Craig Forsyth

{{short description|Scottish footballer (born 1989)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox football biography |name = Craig Forsyth |image = Craig Forsyth 25042026 (3).jpg |image_size = |alt = |caption = Forsyth in 2026 |fullname = Craig Forsyth<ref name="Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13">{{Cite news |title=Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13 |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0,,10794~179534,00.pdf |publisher=The Football League |date=18 May 2013 |page=25 |access-date=23 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140802074454/http://www.football-league.co.uk/staticFiles/4e/bd/0%2C%2C10794~179534%2C00.pdf |archive-date=2 August 2014 }}</ref> |birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|02|24|df=y}} |birth_place = Carnoustie, Angus, Scotland |height = 1.89 m<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/teams/player/craig-forsyth |title=Craig Forsyth |publisher=Derby County F.C. |access-date=16 August 2022}}</ref> |position = Left back, Centre Back, Left midfield |currentclub = Derby County |clubnumber = 3 |youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2006 |youthclubs1 = Carlogie Boys Club |years1 = 2006–2011 |clubs1 = Dundee |caps1 = 59 |goals1 = 10 |years2 = 2008 |clubs2 = → Montrose (loan) |caps2 = 9 |goals2 = 0 |years3 = 2008–2009 |clubs3 = → Arbroath (loan) |caps3 = 26 |goals3 = 2 |years4 = 2011–2013 |clubs4 = Watford |caps4 = 24 |goals4 = 3 |years5 = 2012 |clubs5 = → Bradford City (loan) |caps5 = 7 |goals5 = 0 |years6 = 2013 |clubs6 = → Derby County (loan) |caps6 = 10 |goals6 = 0 |years7 = 2013– |clubs7 = Derby County |caps7 = 390 |goals7 = 14 |nationalyears1 = 2014–2015 |nationalteam1 = Scotland |nationalcaps1 = 4 |nationalgoals1 = 0 |pcupdate = 13:50, 2 May 2026 (UTC) |ntupdate = 21:40, 15 October 2015 (UTC) }}

'''Craig Forsyth''' (born 24 February 1989) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a left-sided defender for {{English football updater|DerbyCou}} club Derby County.

He previously played for Dundee before joining Watford in 2011, before joining Derby County in 2013. He has also had loan spells at Montrose, Arbroath, Bradford City and Derby County. Forsyth has also received 4 international caps by Scotland.

==Club career==

===Dundee=== Forsyth began his career with Carlogie Boys Club before joining First Division side Dundee in 2006.<ref name=DFC>{{cite web|title=Craig Forsyth|url=http://www.dundeefc.co.uk/profile.asp?p=&playerid=1010|publisher=Dundee|access-date=22 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004222656/http://www.dundeefc.co.uk/profile.asp?p=&playerid=1010|archive-date=4 October 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> He was given his debut by manager Alex Rae at the age of 17 in a 3–2 win at Livingston on 11 November 2006.<ref>{{cite web|title=Livingston 2–3 Dundee|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/l/livingston/6133616.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 June 2011|date=11 November 2006}}</ref> He joined Third Division club Montrose on loan in February 2008 until the end of the season.<ref name=DFC/> He made nine league appearances for Montrose and one in the play-offs.<ref>{{cite web|title=Craig Forsyth|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=45364|work=Soccerbase|publisher=Centurycomm|access-date=22 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Montrose|url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/montrose/montrose.html|publisher=Post War English & Scottish Football League A&nbsp;– Z Player's Database|access-date=22 June 2011}}</ref> The following season, Forsyth was loaned out to Arbroath.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dodds in, Forsyth out at Dens|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/dundee/7639402.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=27 September 2008|date=27 September 2008}}</ref> He scored his first senior goal in a 1–0 win at Brechin City on 28 March 2009.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brechin City 0–1 Arbroath|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_div_1/7966958.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 June 2011|date=28 March 2009}}</ref>

