I have more freedom to get in the box and support Chris [Martin]. We are a good partnership."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scotland-midfielder-craig-bryson-scored-3632714|title=Scotland midfielder Craig Bryson: I scored for Clyde when they beat Celtic but now I'll make it up to Gordon Strachan|publisher=Daily Record|date=1 June 2014|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref> Scotland manager [[Gordon Strachan]] hailed the understanding between the two when he called them up for a friendly with Nigeria in May 2014: "When you look at the link-up between [Martin] and Bryson, I think it's 40-odd goals they've scored between them. It's a smashing partnership."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27371603|title=Derby's Chris Martin and Craig Forsyth in Scotland squad|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 May 2014|accessdate=7 July 2014}}</ref>
Bryson scored 16 league goals for Derby in the 2013–14 season, which was more than he had scored in any of his previous three seasons combined. He put this improvement down to manager Steve McClaren: "he's changed the formation slightly and I have more freedom to get in the box and support Chris [Martin]. We are a good partnership."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/scotland-midfielder-craig-bryson-scored-3632714|title=Scotland midfielder Craig Bryson: I scored for Clyde when they beat Celtic but now I'll make it up to Gordon Strachan|publisher=Daily Record|date=1 June 2014|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref> Scotland manager [[Gordon Strachan]] hailed the understanding between the two when he called them up for a friendly with Nigeria in May 2014: "When you look at the link-up between [Martin] and Bryson, I think it's 40-odd goals they've scored between them. It's a smashing partnership."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27371603|title=Derby's Chris Martin and Craig Forsyth in Scotland squad|publisher=BBC Sport|date=12 May 2014|access-date=7 July 2014}}</ref>


Martin himself said of his partnership with Bryson in May 2014: "I think people must hate playing against him, because I certainly would. I wouldn't want to mark him. People can't stay with him, he's got that much energy. From my point of view, he helps my game, because he takes people away and runs in behind. It makes it easier for me to play, because he's always there next to me."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Striker-Chris-Martin-says-Craig-Bryson-s-Derby/story-21043634-detail/story.html|title=Striker Chris Martin says Craig Bryson's Derby County player of the year award was well deserved|publisher=Derby Evening Telegraph|date=2 May 2014|accessdate=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709034332/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Striker-Chris-Martin-says-Craig-Bryson-s-Derby/story-21043634-detail/story.html|archive-date=9 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Martin himself said of his partnership with Bryson in May 2014: "I think people must hate playing against him, because I certainly would. I wouldn't want to mark him. People can't stay with him, he's got that much energy. From my point of view, he helps my game, because he takes people away and runs in behind. It makes it easier for me to play, because he's always there next to me."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Striker-Chris-Martin-says-Craig-Bryson-s-Derby/story-21043634-detail/story.html|title=Striker Chris Martin says Craig Bryson's Derby County player of the year award was well deserved|publisher=Derby Evening Telegraph|date=2 May 2014|access-date=7 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140709034332/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Striker-Chris-Martin-says-Craig-Bryson-s-Derby/story-21043634-detail/story.html|archive-date=9 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Career statistics==
==Career statistics==


===Club===
===Club===
{{updated|match played 19 February 2020}}
{{updated|match played 23 August 2022}}


