{{short description|Irish association footballer}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Ruari Paton | image = Ruari Paton - Port Vale 2025-2026.png | caption = Paton in 2025 | fullname = Ruari Michael Paton<ref>{{cite book |title=Squad Lists 2024/25 & U21 Unregistered Contract Players |date=September 2024 |publisher=EFL |pages=79 |url=https://s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/gc-media-assets.gc.eflservices.co.uk/9edd2ed0-6c4a-11ef-9965-335248f7bb41.pdf |access-date=11 September 2024}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|08|09|df=y}}<ref name=soccerway/> | birth_place = Dublin, Ireland<ref name=soccerway>{{Soccerway|ruari-paton/497944|accessdate=26 July 2023}}</ref> | height = {{height|m=1.77}}<ref name=soccerway/> | position = Striker | currentclub = Port Vale | clubnumber = 17 | youthclubs1 = Shelbourne | youthclubs2 = St Kevin's Boys | youthclubs3 = Belvedere | youthclubs4 = Hibernian | youthyears1 = 2012 | youthyears2 = 2013 | youthyears3 = 2014–2016 | youthyears4 = 2016–2018 | years1 = 2018–2019 | clubs1 = Hibernian | caps1 = 0 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2018–2019 | clubs2 = → Gala Fairydean Rovers (loan) | caps2 = | goals2 = | years3 = 2019–2020 | clubs3 = East Kilbride | caps3 = | goals3 = | years4 = 2020–2021 | clubs4 = Stranraer | caps4 = 21 | goals4 = 6 | years5 = 2021–2023 | clubs5 = Queen of the South | caps5 = 70 | goals5 = 25 | years6 = 2023–2024 | clubs6 = Queen's Park | caps6 = 36 | goals6 = 17 | years7 = 2024– | clubs7 = Port Vale | caps7 = 32 | goals7 = 2 | years8 = 2025 | clubs8 = → Dundee United (loan) | caps8 = 12 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2026– | clubs9 = → St Johnstone (loan) | caps9 = 13 | goals9 = 5 | nationalyears1 = | nationalteam1 = Republic of Ireland U16 | nationalcaps1 = 2 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | club-update = 09:38, 3 May 2026 (UTC) }}
'''Ruari Michael Paton''' (born 9 August 2000) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker {{English football updater|PortVale}} club Port Vale. He has represented the Republic of Ireland at under-16 level.
Paton, a talented dancer, spent his youth with Shelbourne, St Kevin's Boys and Belvedere, before he left Ireland to join the development squad at Scottish club Hibernian. He spent time on loan at Gala Fairydean Rovers, before joining East Kilbride in July 2019 after being released from Hibernian. His goal record in the Lowland League earned him a move to Stranraer in Scottish League Two. He was signed by Queen of the South in July 2021 and played on the losing side in the 2022 final of the Scottish Challenge Cup. He was named to the PFA Scotland Team of the Year following 22 Scottish League One goals in the 2022–23 season. He was sold to Queen's Park in June 2023 and was again named on the PFA Scotland Team of the Year after scoring 17 Scottish Championship goals in the 2023–24 campaign. He was signed by English club Port Vale for an undisclosed fee in July 2024 and returned to Scotland on loan at Dundee United in January 2025 and at St Johnstone in February 2026. He helped St Johnstone to win the Scottish Championship title at the end of the 2025–26 campaign.