Having scored two goals in 26 league appearances for Arbroath,<ref>{{cite web|title=Arbroath|url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/arbroath/arbroath.html|publisher=Post War English & Scottish Football League A&nbsp;– Z Player's Database|access-date=22 June 2011}}</ref> Forsyth returned to Dundee and established himself in the club's first team under the management of Jocky Scott.<ref name=DFC/> Having scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 League Cup win against Aberdeen,<ref>{{cite web|title=Dundee 3–2 Aberdeen|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/scot_cups/8266300.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 June 2011|date=22 September 2009}}</ref> Forsyth managed five more goals during the 2009–10 season, including the winner against Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the Challenge Cup Final.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dundee 3–2 Inverness CT|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_cups/8369525.stm|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 June 2011|date=22 November 2009}}</ref> He helped Dundee finish sixth in the First Division the following season, despite the club being docked 25 points for entering administration.<ref>{{cite news|title=Dundee docked 25 points by Scottish FA for going into administration|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/scotland/8102387/Dundee-docked-25-points-by-Scottish-FA-for-going-into-administration.html|access-date=22 June 2011|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|date=1 November 2010}}</ref> Forsyth made 33 league appearances and scored eight goals, including a brace in a 3–2 win against Partick Thistle on 30 April 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dundee 3–2 Partick|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13203130|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 June 2011|date=30 April 2011}}</ref>

===Watford=== In June 2011, Forsyth joined Watford for an undisclosed compensation fee,<ref>{{cite news|title=Dundee midfielder Craig Forsyth becomes Watford boss Sean Dyche's first signing|url=http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/watfordfc/watfordfcnews/9096589.Forsyth_becomes_Dyche_s_first_signing/?ref=mr|access-date=22 June 2011|newspaper=Watford Observer|date=21 June 2011|author=Smith, Frank|author2=Bass, Matt}}</ref> and signed a three-year contract.<ref>{{cite web|title=Watford capture Dundee midfielder Craig Forsyth|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13863662|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=22 June 2011|date=21 June 2011}}</ref> He scored on his debut against Burnley on the first day of the season.[[File:Craig Forsyth.png|thumb|left|upright|Forsyth with Watford in 2012]]

====Bradford City (loan)==== On 19 October 2012, Forsyth joined Bradford City on a two-month loan deal.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20010193 "Bradford City sign Craig Forsyth on loan from Watford"] BBC Sport. 19 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.</ref> He made his debut the following day, helping the team to a 3–1 win at home to Cheltenham Town.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/19939739 "Bradford 3–1 Cheltenham"] BBC Sport. 20 October 2012. Retrieved 20 October 2012.</ref> He scored his first goal for the club on 4 December, completing a 2–0 win against Port Vale in the Football League Trophy.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20506678 "Port Vale 0–2 Bradford"] BBC Sport. 4 December 2012. Retrieved 5 December 2012.</ref>

====Derby County (loan)==== On 4 March 2013, Forsyth joined Derby County on loan, ahead of their match against Cardiff City the following day, subject to clearance from The Football League.<ref>{{cite web|title=Derby Bring in Forsyth|url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/derby-bring-in-forsyth-694135.aspx|publisher=Derby County F.C.|access-date=4 March 2013|date=4 March 2013}}</ref> Forsyth started against Cardiff City, before being replaced at 71 minutes in the 1–1 draw.<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/21583966 "Cardiff 1–1 Derby"] BBC Sport. 5 March 2013. Retrieved 5 March 2013.</ref> Forsyth started as a makeshift left-back in his third game for Derby County against Leicester City on 16 March 2013, assisting Derby's second goal which was scored by fellow loanee Chris Martin in a 2–1 victory. Forsyth was recalled by Watford on 29 April 2013, a game before the end of the regular season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Forsyth Recalled By Watford|url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/forsyth-recalled-by-watford-797133.aspx|publisher=Derby County F.C.|access-date=29 April 2013|date=29 April 2013}}</ref> He played 10 times for Derby during his loan spell.

===Derby County=== On 1 July 2013, Forsyth joined Derby County from Watford on a three-year contract for a reported fee of £150,000.<ref name="forsythdeal">{{cite web|title=Craig Forsyth joins Derby County from Watford|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23128408|access-date=1 July 2013|date=1 July 2013 }}</ref> Forsyth went into the 2013–14 season as first choice left back, with Clough stating Forsyth was also considered as an option at centre back in case of injuries and suspensions.<ref name="1314cboption">{{cite web|title=Nigel Clough in no rush to land central defender for Derby County|work=Derby Telegraph|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Nigel-Clough-rush-land-central-defender-Derby/story-19582413-detail/story.html|access-date=29 July 2013|date=29 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130801090549/http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Nigel-Clough-rush-land-central-defender-Derby/story-19582413-detail/story.html|archive-date=1 August 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Forsyth started the opening game a 1–1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers, his first game as a permanent player.<ref name="13debut">{{cite web|title=Derby 1–1 Blackburn|publisher=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/23480906|access-date=4 August 2013|date=4 August 2013}}</ref>