{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Line 179: Line 195:
|-
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]]
|rowspan="4"|[[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]]
|[[2004–05 Clyde F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name="Games played by Craig Bryson in 2004/2005">{{cite web| title = Games played by Craig Bryson in 2004/2005| url = http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_134/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| publisher = Clyde Mad| accessdate = 5 July 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045430/http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_134/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| archive-date = 4 March 2016| url-status = dead}}</ref>
|[[2004–05 Clyde F.C. season|2004–05]]<ref name="Games played by Craig Bryson in 2004/2005">{{cite web| title = Games played by Craig Bryson in 2004/2005| url = http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_134/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| publisher = Clyde Mad| access-date = 5 July 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304045430/http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_134/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| archive-date = 4 March 2016| url-status = dead}}</ref>
|rowspan="3"|[[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Scottish Football League First Division|Scottish First Division]]
|28||3||2||1||2||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=SLC>Appearances in [[Scottish Challenge Cup]]</ref>||0||34||4
|27||3||2||1||2||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=SLC>Appearances in [[Scottish Challenge Cup]]</ref>||0||33||4
|-
|-
|[[2005–06 Clyde F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref name="Games played by Craig Bryson in 2005/2006">{{cite web| title = Games played by Craig Bryson in 2005/2006| url = http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_135/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| publisher = Clyde Mad| accessdate = 5 July 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224900/http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_135/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| archive-date = 3 March 2016| url-status = dead}}</ref>
|[[2005–06 Clyde F.C. season|2005–06]]<ref name="Games played by Craig Bryson in 2005/2006">{{cite web| title = Games played by Craig Bryson in 2005/2006| url = http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_135/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| publisher = Clyde Mad| access-date = 5 July 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303224900/http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_135/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| archive-date = 3 March 2016| url-status = dead}}</ref>
|33||2||3||1||3||1||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=SLC/>||0||40||4
|32||2||3||1||3||1||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=SLC/>||0||39||4
|-
|-
|[[2006–07 Clyde F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref name="Games played by Craig Bryson in 2006/2007">{{cite web| title = Games played by Craig Bryson in 2006/2007| url = http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_136/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| publisher = Clyde Mad| accessdate = 5 July 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235233/http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_136/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| archive-date = 3 March 2016| url-status = dead}}</ref>
|[[2006–07 Clyde F.C. season|2006–07]]<ref name="Games played by Craig Bryson in 2006/2007">{{cite web| title = Games played by Craig Bryson in 2006/2007| url = http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_136/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| publisher = Clyde Mad| access-date = 5 July 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235233/http://www.clyde-mad.co.uk/derby_county/player/season_136/craig_bryson_44032/index.shtml| archive-date = 3 March 2016| url-status = dead}}</ref>
|34||3||1||0||1||0||4<ref group=lower-alpha name=SLC/>||1||40||4
|33||3||1||0||1||0||4<ref group=lower-alpha name=SLC/>||1||39||4
|-
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!colspan="2"|Total
!95!!8!!6!!2!!6!!1!!7!!1!!114!!12
!92!!8!!6!!2!!6!!1!!7!!1!!111!!12
|-
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]
|rowspan="5"|[[Kilmarnock F.C.|Kilmarnock]]
Line 224: Line 240:
|-
|-
|[[2015–16 Derby County F.C. season|2015–16]]<ref name="Games played by Craig Bryson in 2015/2016">{{Soccerbase season|39152|2015|name=Craig Bryson|accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref>
|[[2015–16 Derby County F.C. season|2015–16]]<ref name="Games played by Craig Bryson in 2015/2016">{{Soccerbase season|39152|2015|name=Craig Bryson|accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref>
|23||3||1||0||0||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLP/>||0||26||3
|21||3||1||0||0||0||2<ref group=lower-alpha name=FLP/>||0||24||3
|-
|-
|[[2016–17 Derby County F.C. season|2016–17]]<ref name="Games played by Craig Bryson in 2016/2017">{{Soccerbase season|39152|2016|name=Craig Bryson|accessdate=8 September 2017}}</ref>
|[[2016–17 Derby County F.C. season|2016–17]]<ref name="Games played by Craig Bryson in 2016/2017">{{Soccerbase season|39152|2016|name=Craig Bryson|accessdate=8 September 2017}}</ref>
Line 233: Line 249:
|-
|-
|[[2018-19 Derby County F.C. season|2018–19]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|39152|2018|accessdate=16 May 2019}}</ref>
|[[2018-19 Derby County F.C. season|2018–19]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|39152|2018|accessdate=16 May 2019}}</ref>
|28||3||3||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||32||3
|28||3||3||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||32||3
|-
|-
!colspan="2" |Total
!colspan="2"|Total
!253!!40!!11!!1!!10!!1!!4!!0!!288!!42
!251!!40!!11!!1!!10!!1!!4!!0!!276!!42
|-
|-
|[[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] (loan)
|[[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] (loan)
Line 243: Line 259:
|22||2||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||22||2
|22||2||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||22||2
|-
|-
|[[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]]
|rowspan="3"|[[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]]
|[[2019–20 Aberdeen F.C. season|2019–20]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|39152|2019|accessdate=12 July 2019}}</ref>
|[[2019–20 Aberdeen F.C. season|2019–20]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|39152|2019|accessdate=12 July 2019}}</ref>
|[[Scottish Premiership]]
|rowspan="2"|[[Scottish Premiership]]
|8||0||1||0||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]</ref>||0||11||0
|8||0||2||0||1||0||1<ref group=lower-alpha>Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]</ref>||0||12||0
|-
|[[2020–21 Aberdeen F.C. season|2020–21]]<ref name=CB20>{{soccerbase season|39152|2020|accessdate=1 August 2020}}</ref>
|2||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||2||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!10!!0!!2!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!14!!0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]]
|[[2020–21 St Johnstone F.C. season|2020–21]]<ref name=CB20/>
|rowspan="2"|Scottish Premiership
|20||0||4||0||4||0||colspan="2"|—||28||0
|-
|[[2021–22 St Johnstone F.C. season|2021–22]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|39152|2021|access-date=6 August 2021}}</ref>
|9||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||10||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!29!!0!!4!!0!!5!!0!!0!!0!!38!!0
|-
|rowspan="1"|[[Stenhousemuir F.C.|Stenhousemuir]]
|[[2022–23 Scottish League Two|2022–23]]<ref>{{soccerbase season|39152|2022|access-date=4 September 2022}}</ref>
|rowspan="1"|Scottish League Two
|3||0||0||0||4||1||1<ref group=lower-alpha name=SLC/>||0||8||1
|-
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!colspan="3"|Career total
!496!!62!!27!!4!!25!!3!!12!!1!!570!!70
!525!!62!!32!!4!!34!!4!!13!!1!!604!!71
|}
|}


Line 255: Line 293:


===International===
===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
{{updated|07:30, 5 January 2019 (UTC)}}<ref>{{NFT player|id=40578|name=Craig Bryson|accessdate=17 June 2014}}</ref>
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{NFT player|40578|name=Craig Bryson|accessdate=17 June 2014}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ International statistics
|-
|-
! National team !! Year !! Apps !! Goals
!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]
|rowspan="7"|[[Scotland national football team|Scotland]]
| 2010 || 1 || 0
|2010||1||0
|-
|-
| 2011 || colspan = 2|
|2011||colspan=2"|—
|-
|-
| 2012 || colspan = 2|
|2012||colspan=2"|—
|-
|-
| 2013 || 1 || 0
|2013||1||0
|-
|-
| 2014 || colspan = 2|
|2014||colspan=2"|—
|-
|-
| 2015 || colspan = 2|
|2015||colspan=2"|—
|-
|-
| 2016 || 1 || 0
|2016||1||0
|-
|-
! colspan="2" | Total !! 3 !! 0
!colspan="2"|Total!!3!!0
|}
|}


Line 284: Line 320:
*[[Scottish Challenge Cup]] runner-up: [[2006–07 Scottish Challenge Cup|2006–07]]
*[[Scottish Challenge Cup]] runner-up: [[2006–07 Scottish Challenge Cup|2006–07]]


