Richard Brittain

Richard Brittain (born 24 September 1983) is a Scottish former professional footballer.

Brittain started his career with Almondvale side Livingston in 2002, playing 65 league games and scoring four goals.

Brittain was a victim of a team-mate dispute after new signing Sergio Berti spat at him during a pre-season friendly.

This led to Berti being sacked by the club, although this decision was later overturned by the Scottish Football Association following an appeal by Berti resulting in the club paying £250,000 plus compensation.

During his time at Livingston, he was loaned out to Raith Rovers in 2003.

Brittain was cup-tied for Livingston's victory in the 2004 Scottish League Cup Final having previously played in the competition during his loan spell at Raith.

In July 2006, despite interest from French clubs Montpellier and Racing Club Strasbourg, Brittain chose to sign for Scottish Premier League side St Mirren on a free transfer.

At St Mirren, he was most noted for his goal against Rangers on 30 December 2006, which was his only league goal for the Saints.

Brittain was released by St Mirren in May 2008 and signed for Scottish First Division side Ross County in June 2008.

Upon his move to Ross County, Brittain was reunited with Derek Adams, the club's manager, the two having played together while at Livingston.

Brittain made his debut in the opening game of the season, as Ross County lost, 2–1, against Dundee before scoring his first goal on 13 September 2008, in a 2–1 loss against St Johnstone.

Brittain would finish his first season at the club, making thirty-eight appearances and scoring five in all competitions.

Brittain captained Ross County through victories in The Scottish Cup against SPL sides Hibs and Celtic.

During the 2009–10 season, Brittain signed a new contract with the club.

The famous 2–0 victory over Celtic at Hampden Park in the semi-final earned Ross County a place in the 2010 Scottish Cup Final, the club's first ever major final, which County eventually lost 3–0 to Dundee United.

Brittain dedicated the win against Celtic to his late friend Graham Heggie.

In the 2010–11 season, Brittain would be involved in leading Ross County to a 2–0 win against Queen of the South in the final of the Scottish Challenge Cup.

In the 2011–12 season, and into the first six games of 2012–13, Brittain captained Ross County through a post war Scottish record of 40 league games undefeated, over a full calendar year.

This run helped Ross County win the 2011–12 Scottish First Division by a record margin of 24 points and promotion to the Scottish Premier League for the first time in the club's history.

Brittain would describe as his "greatest day of my career".

Brittain would sign a one-year contract with the club.

In the 2012–13 season, Brittain was involved in the club's first league match in the top-flight, where Ross County drew 0–0 with Motherwell.

Brittain would score the club's first goal in the top-flight, as Ross County drew 1–1 with Celtic.

and scored another in the next match, giving Ross County their first win in the SPL, against Dundee.

Brittain was previously criticised by St Johnstone Manager Steve Lomas earlier in the 2012–13 season, calling him a "cheat".

He then changed his mind and said he wanted to stay at Ross County, who then registered him as their player preventing St Johnstone from doing so.

For the start of the 2013–14, Brittain agreed to join St Johnstone on a two-year deal after signing a pre-contract with the club on 9 January 2013.

When Ross County and St Johnstone played on 21 April 2013, Brittain received jeers from St Johnstone fans, though he received praise from Ross County fans.

During the match, Brittain scored two penalties in a 2–2 draw.

After the match, Manager Adams praised Brittain's performance in the match.

On 27 June 2013 St Johnstone announced they had reached agreement with Ross County to transfer Brittain back to them for a fee of £40,000.

This remains the highest sum St.Johnstone have received for a player that did not actually play for them.

Ross County though, have denied any transfer fee was paid, they say a donation was made to St Johnstone's community programme.

At the start of the 2013–14 season, Brittain missed two games at the start of the season after being suspended over an incident in a pre-season friendly match.

After serving his two match suspension, Brittain scored a brace in a 3–0 win over St Mirren on 24 August 2013.

Four weeks later on 21 September 2013 against Hearts, Brittain provided an assist for Melvin de Leeuw to equalised and in return, de Leeuw then provided assist for Brittain to score the winning goal, in a 2–1 win.

In the return game against Hearts on 23 November 2013, Brittain was then sent-off for second bookable offense, which the game ended a 2–2 draw.

On 11 January 2014, Brittain provided a hat-trick assist, in a 3–3 draw against Partick Thistle.

He spent the 2015–16 season as manager of Brora Rangers after a short playing spell at the club.

He started his career at Livingston and also played for Raith Rovers, St Mirren and Ross County.