{{short description|Scottish footballer}} {{Other people}} {{Use British English|date=June 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Russell Anderson | image = Scottish League Cup 2014 - Russell Anderson (cropped).jpg | upright = | caption = Anderson with [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] in 2014 | full_name = Russell Anderson<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thefa.com/~/media/93C90EC3A16D49CDAC585D6BA3DB1360.ashx |title=List of Players under Written Contract Whose Registrations have been Cancelled by Mutual Consent Between 01/12/2011 and 31/12/2011 |publisher=The Football Association |page=5 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191023230709/http://www.thefa.com/~/media/93C90EC3A16D49CDAC585D6BA3DB1360.ashx |archive-date=23 October 2019}}</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1978|10|25|df=y}}<ref>{{Cite book | editor-first = Barry J. | editor-last = Hugman | title = The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11 | year = 2010 | publisher = Mainstream Publishing | isbn = 978-1-84596-601-0 | page = 21 }}</ref> | birth_place = [[Aberdeen]], Scotland | height = {{convert|1.86|m|order=flip}}<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/3491/Russell-Anderson/overview |title=Russell Anderson: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=15 March 2020}}</ref> | position = [[Centre-back]]<ref name=Hugman>{{Hugman|22088|access-date=3 January 2020}}</ref> | currentclub = | years1 = 1996–2007 | clubs1 = [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] | caps1 = 274 | goals1 = 18 | years2 = 2007–2010 | clubs2 = [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] | caps2 = 1 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2008 | clubs3 = → [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] (loan) | caps3 = 14 | goals3 = 0 | years4 = 2008–2009 | clubs4 = → [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] (loan) | caps4 = 4 | goals4 = 0 | years5 = 2010–2011 | clubs5 = [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]{{ref label|Sbase|A|}} | caps5 = 34 | goals5 = 1 | years6 = 2012–2015 | clubs6 = [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] | caps6 = 69 | goals6 = 1 | totalcaps = 396 | totalgoals = 20 | nationalyears1 = 1997–1999 | nationalteam1 = [[Scotland national under-21 football team|Scotland U21]] | nationalcaps1 = 16 | nationalgoals1 = 2 | nationalyears2 = 2002–2008 | nationalteam2 = [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] | nationalcaps2 = 11 | nationalgoals2 = 0 | nationalyears3 = 2003<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandb/player.php?playerid=166 |title=Scotland B player Russell Anderson |work=fitbastats.com}}</ref> | nationalteam3 = [[Scotland national B football team|Scotland B]] | nationalcaps3 = 1 | nationalgoals3 = 0 | manageryears1 = 2017–2022 | managerclubs1 = [[Formartine United F.C.|Formartine United]] (assistant) }} '''Russell Anderson''' (born 25 October 1978) is a Scottish former professional [[association football|footballer]] who played as a [[centre-back]]. He played in the Scottish Premier League for [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]], the [[Premier League]] for [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]], and the [[English Football League|Football League]] for [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]], [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] and [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]]. Anderson won 11 [[Cap (sport)|caps]] for [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] at full international level between 2002 and 2008.