'''Cardiff City'''
'''St Johnstone'''
*[[Scottish Cup]]: [[2020–21 Scottish Cup|2020–21]]<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Lindsay|first=Clive|date=22 May 2021|title=Perth side complete domestic cup double|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/57125203|access-date=22 May 2021|website=BBC}}</ref>
*[[EFL Championship]] runner-up: [[2017–18 EFL Championship|2017–18]]<ref>{{cite book |editor-first=John |editor-last=Anderson |title=Football Yearbook 2018–2019 |year=2018 |publisher=Headline Publishing Group |location=London |isbn=978-1-4722-6106-9 |pages=106–107}}</ref>
*[[Scottish League Cup]]: [[2020–21 Scottish League Cup|2020–21]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56217717|title=St Johnstone beat Livingston to clinch their first League Cup|publisher=BBC|accessdate=28 February 2021|date=28 February 2021}}</ref>


'''Individual'''
'''Individual'''
*[[PFA Scotland Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Scotland Team of the Year#First Division|2006–07 First Division]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/6586371.stm |title=Division One team of year |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 April 2007 |accessdate=23 May 2018}}</ref>
*[[PFA Scotland Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Scotland Team of the Year#First Division|2006–07 First Division]]<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_div_1/6586371.stm |title=Division One team of year |publisher=BBC Sport |date=23 April 2007 |access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref>
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (2010s)#Championship 5|2013–14 Championship]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27180793 |title=Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker wins PFA Player of the Year award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2014 |accessdate=23 May 2018}}</ref>
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[PFA Team of the Year (2010s)#Championship 5|2013–14 Championship]]<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27180793 |title=Luis Suarez: Liverpool striker wins PFA Player of the Year award |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 April 2014 |access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref>
*[[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]] Young Player of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2007/04/27/2072/#.XSFOBuhKjIU | title=Farewell to Craig Bryson | publisher=Clyde FC | date=27 April 2007 | accessdate=7 July 2019}}</ref>
*[[Clyde F.C.|Clyde]] Young Player of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2007/04/27/2072/#.XSFOBuhKjIU | title=Farewell to Craig Bryson | publisher=Clyde FC | date=27 April 2007 | access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref>
*[[Derby County F.C. Player of the Year|Derby County Player of the Year]]: [[2011–12 Derby County F.C. season|2011–12]]; [[2013–14 Derby County F.C. season|2013–14]]
*[[Derby County F.C. Player of the Year|Derby County Player of the Year]]: [[2011–12 Derby County F.C. season|2011–12]]; [[2013–14 Derby County F.C. season|2013–14]]
*[[East Kilbride Thistle F.C.|East Kilbride Thistle]] Young Player of the Year: 2002–03<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2004/11/10/1160/#.XSFN3OhKjIU | title=He's Staying | publisher=Clyde FC | date=10 November 2004 | accessdate=7 July 2019}}</ref>
*[[East Kilbride Thistle F.C.|East Kilbride Thistle]] Young Player of the Year: 2002–03<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.clydefc.co.uk/news/2004/11/10/1160/#.XSFN3OhKjIU | title=He's Staying | publisher=Clyde FC | date=10 November 2004 | access-date=7 July 2019}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 301: Line 338:
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100312102245/http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/articles/craig-bryson-kilmarnock_85937_31658 Kilmarnock Profile ]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100312102245/http://www.kilmarnockfc.co.uk/articles/craig-bryson-kilmarnock_85937_31658 Kilmarnock Profile ]


{{Navboxes colour
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| fg = navy
| list1 =
| list1 =
{{2006–07 PFA Scotland First Division Team of the Year}}
{{2006–07 PFA Scotland First Division Team of the Year}}
{{2013–14 Football League Championship PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2013–14 Football League Championship PFA Team of the Year}}
{{Derby County F.C. Player of the Year}}
{{Derby County F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
}}
{{Aberdeen F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bryson, Craig}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bryson, Craig}}
[[Category:1986 births]]
[[Category:1986 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Rutherglen]]
[[Category:Footballers from Rutherglen]]
[[Category:Scottish footballers]]
[[Category:Scottish men's footballers]]
[[Category:Scotland under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Scotland men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Men's association football midfielders]]
[[Category:Clyde F.C. players]]
[[Category:Clyde F.C. players]]
[[Category:East Kilbride Thistle F.C. players]]
[[Category:East Kilbride Thistle F.C. players]]
Line 325: Line 360:
[[Category:Cardiff City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Cardiff City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Aberdeen F.C. players]]
[[Category:Aberdeen F.C. players]]
[[Category:St Johnstone F.C. players]]
[[Category:Stenhousemuir F.C. players]]
[[Category:Scottish Junior Football Association players]]
[[Category:Scottish Junior Football Association players]]
[[Category:Scottish Football League players]]
[[Category:Scottish Football League players]]
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[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Scottish Professional Football League players]]
[[Category:Scottish Professional Football League players]]
[[Category:Scotland international footballers]]
[[Category:Scotland men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Scotland youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Scotland men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Footballers from East Kilbride]]

Latest revision as of 18:41, 27 May 2024

Craig Bryson
Bryson playing for Kilmarnock in 2009
Personal information
Full name Craig James Bryson[1]
Date of birth (1986-11-06) 6 November 1986 (age 37)[2]
Place of birth Rutherglen, Scotland
Height 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
East Kilbride (Fitness & Condition Coach)
Youth career
Westwood Rovers
–2003 Gardenhall
2003–2007 Clyde
2004East Kilbride Thistle (loan)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2004–2007 Clyde 92 (8)
2007–2011 Kilmarnock 118 (12)
2011–2019 Derby County 251 (40)
2017–2018Cardiff City (loan) 22 (2)
2019–2020 Aberdeen 10 (0)
2020–2022 St Johnstone 29 (0)
2022 Stenhousemuir 8 (1)
Total 525 (62)
International career
2006 Scotland U21[3] 1 (0)
2010–2016 Scotland[4] 3 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Craig James Bryson (born 6 November 1986) is a Scottish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Bryson is now a strength and conditioning coach with Kilmarnock FC Women, in addition to owning a gym based in Kilmarnock called Total Fitness[5]

Bryson began his career at Scottish First Division club Clyde, for whom he made his professional debut in 2004. He moved to Scottish Premier League club Kilmarnock in 2007 before being bought by Derby County in 2011. At Derby, Bryson twice won the club's Player of the Year Award in 2012 and 2014. He was also named to the PFA Championship Team of the Year in 2014. He became the first Derby player to score a hat-trick against their fierce rivals Nottingham Forest in 116 years when he did so in a 5–0 win in March 2014.