==Early life== Ruari Paton was born in Dublin on 9 August 2000.<ref name=soccerway/> He grew up in Carpenterstown.<ref name="noodle">{{cite news |last1=McDermott |first1=Scott |title=Ruari Paton charts his Queen's Park rise via Pot Noodle dinners and dancing |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/ruari-paton-charts-queens-park-31010745 |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=24 September 2023 |language=en}}</ref> His mother came from Bristol.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Substack |first1=Valiant's |title=The FA Cup, celebrating fans and plans revealed |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/the-fa-cup-celebrating-fans-and-plans |access-date=6 December 2025 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=4 December 2025}}</ref> He was a talented dancer in his youth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stranraerfc.org/plenty-to-celebrate-for-paton/|work=Stranraer FC|accessdate=26 July 2023|title= Plenty to celebrate for Paton|date=17 April 2021}}</ref> He gained a Higher in PE and a Sports Leadership Award from Ross High School.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hislop |first1=John |title=Hibs' youngster Ruari Paton overcomes hurdles to gain qualifications |url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2017/08/hibs-youngster-ruari-paton-overcomes-hurdles-to-gain-qualifications/ |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=The Edinburgh Reporter |date=10 August 2017}}</ref>
==Career== ===Early career=== Paton played for Belvedere in Dublin before signing for Hibernian as a 16-year-old on a pro-youth contract.<ref>{{cite web|first=Cameron|last=Ritchie|date=2 June 2023|accessdate=26 July 2023|title=Football: Team of the Year honour for striker Ruari Paton|url=https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/sport/23560633.football-team-year-honour-striker-ruari-paton/|website=East Lothian Courier}}</ref> On 19 September 2018, he joined Gala Fairydean Rovers of the Lowland League on loan.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Hislop |first1=John |title=Hibs duo Patrick Martin and Ruari Paton join Gala Fairydean Rovers on loan |url=https://theedinburghreporter.co.uk/2018/09/hibs-duo-patrick-martin-and-ruari-paton-join-gala-fairydean-rovers-on-loan/ |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=The Edinburgh Reporter |date=19 September 2018}}</ref> On 22 September, he scored a hat-trick in a 6–0 win over Lossiemouth in a Scottish Cup qualification match at Netherdale.<ref name=hat>{{cite news |last1=Knox |first1=David |title=Paton pounces on Scottish Cup opportunity |url=https://www.bordertelegraph.com/sport/16898388.paton-pounces-scottish-cup-opportunity/ |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=Border Telegraph |date=24 September 2018 }}</ref> He scored 13 league goals in the 2018–19 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=2018/19 Lowland League Season |url=https://slfl.co.uk/archive/2018-19-lowland-league-season/ |website=Scottish Lowland League |access-date=15 July 2024}}</ref> He did not play a first-team game at Easter Road and was one of 17 players released from Hibernian in May 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pilcher |first1=Ross |title=The 17 players that have left Hibs after loans and contracts ended |url=https://www.edinburghlive.co.uk/sport/football/hibs-announce-departure-17-players-16304353 |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=Edinburgh Live |date=20 May 2019 |language=en}}</ref> He later said "I went there thinking I was the man and had it all sorted out and would go to the first team. It did not work out that way and life comes around and hits you in the face."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ritchie |first1=Cameron |title=Ruari Paton out to make history in the Scottish Cup |url=https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/sport/19238232.paton-relishing-chance-face-off-ex-hibs-team-mates/ |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=East Lothian Courier |date=17 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
Paton failed a trial with Airdrieonians as manager Ian Murray felt he was not good enough for professional football.<ref name="noodle"/> On 3 July 2019, he signed with Lowland League champions East Kilbride.<ref>{{cite news |last1=McPartlin |first1=Patrick |title=Former Hibs pair snapped up by East Kilbride ahead of 2019/20 Lowland League season |url=https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/latest-hibs-news/former-hibs-pair-snapped-up-by-east-kilbride-ahead-of-201920-lowland-league-season-544667 |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=Edinburgh News |date=3 July 2019}}</ref> Paton said that "Stuart Malcolm [East Kilbride manager] gave me a chance there when no one else would".<ref name="noodle"/> He supplemented his income playing for East Kilbride by working as a labourer on a building site.<ref name="noodle"/> He later said that "I was eating Pot Noodles every day for dinner" due to lack of finances, but that he refused to accept returning to Ireland without having made a success of his footballing career in Scotland.<ref name="noodle"/> He scored 12 goals by November, helping the Lowland League side to reach the third round of the Scottish Cup.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Thomson |first1=Paul |title=East Kilbride striker Paton targets memorable Scottish Cup run |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/east-kilbride-striker-paton-targets-20915938 |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=20 November 2019 |language=en}}</ref> He scored 12 league goals in the 2019–20 season.<ref>{{cite web |title=2019/20 Lowland League Season |url=https://slfl.co.uk/archive/2019-20-lowland-league-season/ |website=Scottish Lowland League |access-date=15 July 2024}}</ref>