==Club career== ===Aberdeen=== Anderson was born and raised in [[Aberdeen]] and attended [[Aberdeen Grammar School]].<ref name=Hugman/><ref name="Aberdeen">{{cite web|title=Russell Anderson|url=http://www.afc.co.uk/articles/russell-anderson-aberdeen_2212045_6786|publisher=Aberdeen F.C|access-date=2 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130523201325/http://www.afc.co.uk/articles/russell-anderson-aberdeen_2212045_6786|archive-date=23 May 2013}}</ref> He began his career with local club [[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]], progressing through [[Aberdeen F.C. Under-20s and Academy|the ranks]] to make his [[Glossary of association football terms#F|first team]] debut in 1997; he scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 win against [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] in 2000.<ref name="Aberdeen"/> Described as a solid, reliable centre-back<ref name="Aberdeen"/> (although he played some of his early matches at right-back), Anderson established himself as a first choice player and went on to make more than 300 appearances in his first spell with the club.<ref name="Aberdeen"/> In 2003, he was appointed club [[Captain (association football)|captain]], a role he held for four years before moving to Sunderland in 2007.<ref name="Aberdeen"/>
In the [[2005–06 in Scottish football|2005–06 season]], he won the most league man-of-the-match awards from [[BBC Radio Scotland]]'s [[Sportsound]]. In 2006, Anderson celebrated ten years at the club with a [[testimonial match]] against [[Everton F.C.|Everton]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/5255354.stm|publisher=BBC Sport |title=Ten-year tribute to Dons' captain|date=9 August 2006 | access-date=15 January 2010}}</ref> a match where the Aberdeen fans showed their respect for his considerable ability and loyalty, with 12,000 fans attending the match. Despite Aberdeen leading 2–1, Everton won 3–2.<ref name="2-3 Everton">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/5258556.stm|publisher=BBC Sport |title=Aberdeen 2–3 Everton|date=9 August 2006 | access-date=4 January 2010}}</ref>
===Sunderland=== Despite having stated his desire to remain at Aberdeen for the rest of his career,<ref name="Anderson aims for Pittodrie stay">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/6681279.stm|publisher=BBC Sport |title=Anderson aims for Pittodrie stay|date=22 May 2007 | access-date=4 January 2010}}</ref> on 27 June 2007, Anderson completed a £1 million transfer to Premiership club [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]], signing a three-year deal.<ref name="transfer to Sunderland">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/6244320.stm|publisher=BBC Sport |title=Anderson seals Sunderland switch|date=27 June 2007 | access-date=4 January 2010}}</ref>
Anderson made his first appearance for Sunderland in a friendly match against Italian side [[Juventus FC|Juventus]] on 4 August 2007. He came on as a substitute at the [[Stadium of Light]] with fifteen minutes of the match remaining. On 18 August 2007, he made his [[Premier League]] début as a substitute against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]], where he gave away a penalty for a mis-timed tackle in a 3–0 defeat. This would prove to be his only Premier League appearance for Sunderland, as his next two years at the club would be blighted by injury. His second and last appearance for the club came against [[Luton F.C.|Luton]] in the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] on 28 August 2007. Anderson, making his full début, ruptured his ankle ligaments.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/7017950.stm|title=Sunderland hit by Anderson blow|access-date=15 January 2010|publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 September 2007}}</ref> After having reconstructive surgery, Anderson was ruled out for three months.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.football.co.uk/sunderland/anderson_adds_to_cats_woe_253122.shtml|title=ANDERSON ADDS TO CATS WOE|access-date=5 November 2013|publisher=Football.co.uk |date=28 September 2007}}</ref>
On 19 February 2008, Anderson joined [[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] on a one-month loan, which was later extended until the end of the 2007–08 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/7252569.stm|title=Argyle sign Scotland pair on loan|access-date=18 February 2008|publisher=BBC Sport | date=19 February 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/7302682.stm|title=Anderson extends loan at Plymouth|access-date=15 January 2010|publisher=BBC Sport |date=18 March 2008}}</ref> He made his début for Plymouth away to [[Southampton F.C.|Southampton]] on 19 February 2008, with Plymouth winning 2–0.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/p/plymouth_argyle/7255356.stm|title=Sturrock praises his new signings|access-date=15 January 2010|publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2008}}</ref> Anderson went on to play in all 14 of Plymouth's final league games of the season during his spell at the club.{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}