Bryson was loaned to Cardiff City during the 2017–18 season and left Derby in 2019 to sign for Aberdeen. After stints with St Johnstone and Stenhousemuir, he retired from playing in September 2022. He also played in three full international matches for Scotland between 2010 and 2016.

Club career

[edit]

Clyde

[edit]

2003–04 season

[edit]

Born in Rutherglen, Bryson began his career with non-league side Westwood Rovers.[6] He signed a professional contract with Scottish First Division club Clyde at the beginning of the 2003–04 season. He turned down the opportunity to sign for Scottish Premiership club Motherwell because he wanted to play regular first-team football, and he didn't feel that he would get that at Motherwell.[7] He didn't make a first-team appearance that season but was loaned out to junior outfit East Kilbride Thistle for the latter part of the season. He made a big impression in his time at East Kilbride, scoring two goals in eight league appearances and winning the club's Young Player of the Year award.[8]

2004–05 season

[edit]

Bryson made his first team debut for Clyde in the 2004–05 season in a Scottish First Division match against Raith Rovers on 14 August 2004, and scored a goal after 4 minutes in a match Clyde won 3–2.[9] He was rewarded with a new two-year contract in November 2004[8] and his good form at club level saw him called up to the Scotland under-19 team for a friendly against Germany.[10] In February 2004, Bryson scored in a 2–1 victory over Ross County in a Scottish Cup replay, which set up a quarter-final tie against Celtic, the team he supported as a boy.[11] Bryson started against Celtic and thought he had scored after hitting the back of the net from a long-range strike, but this goal was controversially ruled out after the referee blew his whistle to award a free kick to Clyde. Celtic went on to win 5–0.[12] Bryson continued his good form over the season, winning Clyde's Young Player of the Year Award for 2004–05.[13]

2005–06 season

[edit]
Bryson in January 2006

During the 2005–06 season, Bryson scored goals against both halves of the Old Firm. In September 2005, he scored Clyde's equalising goal against Rangers in a Scottish League Cup tie at Ibrox Stadium, in a 5–2 extra time defeat.[14][15] In January 2006, Bryson scored the opener in the famous 2–1 Scottish Cup win over holders Celtic, the game in which Roy Keane made his Celtic debut.[16] Bryson nodded the ball into an open net to make it 1–0 after a cross from Eddie Malone evaded the Celtic defence.[17] The win and his performance brought him to prominence[18][19] and he was subsequently linked with moves to Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur[20] and was called up to the Scotland under-21 side.[21]

2006–07 season

[edit]

In the 2006–07 season, in October 2006, Bryson scored in a 3–1 victory over Greenock Morton in a Scottish Challenge Cup semi-final, which sent Clyde to their first major final in 48 years.[22] Bryson started the final the following month against Ross County, which Clyde lost on penalties.[23] Bryson, along with clubmate Neil McGregor, was selected for the SPFA First Division Team of the Year.[24] Bryson's contract expired at the end of the season, and in January 2007, Billy Davies, then-manager of his future club Derby County, took him on a week's trial.[25] However, Davies decided not to sign him permanently.[26] In February, Scottish Premier League club Kilmarnock approached Bryson[27] and in May, Kilmarnock manager Jim Jefferies confirmed that talks were ongoing.[28] Bryson had rejected Clyde's offer of a new contract[28] and thus left Clyde at the end of the 2006–07 season, having made 114 appearances in all competitions, scoring 12 goal.[29]

Kilmarnock

[edit]

2007–08 season

[edit]

Bryson signed for Kilmarnock in July 2007 on a free transfer ahead of the 2007–08 season.[30] As he was under the age of 24, Kilmarnock had to pay Clyde compensation,[30] which was agreed upon between the two clubs in September.[31] Bryson started 16 league games and came on as a substitute in 3 more, making his league debut for the club as a 71st-minute substitute against St Mirren on 22 September 2007. He almost scored in the 88th minute, but his powerful shot was well held by St Mirren keeper Chris Smith and the match finished 0–0.[32]

He scored his first goals for the club in a 3–1 victory against Aberdeen on 24 February 2008: the first a volley at the far post from 7 yards out in the 14th minute and the second was a close-range finish from an "almost identical position" in the 75th minute. Sandwiched between his goals, he provided an assist for centre half Frazer Wright, who, up for a corner at the end of the first half, headed Bryson's cross in. For his efforts, Bryson was named man of the match and won the plaudits of his manager Jim Jefferies, who said: "Craig's whole game was terrific and if he keeps playing like that we've got a real player on our hands. It was a top performance by him and for me he was the best player on the pitch by a mile."[33][34][35] He scored twice more and was again named man of the match in a 4–1 win against Inverness Caledonian Thistle on 22 March. His first goal, a "terrific" 25-yard shot in the 50th minute, was followed by a 56th-minute effort that he drilled into the net via a deflection off a defender.[36][37][38]

2008–09 season

[edit]