===Stranraer=== Paton agreed a two-year contract with Stranraer.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/queen-south-boss-delighted-capture-24421037.amp|website=Daily Record|accessdate=26 July 2023|date=29 June 2021|first=Stephen|last=Temlett|title= Queen of the South boss delighted at capture of two attacking recruits}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/news/19205217.former-ross-high-pupil-ruari-paton-aiming-scottish-cup-glory/|website=East Lothian Courier|accessdate=26 July 2023|title=Former Ross High pupil Ruari Paton aiming for Scottish Cup glory|date=3 April 2021|first=Cameron|last=Ritchie}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eastlothiancourier.com/sport/19238232.paton-relishing-chance-face-off-ex-hibs-team-mates/#|website=East Lothian Courier|accessdate=26 July 2023|title= Former Hibs striker Ruari Paton keen to make Scottish Cup history|date=17 April 2021|first=Cameron|last=Ritchie}}</ref> He had caught the eye of manager Stephen Farrell with his goalscoring record the previous season, which had been cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Scotland.<ref>{{cite news |title=Paton is a Blue |url=https://stranraerfc.org/paton-is-a-blue/ |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=Stranraer FC |date=5 May 2020}}</ref> He was signed to compete with Thomas Orr for a place alongside veteran forward Darryl Duffy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Darryl praises young strike duo - Stranraer FC |url=https://stranraerfc.org/darryl-praises-young-strike-duo/ |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=Stranraer FC |date=7 October 2020}}</ref> The three players ended up playing as an attacking trio.<ref>{{cite news |title=Orr praises strike partners - Stranraer FC |url=https://stranraerfc.org/orr-praises-strike-partners/ |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=Stranraer FC |date=17 December 2020}}</ref> The Blues qualified for the Scottish League Two play-offs at the end of the 2020–21 season, losing to Dumbarton at the semi-final stage. Paton scored nine goals in 30 matches at Stair Park.<ref name="2020–21"/>
===Queen of the South=== On 2 July 2021, Paton signed a two-year contract with Queen of the South in Dumfries, following an undisclosed transfer fee.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/new-queen-south-signing-ruari-24434844|website=Daily Record|accessdate=26 July 2023|title= New Queen of the South signing Ruari Paton "over the moon" with Palmerston move|first=Stephen|last=Temlett|date=2 July 2021}}</ref> Manager Allan Johnston said he was "a great young prospect that we all have high hopes for".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Temlett |first1=Stephen |title=Queens boss delighted at new attackers |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/queen-south-boss-delighted-capture-24421037 |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=29 June 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Paton scored his first goals for the Palmerston Park club later that month in his first two games versus Annan Athletic and Motherwell in the Scottish League Cup.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/queen-south-new-boy-ruari-24575335|website=Daily Record|title= Queen of the South new boy Ruari Paton enjoying proving doubters wrong with two goals in two games|first=Kenny|last=McDonald|date=20 July 2021|accessdate=26 July 2023}}</ref> He scored the winning goal in the Scottish Challenge Cup quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scottish Challenge Cup: Queen of the South complete semi-final line-up |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/59499070 |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=1 December 2021}}</ref> Queen of the South reached the final of the Challenge Cup at Excelsior Stadium, where they were beaten 3–1 by Raith Rovers.<ref name=scc>{{cite news |last1=Herrall |first1=Jack |title=SPFL Trust Trophy final: Raith Rovers 3-1 Queen of the South |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60902630 |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=3 April 2022}}</ref> Paton ended the 2021–22 campaign with eight goals in 45 games, with three goals coming in the league.<ref name="2021–22"/> Queens were relegated from the Scottish Championship in last place.<ref>{{cite web |title=Queen of the South Standings 2021/2022 & Table |url=https://tribuna.com/en/clubs/queen-of-the-south/table/2021-2022/ |website=Tribuna.com |access-date=15 July 2024}}</ref>