On 27 June 2014, Forsyth extended his contract at Derby County as he signed a new four-year contract to stay at the club until the end of the 2017–18 season.<ref name="Craig Forsyth Signs A New Long Term Contract With Derby County">{{cite web|title=Craig Forsyth Signs A New Long Term Contract With Derby County|url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/article/craig-forsyth-signs-a-new-long-term-contract-with-derby-county-1696693.aspx|publisher=Derby County F.C.|access-date=27 June 2014}}</ref> Forsyth suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury in November 2015,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34731268 |title=Craig Forsyth: Injured Derby defender set to miss rest of season |publisher=BBC Sport |date=5 November 2015 |access-date=5 November 2015}}</ref> which kept him sidelined for nine months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11696/10056737/derby-county-defender-craig-forsyth-suffers-serious-knee-injury|title=Derby County defender Craig Forsyth suffers serious knee injury}}</ref> On 22 August 2016, he suffered yet another serious injury,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37157573|title=Craig Forsyth: Derby County defender suffers second knee ligament injury|date=22 August 2016|publisher=BBC Sport}}</ref> he did not return to action for another 12 months, after which he signed a contract extension in December 2017 until June 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2017/12/forsyth-pens-new-derby-deal-1|title=Forsyth Pens New Derby Deal|publisher=Derby County F.C.|date=29 December 2017|access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref>

On 10 November 2018, Forsyth suffered his third serious knee ligament injury during his Derby career,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/craig-forsyth-injury-cruel-blow-2219057|title=Latest injury blow so cruel on Derby County stalwart Craig Forsyth|date=14 November 2018|access-date=14 May 2023|publisher=Derbyshire Live}}</ref> ruling him out of action for 379 days.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2019/11/lowe-delighted-to-see-the-return-of-forsyth|title=Lowe Delighted to see the Reuturn of Forsyth|publisher=Derby County F.C.|date=26 November 2019|access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> He then had competition for the left back role in the form of academy graduates Max Lowe and Lee Buchanan during the 2019–20 season, he made 25 appearances during this season as his contract was extended until June 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2020/06/cocu-praises-forsyth-after-earning-new-derby-deal|title=Cocu Praises Forsyth after earning new Derby deal|publisher=Derby County F.C.|date=25 June 2020|access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> In June 2020, Forsyth made his 200th appearance for Derby County.<ref name=10years>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2023/03/on-this-day-ten-years-since-forsyth-joined-derby|title=On this day: Ten years since Forsyth joined Derby|publisher=Derby County F.C.|date=4 March 2023|access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref>

Lowe departed in August 2020, and Buchanan and Forsyth competed for the left-back role at the club, Forsyth played 21 times during the 2020–21 season. Then he played 29 times, scoring 3 times during the 2021–22 season in a season Derby were relegated to League One after being deducted 21 points due to financial issues, Forsyth's second season playing for a club under administration.<ref name=10years/>

On 27 July 2022, Forsyth signed a new one-year deal with the club that would take his time with the Rams to ten years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2022/07/derbys-longest-serving-player-forsyth-pens-new-deal|title=Derby's Longest Serving Player Forsyth Pens New Deal|publisher=Derby County F.C.|date=27 July 2022|access-date=27 July 2022}}</ref> Under new manager Paul Warne Forsyth was regularly used as central defender.<ref name=10years/> On 18 March 2023, Forsyth made his 300th appearance for the club against Fleetwood Town,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2023/03/300-up-for-derbys-longest-serving-player-forsyth|title=300 Up For Derby's Longest Serving Player Forsyth|publisher=Derby County F.C.|date=19 March 2023|access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> becoming the 30th player in Derby County history to do so.<ref name=10years/>