During the 2008–09 season, Bryson established himself as an important first team player, making thirty-three league appearances, thirty-one of them starts. His first goal of the season came in a Scottish League Cup second round match against Brechin City on 27 August 2008. Described variously as "stunning", "unstoppable", "sublime" and "a thunderbolt", he scored the second in a 2–0 win when he received a cross from Garry Hay and flicked the ball into the top corner.[39][40][41] His next two goals were late winners in successive matches: on 4 October, in a 2–1 win at the Hearts he made a well-timed run into the box in the 82nd minute to collect a return pass from Donovan Simmonds and finish well into the bottom corner;[42][43][44] and then on 18 October, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win at home to Motherwell, slipping the ball into the net at the far post in the 89th minute after a deflected shot-cum-cross from Jamie Hamill.[45][46] Manager Jim Jefferies praised Bryson after the win over the Hearts, saying his late run into the box and finish were comparable to a move by Colin Cameron.[47] He was also named man of the match after the win over Motherwell.[48]

He was rewarded for his fine form in December 2008 with an extension to his contract that ran until the summer of 2013.[49]

2009–10 season

[edit]
Bryson playing for Kilmarnock in August 2009

During the 2009–10 season, Bryson was appointed captain by manager Jimmy Calderwood. Calderwood had originally given Manuel Pascali the armband after he took over in January 2010,[50] but changed his mind shortly after and gave it to Bryson, wanting Pascali to concentrate on his football.[51]

Bryson ended the season with 4 league goals: a 90th minute consolation in a 2–1 defeat at home to Hearts on 28 November 2009;[52] Kilmarnock's 4th and the 7th in the match in a 4–4 draw with Dundee United on 30 January 2010 – a "stunning volley" that manager Jimmy Calderwood said was "fit to win any game";[53] the only goal in a 1–0 win over Falkirk on 10 February;[54] and a deflected cross that came off a Celtic defender in a 3–1 defeat at Celtic Park on 27 March.[55] Kilmarnock finished the season in 11th place, 2 points above Falkirk, who were relegated after a 0–0 draw at Kilmarnock on the final day of the season.[56]

2010–11 season

[edit]

At the end of the 2009–10 season, Bryson was linked with a move to Hearts, who were managed by Jim Jefferies, who had signed Bryson when he was manager of Kilmarnock. Bryson said: "we'll wait and see if anything materialises over the summer. Jim Jefferies signed me from Clyde and gave me my chance in the SPL and I'm grateful to him for that. I enjoyed working under him at Kilmarnock and wouldn't mind working under him again. Every player has ambitions to play at the highest level and I'm no different so we'll just wait and see if an offer comes in but I'm happy at Killie just now."[51] Hearts were prepared to offer £300,000 but Kilmarnock valued Bryson at closer to £500,000 and talks between the two clubs collapsed.[57][58][59] Hearts turned their attention to their former midfielder Paul Hartley, whose contract with English Championship club Bristol City was about to expire. However, they dropped their interest in Hartley after he refused to distance himself from criticism of Hearts' majority shareholder Vladimir Romanov during his first stint with the club.[60] Hearts thus turned their attention back to Bryson and gave Kilmarnock a final "take-it-or-leave-it" offer, which included a "significant sell-on clause" but not an increased transfer fee. The offer was rejected.[61] Hearts returned with two more bids on transfer deadline day, which were also rejected. Bryson said that he was "relieved the window has now closed... It's nice that other clubs want you, it shows you must be doing well, but it's not to be just now and I'll carry on doing well for Kilmarnock."[62]

Kimarnock expected Hearts to make another attempt to sign Bryson in the January transfer window,[63][64] but Bryson suffered an ankle injury that ended any potential move for him.[65]

Derby County

[edit]

2011–12 season

[edit]

At the end of the 2010–11 season, it was reported that Brighton & Hove Albion, Derby County, Hull City and Leicester City were interested in signing Bryson, with Derby the favourites to sign him and Bryson himself only interested in moving to Derby.[7][66][67] After Kilmarnock rejected two bids for Bryson from Derby, on 4 June 2011, it was confirmed that the two clubs had agreed a fee. Bryson signed for Derby on a three-year contract on 9 June, which went through on 1 July following the re-opening of the transfer window. The fee was speculated to be £350,000, rising to £450,000 after add-on clauses.[68] Derby manager Nigel Clough called Bryson a "tremendous signing" and "a leader on and off the field" with "energy and ability in abundance".[69] Bryson expressed his happiness at moving to Derby, saying that:

The move has come at the right time for me. I have been playing in the SPL for four years and it does get repetitive facing the same sides four times a season. It can get monotonous. With only one team going down and one coming up there is no freshness and everything is catered for the Old Firm. But in the Championship you are playing teams just twice a season and they are all massive clubs. Celtic and Rangers draw average crowds of 50–60,000 and Killie get gates of between 4–5,000. It is hard to fight against the Old Firm as they have more money and attract the best players. The winner of the league is only ever going to come from either of the Old Firm – and I just don't see that changing in the foreseeable future. That's why I am delighted to sign for Derby as it is a fresh challenge.[7]

Bryson made a strong start to his Derby career, despite a pre-season disrupted by injury, scoring the winner with his first Derby goal in a 1–0 victory at Blackpool and helping the side to four straight victories from opening day – the club's best season start for 106 years. He scored his first goal at Pride Park in a 3–0 victory over Millwall.[70] Derby enjoyed a fine first quarter to the season and found themselves fourth in the table, with manager Nigel Clough singling out Bryson as the top performer of the season so far.[70] His third goal of the season came in his man of the match performance in Derby's 3–1 win over Portsmouth,[71] which also saw him named in the Championship team of the week.[72] He scored against Bristol City in a 2–1 home win for Derby on 10 December 2011, tapping in from close range[73] and scored in the 1–1 reverse fixture at Ashton Gate Stadium on 31 March 2012, with a side-foot finish.[74] Bryson scored his sixth goal of the season in a 2–0 win at Leeds United a 25-yard curling shot which beat Leeds 'keeper Andy Lonergan.[75] These goals cemented Bryson's place as Derby's third top scorer during the season, behind strikers Steve Davies and Theo Robinson. Bryson was a regular in the Derby team during the season, where he missed only 3 of the 49 games Derby played. Bryson's form was rewarded by winning the fans Player of the Season award.[76] Bryson also won the Club & Supporter's Club player of the year awards.[77]