Paton finished the 2022–23 season with 25 goals for the Doonhamers.<ref>{{cite web|date=23 June 2023|accessdate=26 July 2023|first=Joel|last=Sked|url= https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/scottish-transfers-rangers-ace-wanted-celtic-eye-trio-plus-12-goal-midfielder-hearts-make-right-back-move-4194141|title= Scottish transfers: Rangers ace wanted, Celtic eye trio plus 12-goal midfielder, Hearts make right-back move|website=The Scotsman}}</ref> Paton finished as joint-top scorer in Scottish League One, alongside Calum Gallagher of Airdrieonians, and was also named on the PFA Scotland Team of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/cinch-league-1-team-of-the-season-2223|work= SPFL|accessdate=26 July 2023|title= Cinch League 1 Team Of The Season 22/23|date=15 June 2023}}</ref> Speaking in March, manager Marvin Bartley told his players to be less reliant on Paton's goalscoring ability to win games for them.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Temlett |first1=Stephen |title=Queens boss gets what he wants against Airdrie |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/local-sport/queen-south-boss-gets-exactly-29386064 |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=Daily Record |date=8 March 2023 |language=en}}</ref> The team finished in fifth place, missing out on the play-offs by three points.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scottish League One Table 2022/2023 & Standings |url=https://tribuna.com/en/league/scottish-league-one/table/2022-2023/ |website=Tribuna.com |access-date=15 July 2024}}</ref>
===Queen's Park=== On 22 June 2023, Paton returned to the Scottish Championship after signing a three-year contract with Queen's Park.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://queensparkfc.co.uk/queen-to-queens-for-ruari-paton/#:~:text=Queen's%20Park%20have%20secured%20the,an%20indication%20of%20his%20potential.|work=Queen's Park FC|accessdate=26 July 2023|title= Queen To Queen's For Ruari Paton|date=22 June 2023}}</ref> On 25 July, Paton scored four goals in a 5–0 win over Elgin City in the Scottish League Cup at Hampden Park, his first professional hat-trick and four-goal haul in his career.<ref>{{cite web|title=Viaplay Cup: St Johnstone drop out while Livi & St Mirren win; Paton hits four for Queen's|date=25 July 2023|accessdate=26 July 2023|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/66308564|website=BBC Sport}}</ref> He was named Scottish Championship Player of the Month after scoring three league goals to send Robin Veldman's Spiders top of the table in August.<ref>{{cite news |title=Championship award for Paton {{!}} SPFL |url=https://spfl.co.uk/news/championship-award-for-paton |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=spfl.co.uk |date=1 September 2023}}</ref> Paton scored 25 goals in the 2023–24 season and was named on the PFA Scotland Team of the Year, and was also nominated for the Player of the Year award.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Davenport |first1=Sean |title=Ruari Nominated for PFA Scotland Championship Player of the Year |url=https://queensparkfc.co.uk/ruari-nominated-for-pfa-scotland-championship-player-of-the-year/ |access-date=14 July 2024 |work=Queen's Park Football Club |date=25 April 2024}}</ref> In the expectation that Paton would leave the club, manager Callum Davidson signed Zak Rudden as his replacement in July 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ouakli |first1=Adam |title=NEXT UP: QUEEN'S PARK (H) |url=https://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/2024/07/30/next-up-queens-park-h/ |access-date=3 March 2025 |work=Falkirk FC |date=30 July 2024}}</ref>
===Port Vale=== On 15 July 2024, Paton signed a three-year deal with English League Two club Port Vale for an undisclosed "six-figure" transfer fee.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 July 2024 |title=Ruari Paton: Port Vale sign Queen's Park striker for undisclosed fee |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/c9x8e8l6x6do |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ruari Paton is a Valiant |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/ruari-paton-valiant |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=Port Vale FC |date=15 July 2024 |language=en}}</ref> He scored his first goal for the Valiants in his second appearance for the club, converting a {{convert|25|yd}} free kick in a 3–2 defeat at Barrow in an EFL Cup fixture on 13 August; he was also named as man of the match.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Vale in talks about player deal |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/vale-in-talks-about-player-deal |access-date=19 August 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=14 August 2024}}</ref> Paton lost his first-team place, but marked his return to the starting eleven with the only goal of the game at Harrogate Town on 22 October.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Vale make it four in a row |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/vale-make-it-four-in-a-row |access-date=23 October 2024 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=23 October 2024}}</ref> He struggled for league starts for the Valiants under Darren Moore, however, and returned to Scotland on loan at Premiership club Dundee United on 20 January 2025 after manager Jim Goodwin looked to bolster his attacking line.