On 10 May 2023, after impressing in his new role at centre back and making 52 appearances during the 2022–23 season as Derby narrowly missed out on a play-off place, Forsyth was rewarded with a new contract until June 2024.<ref name = 2023contract/> This extended his stay into an eleventh year, during which he was given a testimonial match.<ref name = 2023contract>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2023/05/derbys-longest-serving-player-forsyth-pens-new-deal-ahead-of-testimonial-year|title=Derby's Longest Serving Player Forsyth Pens New Deal and Granted Testimonial|publisher=Derby County F.C.|date=10 May 2023|access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> It was played against Stoke City during the 2023–24 pre-season on 22 July 2023 at Pride Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2023/05/derbys-longest-serving-player-forsyth-pens-new-deal-ahead-of-testimonial-year|title=Craig Forsyth testimonial game confirmed as Derby County announce details|publisher=Derbyshire Live|date=25 May 2023|access-date=12 July 2023}}</ref> Derby won the game 3–0, which featured guest appearances from former teammates Martyn Waghorn, Craig Bryson, Bradley Johnson and David Nugent (Waghorn later signed again for the club).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2023/07/quartet-of-forsyths-former-teammates-set-to-feature-in-testimonial|title=Quartet of Forsyth's Former Team-Mates Set to Feature in Testimonial|publisher=Derby County F.C.|date=20 July 2023|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> The game had an attendance of 9,119 fans.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2023/07/pre-season-match-report-derby-county-vs-stoke-city-craig-forsyth-testimonial-2023|title=Pre-Season Match Report: Derby County 3–0 Stoke City|publisher=Derby County F.C.|date=22 July 2023|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref>

On 5 August 2023, Forsyth scored an equalising goal in Derby's first League One game of the season against Wigan Athletic, although Derby went on to lose the game 2–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66345512|title=Derby County 1–2 Wigan Athletic|publisher=BBC Sport|date=5 August 2023|access-date=1 November 2023}}</ref> Forsyth scored in wins over Barnsley on 11 November 2023<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67318383|title=Derby County 3–0 Barnsley|publisher=BBC Sport|date=11 November 2023|access-date=11 January 2024}}</ref> and Oxford United on 29 December 2023.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67798490|title=Oxford United 2–3 Derby County|publisher=BBC Sport|date=29 December 2023|access-date=11 January 2024}}</ref> He started in 24 of Derby's first 25 League One matches of the season, but that run of starts was ended when he sustained a calf muscle injury at Fleetwood Town on 6 January 2024. Paul Warne said that Forsyth would be out of the "foreseeable" with the injury.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-latest-injury-update-9027407|title=Derby County could be without four players for Burton Albion clash after injury update|date=11 January 2024|access-date=11 January 2024|publisher=Derbyshire Live}}</ref> Forsyth returned to action on 12 March 2024, after two months on the sidelines,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-reading-team-news-9160189|title=Paul Warne names Derby County team to face Reading as easy decision made|publisher=Derbyshire Live|date=12 March 2024|access-date=13 March 2024}}</ref> but suffered another calf injury later on in March.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/derby-county-injury-latest-blackpool-9192391|title=Derby County injury latest v Blackpool amid Max Bird and Josh Vickers update and double boost|publisher=Derbyshire Live|date=27 March 2024|access-date=27 March 2024}}</ref> He was unable to make a return to action that season, when Derby won automatic promotion to the Championship.<ref name=2324promotion>{{cite news|title=Breaking: Derby County promoted as duo seal it for Paul Warne's side|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/breaking-derby-county-promoted-duo-9250843|publisher=Derby Telegraph|date=27 April 2024|accessdate=28 April 2024}}</ref> Forsyth made 32 appearances for Derby with three goals during 2023–24.