2012–13 season

[edit]

Bryson was a regular in the Derby side at the start of the 2012–13 season, however the season was disrupted by a knee injury which ruled him out of several games.[78] Bryson return three weeks earlier than expected as he started and scored in a 2–0 win at Bristol City however Nigel Clough stated he was not fully fit and was doubt for the next game.[78] Bryson was able to start the next three games, but missed the game at home to Middlesbrough on 1 January 2013 after picking scar tissue on his hamstring.[79] Bryson returned to the team in mid-January and despite picking up a re-occurrence of his injury in early March, Bryson soon regained his place in the side and his performance alongside midfield partner Jeff Hendrick in Derby's 3–0 win over Bristol City on 29 March earned them both praise from first team coach Andy Garner.[80] Bryson was named the 84th best player in the 2012–13 Football League Championship by the Actim Index[81] and it was confirmed in May 2013 that the club were in talks to extend his contract at Pride Park,[82] with Bryson signing a new three-year contract later that month.[83]

2013–14 season

[edit]

Ahead of the 2013–14 season, Bryson was expected to compete with Paul Coutts, Jeff Hendrick and Will Hughes for a central midfield role.[84] Manager Nigel Clough stated his intention to rotate the squad, saying that it was "lovely to have that healthy competition" for places.[84] In the event of the season, Bryson was an ever-present in the starting line-up in the league until the 32nd fixture.

His first goal of the season came in a 3–0 win at Yeovil Town on 24 August, which was quickly followed up by his first career hat-trick in a 5–1 win at Millwall on 14 September, which was also the first league hat-trick by a Derby player since Paul Simpson in April 1996.[85] After a 1–0 defeat at Nottingham Forest, with the club having won only once in the last six matches, having failed to win at home, and lying in 14th place, manager Nigel Clough was sacked. Bryson was saddened by the move, saying it came as a "shock", adding that Clough "has been excellent for me, he brought me down from Scotland and gave me my chance in England. So obviously I was sad to see him go. But it happens in football and you just have to get on with it." Clough was replaced by Steve McClaren and Bryson said that he was looking forward to working with the new manager.[86]

The next game was at home against Ipswich Town, with academy manager Darren Wassall in charge and McClaren watching from the stands. Bryson captained the side for the first time in the match and Derby ended the first half 4–1 down, but after a half-time team talk from McClaren, who also made two substitutions, Derby came back to draw 4–4, with Bryson scoring twice, including the last, an 88th-minute equaliser.[87]

After a two-month barren spell, Bryson scored five goals in six games: one each in a 3–1 win at Wigan, in a 5–1 win against Blackpool, in a 2–0 win at Charlton, in a 3–1 win against Doncaster and in a 1–1 draw at Huddersfield. This coincided with an unbeaten run that saw The Rams win 8 and draw 1 out of 9 matches, moving from 11th in the table to 2nd. He did however miss the 1–0 home win over AFC Bournemouth on 22 February, the first and only league match he missed all season. His goal against Huddersfield coming on Boxing Day, Bryson didn't score again until 28 January 2014, getting the 2nd in a 3–2 win at home to Yeovil Town.

He next scored on 22 March, netting a hat-trick against Derby's local rivals Nottingham Forest in a 5–0 win, becoming the first Derby player to score a hat-trick against Forest since Steve Bloomer in 1898 and earning a recall to the Scotland squad. His final goal of the season came in a 3–1 win at Blackpool on 8 April. Overall, he scored 16 goals as Derby finished 3rd and qualified for the play-offs. He started the semi-final first leg, a 2–1 win at Brighton & Hove Albion, but was substituted in the 89th minute with a back injury, and missed the second leg, a 4–1 win that sent Derby through to the final.[88] He recovered in time for the play-off final against Queens Park Rangers, but was named to the bench as the form of Will Hughes and Jeff Hendrick meant they kept their places. He came on for Hughes in the 68th minute and almost scored but for a good save from QPR keeper Robert Green. Derby went on to lose the game 1–0.[89]

Bryson's performances throughout the campaign earned him the Derby County Player of the Year award and a place in the PFA Championship Team of the Season, alongside fellow Derby midfielder Will Hughes.

2014–15 season

[edit]

"Both the Club and I have shown our commitment to each other... there was a bid from another Club... in the Premier League, but I would love to try and get into the Premier League with Derby County... I see my future at Derby County and I am just happy to get everything sorted to extend my stay. The deal secures my future; I know where I am going to be playing for the next five years."

Bryson on signing a new contract[90]

In June 2014, Derby rejected an offer from Burnley for Bryson.[91] Bryson was however given permission to speak to Burnley, later saying that "it doesn't matter what team it is, when someone puts an offer in for you I think you owe them the respect to sit down and speak to them... but just because I did that didn't mean I was going to sign for them." Soon afterwards, he agreed a new five-year contract with Derby, saying that his bond with the fans was part of the reason that he chose to stay: "I've got a good bond with the fans as well and that was a big part in my decision to stay here. The fans have been excellent ever since I walked through the door. When you come to a new club it can take time to win over the fans, but they have been fantastic with me... they helped me make the biggest decision of my career, if not my life. I took a while to think about it and I knew it would be a massive decision. I went through stages where one minute I thought I was leaving and then the next minute I think I'm staying. But in the end it turned out to be an easy decision for me because Derby are such a great club to be part of."[92][93][94]

Bryson played 38 league matches in the 2014–15 season, but it was an inconsistent one for him: only 25 of them were starts and he only scored five goals: the second in a 5–1 win against Fulham on 23 August 2014, an 84th-minute equaliser in a 2–2 draw against Cardiff City on 20 September, an 81st-minute winner in a 2–1 victory at Watford, the consolation in a 3–1 League Cup defeat to Chelsea on 16 December and a 3rd-minute opener in a 4–0 win at home to Blackpool on 14 April 2015.