On 26 August 2008, Anderson joined [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] on loan until the end of the 2008–09 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.burnleyfootballclub.premiumtv.co.uk/page/LatestHeadlines/0,,10413~1375562,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827130619/http://www.burnleyfootballclub.com/page/LatestHeadlines/0,,10413~1375562,00.html |archive-date=27 August 2009 |title=Clarets Complete Anderson Signing |publisher= [[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] official website. |date=26 August 2008|access-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> He made his Burnley début on 30 August 2008 in a 0–0 draw against his former club Plymouth. Anderson played four consecutive league games for Burnley, but in his fifth game for the club, a [[League Cup]] tie against [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] on 23 September 2008, he suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury that ruled him out for the rest of the season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/burnley/7635838.stm|title=Burnley's Anderson out for season|access-date=15 January 2010|publisher=BBC Sport |date=25 September 2008}}</ref>
After spending 14 months out injured, Anderson finally made his comeback in a [[reserve team|reserve]] game against [[Wigan Athletic F.C.|Wigan Athletic]] on 1 December 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sunderlandecho.com/sport/red-card-agony-for-anderson-1-1081218|title=Red-card agony for Anderson|access-date=5 November 2013|work=Sunderland Echo|date=2 December 2009}}</ref> Anderson's contract was due to expire at the end of the 2009–10 season. On 31 December, Anderson was reported to be in talks with [[Hibernian F.C.|Hibernian]] and an "unnamed Championship club", later revealed to be [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/8434574.stm|title=Sunderland's Russell Anderson has talks with Hibernian|access-date=15 January 2010|publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 December 2009}}</ref> However, Hibernian said they had no interest in signing Anderson, giving Derby County an advantage to win the race.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hibs not interested in Russell Anderson, says boss John Hughes|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/hibs-not-interested-in-russell-anderson-1046258|newspaper=Daily Record|date=30 December 2009|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref> Reports of Anderson leaving were confirmed on 14 January 2010, as Sunderland released him from his contract.<ref>[https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sunderland/8459571.stm "Sunderland end Russell Anderson contract"]. BBC Sport. 14 January 2010.</ref>
After leaving Sunderland, Anderson told MailSport in an interview: ''"It hasn't been a great couple of years and I've spent more time in the treatment room than the dressing-room. But I can't moan about what happened at Sunderland because it won't do me any good."''<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/russell-anderson-moaning-about-my-injury-hell-1057210|title=Russell Anderson: Moaning about my injury hell won't do any good – I have to look forward|newspaper=Daily Record|access-date=3 April 2014|date=25 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403185850/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/russell-anderson-moaning-about-my-injury-hell-1057210|archive-date=3 April 2014| url-status= live}}</ref>
===Derby County=== On 15 January 2010, [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] announced that they had signed Anderson on a contract until the end of the [[2009–10 Derby County F.C. season|2009–10 season]].<ref>{{cite web|title=ANDERSON SIGNS FOR RAMS|url=http://www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~1932649,00.html|publisher=Derby County Official Site|access-date=3 April 2014|date=15 January 2010|archive-url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~1932649,00.html|archive-date=3 April 2014| url-status= live}}</ref> He made his début as a second-half substitute in a 3–0 win at [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]] the following day and appeared sporadically as a late substitute for the club over the next eight weeks, behind the club's first choice pairing of [[Jake Buxton]] and [[Shaun Barker]]. He finally made his first start for the club in a 2–2 draw with [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] on 16 March, in place of Buxton, and kept it for the rest of the