On 18 May 2024, it was announced that Forsyth had trigged a one-year performance-based clause to extend his contract at Derby until June 2025, the 2024–25 season will be his 13th at the club.<ref>{{cite news|title=Derby County Retained List: 2023/24 Season|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2024/05/derby-county-retained-list-202324-season|publisher=Derby County|date=18 May 2024|accessdate=18 May 2024}}</ref> On 28 September 2024, Forsyth made his 300th league appearance for Derby, in a 3–2 loss to Norwich City, Forsyth had involvements in both Derby goals in the match with a goal and an assist.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c20mz4gd8lxt|title=Derby County 2–3 Norwich City|publisher=BBC Sport|date=28 September 2024|access-date=11 October 2024}}</ref> Forsyth would find himself managed by former teammate John Eustace later in the 2024–25 season, scoring in Eustace's first win as head coach.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Derby County 2-1 Blackburn Rovers: Rams move off bottom of Championship |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c5y9qyy0xvnt |access-date=2025-03-17 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref> After injury to Callum Elder, Forsyth played at left-wing back under Eustace and with key goals and assists, he helped Derby retain their Championship status.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/derby-county-retained-list-prediction-10181600|title=Who stays and who goes as Derby County's retained list and 11 big decisions predicted|publisher=Derby Telegraph|last=Curtis|first=Leigh|date=14 May 2025|access-date=15 May 2025}}</ref> Forsyth played 42 times for Derby during the season, scoring three times.<ref name="Soccerway">{{cite web|title=C. Forsyth|url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/craig-forsyth/38514/|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=15 May 2025}}</ref>

In May 2025, Derby County confirmed that Forsyth was in talks with Derby to extend his contract which expired in June 2025.<ref>{{cite news|title=Veteran defender Forsyth in talks over new Derby deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c0mr177prpgo|publisher=BBC Sport|date=16 May 2025|accessdate=16 May 2025}}</ref> On 23 June 2025, it was announced the Forsyth had signed a two-year extension to his Derby County contract until the end of the 2026–27 season, which would upon expiry of his new deal ensured he spent 15 seasons at Pride Park. He would also be working towards his UEFA coaching licences to transition into a possible coaching role after his playing career had concluded.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c23gn8dlym9o|title=Derby defender Forsyth signs new two-year deal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 June 2024|access-date=23 June 2025}}</ref> On 24 February 2026, Forsyth scored on his 37th birthday; in a 4–2 loss to Hull City.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c24d9pg98jqt|title=Derby defender Forsyth signs new two-year deal|publisher=BBC Sport|date=24 February 2026|access-date=1 March 2026}}</ref> On 11 April 2026, Forsyth made his 400th appearance for Derby County in a match at Southampton, becoming the 15th player in club history to do so.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dcfc.co.uk/news/2026/04/craig-forsyth-reaches-400-derby-county-appearances|title=MILESTONE: Craig Forsyth Reaches 400 Derby County Appearances|publisher=Derby County|date=11 April 2026|access-date=13 April 2026}}</ref> Forsyth made 22 appearances during the 2025–26 season, scoring once.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/derby-county/appearances/2025-2026|title=Derby County – Appearances|publisher=Football Web Pages|date=13 May 2026|access-date=13 May 2026}}</ref>

==International career== Forsyth was capped four times by Scotland from 2014 to 2015.<ref name=10years/><ref name=SCO>{{cite web|title=Craig Forsyth|url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/players/?pid=32525&lid=1|publisher=Scottish FA|access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> Three of his four caps came in friendly matches, against Nigeria, Northern Ireland and Qatar.<ref name = RSSSF/> His last appearance for Scotland was in a UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying match against the Republic of Ireland.<ref name = RSSSF>{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tabless/scot-intres2015.html |title=Scotland International Matches 2011-2015 |website=rsssf.org |first=Gabriele |last=Tossani |date=29 March 2024 |accessdate=29 April 2024}}</ref>