After starting 14 of the first 15 league matches,[95] he picked up an injury in a 2–1 defeat to Brentford on 1 November and was out for three weeks.[95] He came off the bench in the game against Watford to score a "stunning" winner but found himself on the bench for the next game, a 2–0 defeat to Leeds,[95] before starting five of the next six matches: a 3–0 win against Brighton and Hove Albion, a 2–0 defeat to Middlesbrough, the 3–1 defeat to Chelsea, a 2–2 draw against Norwich City on 20 December and a 2–0 win against Leeds on 30 December.[95] He missed the 4–0 win against Birmingham City on Boxing Day with a calf problem, having come off in the 74th minute against Norwich.[96] He played 90 minutes of the following match, a 1–0 FA Cup win against Southport on 3 January 2015, but then found himself on the sidelines for the rest of the season, behind Will Hughes, Jeff Hendrick and Omar Mascarell in the pecking order for the three central midfield places.[95] Of his next 11 League appearances, 9 of them came from the bench and the two that he did start ended in 2–1 defeats for The Rams: against Nottingham Forest on 17 January and against Reading on 14 February. Bryson finally returned to the starting XI on 17 March in a 1–0 defeat to Middlesbrough and started five of the next six matches, missing only the 2–0 win against Wigan on 6 April with a calf problem.[97] However, his fifth start from those six matches would prove to be his last of the season. He was taken off in the 9th minute of the 4–4 draw against Huddersfield Town on 18 April with a thigh injury and missed the final two matches of the season. Having been top of the table in late February, a run of two wins from the last thirteen matches saw Derby finish eighth, a single point off the playoffs, and manager Steve McClaren sacked.[95]

2015–16 season

[edit]

Bryson's start to the season was hampered by an injury which he picked up in the opening game of the season away to Bolton Wanderers on 8 August. He was taken off in the 21st minute suffering from what was later revealed to be a stretched ligament on the inside of his knee and was ruled out for 2 to 4 weeks.[98] However, he was ruled out for longer than first thought; six weeks later, new Derby manager Paul Clement reported that Bryson was still feeling some discomfort in his knee, which meant he was "finding some things difficult to do relating to shooting and long passing".[99] A week later, on 1 October, Clement revealed that Bryson had had injections in his knee to speed up the healing process and would thus miss training for a fortnight to allow his knee to settle. Clement said that "I think we all underestimated the severity of the injury he picked up on the opening day just because of his character. He wanted to push and push to get back as soon as possible but you have to allow the healing process to take place."[100] Bryson returned to training on 16 October,[101] played 90 minutes in an under-21 match against Newcastle United on 26 October[102] and finally made his return to first team action on 31 October, coming on as a 79th-minute substitute for new signing Jacob Butterfield in a 3–0 win against Rotherham.

On the final day of the summer transfer window of 2017, Bryson joined fellow Championship side Cardiff City on a season-long loan deal.[103] He scored his first goal for the club in a 2–1 win against Sunderland on 23 September 2017.[104]

He was offered a new contract by Derby County at the end of the 2018–19 season,[105] but instead agreed a pre-contract with Aberdeen.[106]

Aberdeen

[edit]

Bryson's Aberdeen career was hampered by injury, playing only 6 games at the start of the 2019–20 season due to an ankle injury.[107]

In August 2020 he was one of eight Aberdeen players who received a suspended three-match ban from the Scottish FA after they breached coronavirus-related restrictions by visiting a bar earlier in the month.[108] On 9 September 2020, Bryson departed Aberdeen via mutual consent.[109]

St Johnstone

[edit]

A week after leaving Aberdeen, Bryson signed with St Johnstone on a contract to the end of the 2020–21 season.[110] Bryson would enjoy success with St Johnstone, lifting both the Scottish League Cup and the Scottish Cup in the 2020–21 season.[111][112] In December 2021 however, Bryson would suffer an ankle injury against Celtic which would require surgery and end his season.[113]

Stenhousemuir

[edit]

In June 2022 following the end of his contract with St Johnstone, Bryson decided to go part-time and sign a one-year deal with Scottish League Two side Stenhousemuir.[114] Bryson retired from playing football in September 2022.[115]

International career

[edit]

Bryson was capped by Scotland at under-19 and under-21 level while with Clyde. He was called up for a Scotland B match in 2009 but was later withdrawn at the request of his club manager Jim Jefferies.[116]

On 16 November 2010, Bryson made his full international debut as a second-half substitute against the Faroe Islands at Pittodrie.[117] Bryson's form for Derby saw him recalled to the squad for a friendly against the United States in May 2012,[118] but he did not play.[119] In 2013, Bryson was recalled to the senior squad for World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and Macedonia in September[120] and Croatia in October,[121] but did not get any match time.