season as Derby successfully fought off relegation. Anderson scored his first goal for Derby County, and his first in three years, on 17 April 2010 with the opener in a 1–1 draw against [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] which ensured Derby were safe from relegation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Anderson-ends-year-wait-strikes-Rams/story-11634627-detail/story.html|title=Anderson ends three-year wait as he strikes for Rams|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|location=London|access-date=3 April 2014|date=19 April 2010}}</ref> Anderson impressed enough for Derby manager Nigel Clough to confirm his intention to offer Anderson a two-year deal at the end of the 2009–10 season, seeing Anderson as one of four centre halves for the club's 2010–11 season alongside Barker, Buxton and [[Dean Leacock]]. The deal was signed on 21 April 2010<ref name="Keyduo">{{cite news | title=Clough in move to keep Key duo| newspaper=Derby Telegraph| url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Clough-key-duo/story-11572645-detail/story.html| date = 12 April 2010 }}</ref><ref name="twoyeardeal">{{cite news | title=Russ set for new deal at Rams| newspaper=Derby Telegraph| url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/RUSS-SET-NEW-DEAL-RAMS/story-11648071-detail/story.html| date = 19 April 2010 }}</ref><ref name="anderson2yrdeal">{{cite web | title=Russ sign for Rams| publisher=dcfc.co.uk| url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2030187,00.html| date = 21 April 2010 }}</ref>
Anderson started the 2010–11 season alongside [[Dean Leacock]] in the centre of the Derby defence as they earned a 2–1 win at [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]] before an injury sustained in training ruled him out for the next two months. He returned to action with a 60-minute appearance in the reserves 3–1 defeat at [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]].<ref name="injuredtrio">{{cite web | title=Rotherham United Res 3–1 Derby County Res | publisher=dcfc.co.uk| url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2182204,00.html| date = 12 October 2010 }}</ref> He returned to first team action as an 89th-minute substitute the following Saturday against [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]], winning a 93rd-minute penalty which [[Robbie Savage]] converted in a 3–0 Derby victory. He suffered a [[hamstring]] injury soon after which ruled him out for another three months before picking up a calf injury in his rehabilitation to rule him out until mid-February 2011.<ref name="newinjury">{{cite news | title=Rams agree a deal to bring in a pacy striker on loan| newspaper=Derby Telegraph| url=http://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/Striker-loan-deal-agreed-Rams/story-11587150-detail/story.html| date = 15 January 2011}}</ref> He returned to the side on 2 April with a substitute appearance in a 4–1 defeat at [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] and featured in the remaining six games of the campaign with a further three starts and three substitute appearances. Following the end of the 2010/11 season, it was reported that Aberdeen had a move for Anderson accepted but the player rejected the chance of a move, preferring to remain at Pride Park.<ref name="andersonstays">{{cite news| url =http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/russell-anderson-rejects-move-back-1104124| newspaper =Daily Record| title = Russell Anderson rejects move back to Aberdeen to stay with Derby| date = 30 May 2011 }}</ref> Anderson started the season in Derby's first team but was injured 35 minutes into the first game and missed the first month of the season. Upon returning to the side for a 3–0 win over [[Millwall F.C.|Millwall]] at the end of September, Anderson played a role in seven of Derby's next eight games, often employed at right-back in the absence of first choice [[John Brayford]]. However, a hamstring injury sustained in a 3–0 home defeat to [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] saw him ruled out of action for two months.<ref name="loansnotneeded">{{cite news | title=Derby loan signings not needed despite injuries – Clough| publisher=BBC Sport| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/d/derby_county/9631854.stm?|date = 4 November 2011}}</ref> The injury proved to be the final injury of a blighted spell with the Rams as his contract was canceled by mutual consent on 12 December 2011, with just 19 appearances coming in his 15 months as permanent player at the club.<ref name="contractcancelled">{{cite news|url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10270~2543077,00.html|publisher=dcfc.co.uk|title=Anderson Leaves Derby|date=12 December 2011 }}</ref>