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Temple |first1=Alan |title=Ruari Paton set for Dundee United as Jim Goodwin moves to strengthen attack |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-united/5164521/ruari-paton-dundee-united-january-transfer-window/ |access-date=19 January 2025 |work=The Courier |date=18 January 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ruari Paton joins Dundee United on loan |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/ruari-paton-joins-dundee-united-loan |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=Port Vale FC |date=20 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref> He made his debut for the "Tangerines" later that day in the Dundee derby and "was denied a debut goal by an outstanding Ethan Ingram block" as United lost 1–0 at Dundee.<ref>{{cite news |last1=O'Neill |first1=George |title=Dundee end wait for derby win to knock Dundee United out of Cup |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cjdenj593znt#Report |access-date=20 January 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=20 January 2025}}</ref> He played a total of 13 games for Dundee United.<ref name=2024-25/>
On 22 July 2025, Paton became the first player to score against Everton at the new Everton Stadium in a pre-season friendly defeat.<ref>{{cite news |title=Match Report {{!}} Everton 2-1 Port Vale |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/match-report-everton-2-1-port-vale |access-date=22 July 2025 |work=Port Vale FC |date=22 July 2025 |language=en}}</ref> He missed the first month of the 2025–26 season, however, after tweaking a hip muscle.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Baggaley |first1=Mike |title=Vale impress in home opener |url=https://portvalethevaliant.substack.com/p/vale-impress-in-home-opener |access-date=8 August 2025 |work=Valiant's Substack |date=8 August 2025}}</ref> His goal at Exeter City on 13 September was his first in the EFL since October, and he said after the match he was aiming to give the manager no choice but to play him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Harby |first1=Chris |last2=Bowers |first2=Phil |title=Ruari Paton: Port Vale striker wants to become undroppable |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/crkj24d4m1ro |access-date=15 September 2025 |work=BBC Sport |date=15 September 2025}}</ref> Paton was named on that week's League One Team of the Week.<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=SkyBetLeagueOne |number=1967599801379545322 |title=✨ It's time for your @WhoScored #SkyBetLeagueOne Team of the Week #EFL}}</ref> On 2 February 2026, he joined Scottish Championship leaders St Johnstone on loan until the end of the 2025–26 season.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ruari Paton loaned to St. Johnstone |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/ruari-paton-loaned-st-johnstone |access-date=3 February 2026 |work=Port Vale FC |date=2 February 2026 |language=en}}</ref> He said he felt "pure excitement" at joining the promotion push at McDiarmid Park.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nicolson |first1=Eric |title=Ruari Paton: St Johnstone deadline day signing has 'pure excitement' for Perth move |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/st-johnstone/5424234/ruari-paton-st-johnstone-port-vale-confirmed/ |access-date=3 February 2026 |work=The Courier |date=2 February 2026}}</ref> He scored on his debut at Airdrieonians 11 days later to extend the Saints lead at the top of the table.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ruari Paton fires St Johnstone to victory at Airdrieonians with debut goal |url=https://www.irishnews.com/sport/soccer/ruari-paton-fires-st-johnstone-to-victory-at-airdrieonians-with-debut-goal-M54DO5JU6RKWLHJC3ZDMWRY6TM/ |access-date=14 February 2026 |work=The Irish News |date=13 February 2026 |language=en}}</ref> On 21 April, he scored the second goal of a 2–0 victory at Dunfermline Athletic that confirmed St Johnstone as champions of the Championship.<ref name="c26">{{cite news |title=St Johnstone win Scottish Championship title with win at Dunfermline |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cwyk22wd9y0t |access-date=22 April 2026 |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> He returned to Vale Park to find himself transfer listed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Port Vale FC Retained List 2026 confirmed {{!}} Port Vale FC |url=https://www.port-vale.co.uk/news/port-vale-fc-retained-list-2026-confirmed |access-date=5 May 2026| date=5 May 2026 |work=Port Vale FC |language=en}}</ref>
==Style of play== Paton is a hard-working striker with an excellent goalscoring record.<ref>{{cite news |title=Boss evaluates new recruits - Stranraer FC |url=https://stranraerfc.org/boss-evaluates-new-recruits/ |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=Stranraer FC |date=5 July 2020}}</ref> He often celebrates goals by dancing.<ref>{{cite news |title=Plenty to celebrate for Paton - Stranraer FC |url=https://stranraerfc.org/plenty-to-celebrate-for-paton/ |access-date=15 July 2024 |work=Stranraer FC |date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
