Tony Watt

Anthony Paul Watt (born 29 December 1993) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a forward for Dundee United.

Watt started his career with Airdrie United in 2009 at under-17 level after impressing youth coach Jimmy Boyle in a bounce game; previously to this he had only played football for fun.

He broke into the first team squad during the 2010–11 season, making his debut on 24 July 2010, playing from the start in a Challenge Cup match against Ayr United.

He made his league debut on 7 August 2010, coming on as a 60th-minute substitute against East Fife, and scored Airdrie United's third goal to draw the match 3–3.

In all he made 19 appearances and scored three goals.

Following his departure to Celtic, he was awarded the SFL young player of the month award for December 2010.

He was a product of the Airdrie United youth academy before joining Celtic in 2011, where he scored the winning goal in a 2–1 win over Barcelona in the 2012–13 UEFA Champions League.

Several clubs including Liverpool and Fulham showed interest in signing Watt during the 2011 January transfer window.

After a trial with Rangers and a week's training with Liverpool, Watt was signed by his boyhood heroes Celtic on 4 January, for a reported fee of £80,000 and future payments dependent on his first-team progression.

He signed a three-year contract.

Watt made his Celtic debut on 22 April 2012 in a 3–0 win over Motherwell.

He scored two goals within five minutes of coming on as a substitute.

On 25 August 2012, Watt made his first start for Celtic scoring two goals in their 4–2 away win against Inverness.

He made his Champions League debut on 7 November 2012, coming on as a second-half substitute for Mikael Lustig and scoring in the 83rd minute in a 2–1 home win against Barcelona.

Four days later, he came off the subs bench to score again, this time in a 1–1 draw against St Johnstone in the league.

On 15 November 2012, Watt signed a new contract extending his stay with Celtic until 2016.

Watt made a further 14 appearances for Celtic that season, mostly coming on as a substitute, and did not score any more goals.

Watt fell out of favour at Celtic and spent the 2013–14 season on loan at Belgian Pro League club Lierse.

He did however win his first major honour as Celtic won their 44th league championship title in May 2013; his 20 league appearances over the season entitling him to a league winner's medal.

Celtic qualified for the Champions League group stage and signed two new strikers, Amido Baldé and Teemu Pukki, minimising Watt's opportunities at Celtic.

On 31 August 2013, Watt moved to Belgian Pro League club Lierse S.K. on a season long loan deal for the 2013–14 season.

In September 2013, the young striker was brought on as a substitute against Kortrijk in his debut for Lierse and, within 90 seconds of being on the field, he scored with his second touch of the ball.

Despite this, Watt was branded lazy and unfit by Lierse boss Stanley Menzo.

In response, Watt pulled off his shirt after scoring against Lommel United a few days later in the Belgian Cup resulting in a yellow card.

Watt explained: "I just wanted to show that I am not fat. I knew perfectly well that if I took my top off I would get a yellow card – it happens all over the world but I just wanted to show everyone that I am in prime condition. I am not too fat and I wanted to prove this."

Watt struggled to hold down a first team place thereafter, and was sent off on 2 November 2013, within a minute of coming on as a second-half substitute against Charleroi, however the red card was later rescinded.

A week later, Watt was sent home from training after a row with manager Stanley Menzo.

He was then again publicly criticised by Menzo in December 2013, with the manager stating he would not take him back from Scotland for the second half of the season.

However, Watt was recalled to the side on Boxing Day and scored twice against Mechelen in a 3–0 win.

Menzo commented afterwards about Watt, "Today I am glad we have him but tomorrow I might want to murder him! That's just how it is with him."

He signed for another Belgian club, Standard Liège, in the summer of 2014.

Watt travelled with Lierse to Portugal in January 2014 for a mid-season friendly match against Dutch side Heerenveen, with the striker scoring both of his side's goals in a 2–3 defeat.

Despite manager Stanley Menzo's earlier threats, Watt remained with Lierse for the second half of the season.

He started for Lierse on 18 January 2014 away against Kortrijk and scored twice in a 4–3 win for his side.

He returned to the UK in January 2015 to join Charlton Athletic.

Charlton loaned Watt to Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers and Heart of Midlothian.

Watt represented Scotland at various youth levels and has played for the Scotland national team once, in March 2016.

Watt then had another stint in Belgian football with OH Leuven, before returning to Scotland with St Johnstone in July 2018.

After a spell with Bulgarian club CSKA Sofia, Watt signed for Motherwell in February 2020.

He then joined Dundee United in January 2022.