===Return to Aberdeen=== Anderson signed for Aberdeen for a second time in January 2012 and was appointed as [[Captain (association football)|captain]] of the team.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.afc.co.uk/articles/20120117/skipper-returns-home_2212158_2579594 |title=Skipper returns home |publisher=Aberdeen FC |date=17 January 2012 |access-date=17 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120120002838/http://www.afc.co.uk/articles/20120117/skipper-returns-home_2212158_2579594 |archive-date=20 January 2012 }}</ref> In an exclusive interview with Daily Record, Anderson expressed return to Aberdeen, so he would overcome his injury.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/former-aberdeen-skipper-russell-anderson-1089354|title=Former Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson hoping for Pittodrie return after leaving Derby County|newspaper=Daily Record|access-date=3 April 2014|date=13 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403190146/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/former-aberdeen-skipper-russell-anderson-1089354|archive-date=3 April 2014| url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Aberdeen captain Russell Anderson: Quitting is just not an option when the Dons are on top|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/russell-anderson-cant-think-quitting-3244553|newspaper=Daily Record|date=15 March 2014|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref>
After two months without playing due to an injury, Anderson finally made his first appearance in his second Aberdeen spell, when he came on for [[Clark Robertson]] in the 76th minutes as a substitute, as Aberdeen lost 3–0 against [[Heart of Midlothian F.C.|Hearts]] on 31 March 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=Hearts 3–0 Aberdeen|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17497225|publisher=BBC Sport|date=31 March 2012|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref> Despite the loss, Anderson expressed his delight at his return and said he felt that it meant a lot to receive a great welcome from fans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/russell-anderson-delighted-to-be-back-in-action-1118190|title=Russell Anderson delighted to be back in action despite defeat at Hearts|newspaper=Daily Record|access-date=3 April 2014|date=1 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403191521/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/russell-anderson-delighted-to-be-back-in-action-1118190|archive-date=3 April 2014| url-status= live}}</ref> Anderson stated his aim to help the club reach a final for the first time in thirteen years.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson: We'll stay calm but cup final spot is up for grabs|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aberdeen-skipper-russell-anderson-well-2670879|newspaper=Daily Record|date=3 November 2012|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref> Having made twenty two appearances so far, Anderson signed a contract extension that will keep him until the next season.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aberdeen-captain-russell-anderson-signs-1591518|title=Dons delighted as captain Russell Anderson signs a new deal at Pittodrie|newspaper=Daily Record|access-date=3 April 2014|date=7 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403193613/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aberdeen-captain-russell-anderson-signs-1591518|archive-date=3 April 2014| url-status= live}}</ref> Anderson said he was happy at signing a contract extension and delaying his retirement.<ref>{{cite news|title=Veteran defender Russell Anderson happy to shelve retirement for another season at Aberdeen|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/russell-anderson-happy-to-shelve-retirement-1593159|newspaper=Daily Record|date=8 February 2013|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref> Anderson's first full season back with Aberdeen wasn't very successful, with the club finishing 8th in the [[Scottish Premier League]].{{citation needed|date=January 2020}}
In the [[2013–14 Aberdeen F.C. season|2013–14 season]], Anderson said he had unfinished business at the club and vowed to take them back to where they belong.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aberdeen veteran Russell Anderson: I've still got unfinished business at Pittodrie|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/russell-anderson-still-unfinished-business-2119629|newspaper=Daily Record|date=3 August 2013|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref> On 25 January 2014, he scored his first goal for Aberdeen since returning to the club, scoring an injury time equaliser, as Aberdeen drew 2–2 with [[Motherwell F.C.