==Career statistics== {{Updated|match played 1 May 2026}}
{| 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 !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |Gala Fairydean Rovers (loan) |2018–19<ref name=hat/><ref>{{Soccerbase season|100709|2018|accessdate=1 August 2023}}</ref> |Lowland League{{efn|name=GFR|Appearance data in the Lowland League not available}} |||||3||4||colspan="2"|—||||||3||4 |- |East Kilbride |2019–20<ref>{{Soccerbase season|100709|2019|accessdate=1 August 2023}}</ref> |Lowland League{{efn|name=GFR}} |||||3||3||4||0||||||7||3 |- |Stranraer |2020–21<ref name="2020–21">{{Soccerbase season|100709|2020|accessdate=1 August 2023}}</ref> |Scottish League Two |21||6||3||1||4||2||2{{efn|name=pof|Appearances in Scottish League Two play-offs}}||0||30||9 |- |rowspan="3"|Queen of the South |2021–22<ref name="2021–22">{{Soccerbase season|100709|2021|accessdate=1 August 2023}}</ref> |Scottish Championship |34||3||2||1||4||2||5{{efn|name=SCC|Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup}}||2||45||8 |- |2022–23<ref>{{Soccerbase season|100709|2022|accessdate=1 August 2023}}</ref> |Scottish League One |36||22||1||0||5||3||4{{efn|name=SCC}}||0||46||25 |- !colspan="2"|Total !70!!25!!3!!1!!9!!5!!9!!2!!91!!33 |- |Queen's Park |2023–24<ref>{{Soccerbase season|100709|2023|accessdate=1 August 2023}}</ref> |Scottish Championship |36||17||1||0||4||4||2{{efn|name=SCC}}||1||43||22 |- |rowspan=3|Port Vale |2024–25<ref name=2024-25>{{Soccerbase season|100709|2024|accessdate=1 August 2023}}</ref> |League Two |19||1||1||0||1||1||3{{efn|name=eft|Appearance in EFL Trophy}}||1||24||3 |- |2025–26<ref name="2025–26">{{Soccerbase season|100709|2025|1 July 2025}}</ref> |League One |13||1||2||2||2||0||5{{efn|name=eft}}||3||22||6 |- !colspan="2"|Total !32!!2!!3!!2!!3!!1!!8!!4!!46!!9 |- |Dundee United (loan) |2024–25<ref name=2024-25/> |Scottish Premiership |12||0||1||0||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||13||0 |- |St Johnstone (loan) |2025–26<ref name="2025–26"/> |Scottish Championship |13||5||colspan="2"|—||colspan="2"|—||1{{efn|name=SCC}}||0||14||5 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !184!!24!!17!!10!!24!!12!!22!!7!!247!!85 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Queen of the South''' *Scottish Challenge Cup runner-up: 2021–22<ref name=scc/>
'''Port Vale''' *EFL League Two second-place promotion: 2024–25<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/tournaments/tournament.sd?tourn_id=2110 |title=League Two: 2024/25: Current table |website=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=3 May 2025}}<br />{{cite web |title=England - Port Vale FC - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news - Soccerway |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/teams/england/port-vale-fc/710/squad/ |website=uk.soccerway.com |access-date=6 May 2025 }}</ref>
'''St Johnstone''' *Scottish Championship: 2025–26<ref name="c26"/>
'''Individual''' *PFA Scotland Team of the Year: 2022–23 League One, 2023–24 Championship<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1655510005037056002 |title=Your PFA Scotland League 1 Team of the Year - as voted for by the players |user=PFAScotland |date=8 May 2023 |access-date=8 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet |number=1781374755003645954 |title=PFA Scotland on X: "🏆 PFA Scotland Championship Team of the Year. As voted by the players, the nominated team is… Callum Ferrie Jack McMillan Kevin Holt Scott McMann Josh Edwards Adam Frizzell Craig Sibbald Sam Stanton Louis Moult Brian Graham Ruari Paton #PFASAwards |user=PFAScotland |date=19 April 2024 |access-date=19 April 2024}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{Port Vale F.C. squad}} {{2022–23 PFA Scotland Scottish League One Team of the Year}} {{2023–24 PFA Scotland Scottish Championship Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Paton, Ruari}} Category:2000 births Category:Living people Category:Association footballers from County Dublin Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers Category:Republic of Ireland men's youth international footballers Category:Men's association football forwards Category:Shelbourne F.C. players Category:Belvedere F.C. players Category:Hibernian F.C. players Category:Gala Fairydean Rovers F.C. players Category:East Kilbride F.C. players Category:Stranraer F.C. players Category:Queen of the South F.C. players Category:Queen's Park F.C. players Category:Port Vale F.C. players Category:Dundee United F.C. players Category:St Johnstone F.C. players Category:Lowland Football League players Category:Scottish Professional Football League players Category:Republic of Ireland expatriate men's association footballers Category:Irish people of English descent Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in Scotland Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Scotland Category:Irish expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:21st-century Irish sportsmen