He started a friendly against Norway in Molde on 20 November to gain his second cap for his country.[122] He was also called up for a post-season friendly against Nigeria, but while Derby teammates Chris Martin and Craig Forsyth made their debuts, Bryson did not come off the substitutes bench.[123]

Style of play

[edit]

Bryson plays in central midfield and describes himself as a "box-to-box central midfielder, who will always give 100% for the team."[5]

Bryson scored 16 league goals for Derby in the 2013–14 season, which was more than he had scored in any of his previous three seasons combined. He put this improvement down to manager Steve McClaren: "he's changed the formation slightly and I have more freedom to get in the box and support Chris [Martin]. We are a good partnership."[124] Scotland manager Gordon Strachan hailed the understanding between the two when he called them up for a friendly with Nigeria in May 2014: "When you look at the link-up between [Martin] and Bryson, I think it's 40-odd goals they've scored between them. It's a smashing partnership."[125]

Martin himself said of his partnership with Bryson in May 2014: "I think people must hate playing against him, because I certainly would. I wouldn't want to mark him. People can't stay with him, he's got that much energy. From my point of view, he helps my game, because he takes people away and runs in behind. It makes it easier for me to play, because he's always there next to me."[126]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
As of match played 23 August 2022
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Clyde 2004–05[127] Scottish First Division 27 3 2 1 2 0 2[a] 0 33 4
2005–06[128] 32 2 3 1 3 1 1[a] 0 39 4
2006–07[129] 33 3 1 0 1 0 4[a] 1 39 4
Total 92 8 6 2 6 1 7 1 111 12
Kilmarnock 2007–08[130] Scottish Premier League 19 4 2 0 1 0 22 4
2008–09[131] 33 2 3 1 3 1 39 4
2009–10[132] 33 4 3 0 2 0 38 4
2010–11[133] 33 2 1 0 2 0 36 2
Total 118 12 9 1 8 1 135 14
Derby County 2011–12[134] Championship 44 6 2 0 0 0 46 6
2012–13[135] 37 5 1 0 1 0 39 5
2013–14[136] 45 16 0 0 2 0 2[b] 0 49 16
2014–15[137] 38 4 2 0 4 1 44 5
2015–16[138] 21 3 1 0 0 0 2[b] 0 24 3
2016–17[139] 34 2 2 1 1 0 37 3
2017–18[140] 4 1 0 0 1 0 5 1
2018–19[141] 28 3 3 0 1 0 32 3
Total 251 40 11 1 10 1 4 0 276 42
Cardiff City (loan) 2017–18[140] Championship 22 2 0 0 0 0 22 2
Aberdeen 2019–20[142] Scottish Premiership 8 0 2 0 1 0 1[c] 0 12 0
2020–21[143] 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Total 10 0 2 0 1 0 1 0 14 0
St Johnstone 2020–21[143] Scottish Premiership 20 0 4 0 4 0 28 0
2021–22[144] 9 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 10 0
Total 29 0 4 0 5 0 0 0 38 0
Stenhousemuir 2022–23[145] Scottish League Two 3 0 0 0 4 1 1[a] 0 8 1
Career total 525 62 32 4 34 4 13 1 604 71
  1. ^ a b c d Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup
  2. ^ a b Appearances in Championship play-offs
  3. ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[146]
National team Year Apps Goals
Scotland 2010 1 0
2011
2012
2013 1 0
2014
2015
2016 1 0
Total 3 0

Honours

[edit]

Clyde

St Johnstone

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Craig Bryson". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 13 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2012). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2012–2013 (43rd ed.). London: Headline. p. 463. ISBN 978-0-7553-6356-8.
  3. ^ Craig Bryson (A Squad) fitbastats.com. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  4. ^ Craig Bryson (U21 Squad) fitbastats.com. Retrieved 15 October 2013.
  5. ^ a b "We are delighted that Chris McClymont and Craig Bryson have joined in partnership with the club and their gym Total Fitness Kilmarnock". Kilmarnock FC Official X Account. Kilmarnock FC. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  6. ^ "Craig Bryson called up for full Scotland Squad!". westwoodroversfc.co.uk. 15 November 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
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  12. ^ "Clyde 0–5 Celtic". BBC Sport website. 27 February 2005.
  13. ^ Craig Bryson Profile Archived 21 October 2013 at the Wayback Machine gfdb.com. Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  14. ^ "Rangers 5–2 Clyde (aet)". BBC Sport website. 20 September 2005.
  15. ^ "Bryson proud of Clyde performance". BBC Sport website. 21 September 2005.
  16. ^ "Clyde 2–1 Celtic". BBC Sport website. 8 January 2006.
  17. ^ "Keane not amused by Celtic's circus clowns as Clyde ruin big debut". The Guardian. 9 January 2006. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
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  22. ^ "Clyde 3–1 Morton". BBC Sport website. 27 September 2006.
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  35. ^ "Kilmarnock 3–1 Aberdeen". Daily Record. 24 February 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  36. ^ "Young Bryson lands a brace in thrilling four-goal riposte". The Herald. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
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  38. ^ "Kilmarnock 4–1 Inverness CT". BBC Sport. 22 March 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  39. ^ "Brechin 0 – 2 Kilmarnock: Kilmarnock dig deep to battle past Brechin". The Scotsman. 28 August 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
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  44. ^ "Hearts 1–2 Kilmarnock". heartsfc.co.uk. 4 October 2008. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  45. ^ "Kilmarnock 1–0 Motherwell". BBC Sport. 18 October 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  46. ^ "Bryson earns Killie late win". Team Talk. 18 October 2008. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  47. ^ "Hearts 1 Kilmarnock 2: Hearts finally broken by Bryson". The Scotsman. 4 October 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  48. ^ "Kilmarnock 1–0 Motherwell: Killie make ten-man Well suffer". The Scotsman. 18 October 2008. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  49. ^ Bryson staying at Kilmarnock until 2013, The Scotsman, 11 December 2008.
  50. ^ "Jimmy Calderwood asks his Kilmarnock players to pump up the volume". Daily Telegraph. 29 January 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  51. ^ a b "Hearts link is flattering but I'm happy at Kilmarnock, says Craig Bryson". Daily Record. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
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