|Motherwell]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Motherwell 2–2 Aberdeen|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25790758|publisher=BBC Sport|date=25 January 2014|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref> After beating [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] 4–0 to reach the final of the [[Scottish League Cup]], Manager [[Derek McInnes]] commented that the final meant many things for Anderson, while [[Willie Miller]] compared [[Mark Reynolds (footballer, born 1987)|Reynolds]] and Anderson's central defense partnership to his own partnership with [[Alex McLeish]] during their time at Aberdeen.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aberdeen reaching League Cup Final means a lot to a lot of people but it means everything to Russell Anderson, says Derek McInnes|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aberdeen-reaching-league-cup-final-3107457|newspaper=Daily Record|date=3 February 2014|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Aberdeen legend Willie Miller: Defensive duo Mark Reynolds and Russell Anderson are the new Alex McLeish and me|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aberdeen-legend-willie-miller-defensive-3132488|newspaper=Daily Record|date=11 February 2014|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref>
Anderson was the sixth Aberdeen captain to lift silverware when they defeated [[Inverness Caledonian Thistle F.C.|Inverness Caledonian Thistle]] 4–2 on penalties in the [[2014 Scottish League Cup Final]]. Anderson himself came very close to scoring in the match, hitting the post with a volley.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aberdeen 0–0 Inverness CT|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/26502621|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Campbell|first=Andy|date=16 March 2014|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref> Anderson reacted on Aberdeen winning the Scottish League Cup as an "incredible feeling".<ref>{{cite news|title=Scottish League Cup: Russell Anderson savours Aberdeen success|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11781/9217823/scottish-league-cup-russell-anderson-savours-aberdeen-success|publisher=Sky Sports|date=16 March 2014|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref> Following the final, Derek McInnes announced he would be giving a new deal to Anderson.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes ready to offer new deals to Barry Robson and Russell Anderson|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-transfer-news/aberdeen-boss-derek-mcinnes-ready-3270582?|newspaper=Daily Record|date=22 March 2014|access-date=3 April 2014}}</ref> The captain's armband that he wore in the final, was snapped up by a fan who paid £500, which later went to charity.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aberdeen charity scores £500 as Dons fan snaps up Russell Anderson's cup final armband|url=http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/local/aberdeen-charity-scores-500-as-dons-fan-snaps-up-russell-anderson-s-cup-final-armband-1.292563?|publisher=Evening Express|date=29 March 2014|access-date=3 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330085101/http://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/local/aberdeen-charity-scores-500-as-dons-fan-snaps-up-russell-anderson-s-cup-final-armband-1.292563|archive-date=30 March 2014 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 15 May 2014, Anderson signed a new one-year contract with Aberdeen.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aberdeen: Russell Anderson & Barry Robson sign new deals|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27425205|publisher=BBC Sport|date=15 May 2014|access-date=22 May 2014}}</ref> Anderson appeared and captained five out of the six for Aberdeen's Europa League matches. During the match against [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]] on 23 August 2014, Anderson was limped with a knee injury and was taken off in the 77th minutes.<ref>{{cite news|title=St Johnstone 1 – 0 Aberdeen|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/28816174|publisher=BBC Sport|date=23 August 2014|access-date=25 June 2015}}</ref> As a result, Anderson was out for most of the season.<ref>{{cite news|title=Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson to hold talks with Derek McInnes in bid to find out if he's staying a Don|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aberdeen-skipper-russell-anderson-hold-5600806|newspaper=Daily Record|date=29 April 2015|access-date=25 June 2015}}</ref> On 7 May 2015, Anderson announced that he would retire from playing at the end of the [[2014–15 Aberdeen F.C. season|2014–15 season]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Russell announce his Retirement|work=Aberdeen FC |url=http://www.afc.co.uk/news/6068.php#.VVFGoK9FCUk|publisher=Aberdeen F.C.|date=7 May 2015|access-date=12 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518093829/http://www.afc.co.uk/news/6068.php#.VVFGoK9FCUk|archive-date=18 May 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> He played his final match on 24 May 2015, as Aberdeen lost 1–0 at home to [[St Johnstone F.C.|St Johnstone]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Aberdeen 0–1 St Johnstone|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32664504|publisher=BBC Sport|last=Davie|first=Scott|date=24 May 2015|access-date=25 May 2015}}</ref>