==Career statistics== ===Club=== {{updated|match played 2 May 2026}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=45364 |title=Craig Forsyth Stats|publisher=Soccerbase}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Scottish Cup, FA Cup}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Scottish League Cup, EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"|Other{{efn|Includes Scottish Challenge Cup, Scottish Second Division Play-offs, English Football League play-offs and EFL Trophy}} !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="6" valign="center"|Dundee |2006–07<ref name="sb0607">{{soccerbase season|45364|2006|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Scottish First Division ||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0 |- |2007–08<ref name="sb0708">{{soccerbase season|45364|2007|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Scottish First Division ||0||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||1||0 |- |2008–09<ref name="sb0809">{{soccerbase season|45364|2008|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Scottish First Division ||1||0||0||0||0||0||1||0||2||0 |- |2009–10<ref name="sb0910">{{soccerbase season|45364|2009|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Scottish First Division ||24||2||2||1||3||1||4||2||33||6 |- |2010–11<ref name="sb1011">{{soccerbase season|45364|2010|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Scottish First Division ||33||8||1||0||1||2||0||0||37||8 |- !colspan="2" | Total !59!!10!!3!!1!!4!!1!!8!!2!!74!!14 |- |rowspan="1" valign="center"|Montrose (loan) |2007–08<ref name="sb0708"/> |Scottish Third Division ||9||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1||0||10||0 |- |rowspan="1" valign="center"|Arbroath (loan) |2008–09<ref name="abroathstats">{{soccerbase season|50009|2008|access-date=9 June 2025}}</ref> |Scottish Second Division ||26||2||1||0||0||0||0||0||27||2 |- |rowspan="3" valign="center"|Watford |2011–12<ref name="sb1112">{{soccerbase season|45364|2011|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship |20||3||1||2||1||0||colspan="2"|—||22||5 |- |2012–13<ref name="sb1213">{{soccerbase season|45364|2012|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship ||2||0||0||0||2||0||0||0||4||0 |- !colspan="2" | Total !22!!3!!1!!2!!3!!0!!0!!0!!26!!5 |- |rowspan="1" valign="center"|Bradford City (loan) |2012–13<ref name="sb1213"/> |League Two||7||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||1||1||8||1 |- |rowspan="1" valign="center"|Derby County (loan) |2012–13<ref name="sb1213"/> |Championship |10||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||10||0 |- |rowspan="14" valign="center"|Derby County |2013–14<ref name="sb1314">{{soccerbase season|45364|2013|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship |46||2||1||0||3||0||3||0||53||2 |- |2014–15<ref name="sb1415">{{soccerbase season|45364|2014|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship |44||1||2||0||5||0||colspan="2"|—||51||1 |- |2015–16<ref name="sb1516">{{soccerbase season|45364|2015|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship |12||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||13||0 |- |2016–17<ref name="sb1617">{{soccerbase season|45364|2016|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship |3||1|||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||4||1 |- |2017–18<ref name="sb1718">{{soccerbase season|45364|2017|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship |31||0||0||0||2||0||2||0||35||0 |- |2018–19<ref name="sb1819">{{soccerbase season|45364|2018|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship |13||0||0||0||2||0||0||0||15||0 |- |2019–20<ref name="sb1920">{{soccerbase season|45364|2019|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship |22||0||3||0||0||0||colspan="2"|—||25||0 |- |2020–21<ref name="sb2021">{{soccerbase season|45364|2020|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship |20||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||21||0 |- |2021–22<ref name="sb2122">{{soccerbase season|45364|2021|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |Championship |26||3||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||29||3 |- |2022–23<ref name="sb2223">{{soccerbase season|45364|2022|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |League One |41||0||5||0||3||0||3||0||52||0 |- |2023–24<ref name="sb2324">{{soccerbase season|45364|2023|access-date=4 August 2023}}</ref> |League One |26||3||2||0||1||0||3||0||32||3 |- |2024–25<ref name="sb2425">{{soccerbase season|45364|2024|access-date=8 August 2024}}</ref> |Championship |39||3||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||42||3 |- |2025–26<ref name="sb2526">{{soccerbase season|45364|2025|access-date=24 February 2026}}</ref> |Championship |19||1||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|—||22||1 |- !colspan="2"|Total !342!!14!!16!!0!!25!!0!!11!!0!!394!!14 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !475!!29!!21!!3!!32!!1!!21!!3!!549!!36 |}

{{notelist}}

===International=== Source:<ref>{{NFT player|55526|access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref><ref name=SCO/>

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by national team and year |- !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan="2"|Scotland |2014||1||0 |- |2015||3||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total||4||0 |}

==Honours== '''Dundee''' * Scottish Challenge Cup: 2009

'''Derby County''' *League One second-place promotion: 2023–24<ref name=2324promotion/>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{Soccerbase}}

{{Derby County F.C. squad}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Forsyth, Craig}} Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:Sportspeople from Carnoustie Category:Scottish men's footballers Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Dundee F.C. players Category:Montrose F.C. players Category:Arbroath F.C. players Category:Watford F.C. players Category:Bradford City A.F.C. players Category:Derby County F.C. players Category:Scottish Football League players Category:English Football League players Category:Scotland men's international footballers Category:Footballers from Angus, Scotland Category:21st-century Scottish sportsmen