After announcing his retirement, Anderson remained at the club in a business development role.<ref>{{cite news|title=Retiring Aberdeen skipper Russell Anderson eyes business role at Pittodrie and admits: I'd rather do counting than coaching|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/retiring-aberdeen-skipper-russell-anderson-5682207|newspaper=Daily Record|date=12 May 2015|access-date=25 June 2015}}</ref> As of September 2017, he continues in this position at Pittodrie, while also supporting brother-in-law, [[Paul Lawson (footballer)|Paul Lawson]] – in an assistant manager capacity – at [[Highland Football League|Highland League]] club, [[Formartine United F.C.|Formartine United]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Former Premiership duo Lawson and Anderson team up in Highland League|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41292493|website=BBC Sport|date=16 September 2017|access-date=21 September 2025}}</ref>
==International career== Anderson played for the [[Scotland national football team|Scotland national side]] on eleven occasions and was both a youth and under-21 international.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fitbastats.com/scotlandu21/player.php?playerid=280 |title=Scotland U21 player Russell Anderson |work=fitbastats.com |access-date=11 October 2012}}</ref> He won his first cap against [[Iceland national football team|Iceland]] in October 2002, coming on as a late substitute.<ref name="1st cap">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/scotland/2316207.stm|publisher=BBC Sport website|title=Scotland sink Iceland|date=12 October 2002 | access-date=4 January 2010}}</ref> Anderson went on to win 11 full caps in total, making his last international appearance in March 2008.<ref>{{SFA Profile|id=19924}}</ref>
==Awards== Anderson won the [[List of Scottish Premier League monthly award winners|SPL player of the month award]] in November 2006.<ref name="PLOTM">{{cite web |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/a/aberdeen/6159439.stm|publisher=BBC Sport |title=November prize for Dons' Anderson|date=30 November 2006 | access-date=4 January 2010}}</ref> He was nominated for [[Scottish PFA Players' Player of the Year]] for the 2006/07 season, and was the only nominee playing for a club other than league champions [[Celtic F.C.|Celtic]]. Anderson was also named in the Scottish PFA team of the year for the 2006–07 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/6584145.stm |publisher=BBC Sport | title=SPFA's team of the 2006/07 season | date=23 April 2007 | access-date=23 May 2010}}</ref>
==Personal life== His son [[Jevan Anderson|Jevan]] is also a footballer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/fp/sport/football/highland-league/fleetwood-back-jevan-returns-to-united-after-trial/|title=Jevan Anderson returns to Formartine United after trial with Joey Barton's Fleetwood Town|first=Callum|last=Law |date=16 November 2016 }}</ref>
== Career statistics == === Club === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{Cite web |title=Aberdeen Football Club Heritage Trust - Player Profile |url=https://afcheritage.org/Team/CurrentSquad/player_show.cfm?player_id=595 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=afcheritage.org}}</ref> !rowspan="2"|Club !rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup !colspan="2"|League cup !colspan="2"|Europe !colspan="2"|Total |- !Division !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals !Apps !Goals |- |rowspan="12"|[[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] |[[1996–97 Aberdeen F.C. season|1996–97]] |rowspan="2"|[[Scottish Premier Division]] |14||0||2||0||0||0||0||0||16||0 |- |[[1997–98 Aberdeen F.C. season|1997–98]] |26||0||0||0||2||0||0||0||28||0 |- |[[1998–99 Aberdeen F.C. season|1998–99]] |rowspan="9"|[[Scottish Premier League]] |16||0||0||0||2||0||0||0||18||0 |- |[[1999–2000 Aberdeen F.C. season|1999–00]] |34||1||7||0||5||0||0||0||46||1 |- |[[2000–01 Aberdeen F.C. season|2000–01]] |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |[[2001–02 Aberdeen F.C. season|2001–02]] |24||1||1||0||0||0||0||0||25||1 |- |[[2002–03 Aberdeen F.C. season|2002–03]] |33 |2||3||1||2||0||4||0||42||3 |- |[[2003–04 Aberdeen F.C. season|2003–04]] |25||5||4||0||3||0||0||0||32||5 |- |[[2004–05 Aberdeen F.C. season|2004–05]] |31||1||3||0||2||0||0||0||36||1 |- |[[2005–06 Aberdeen F.C. season|2005–06]] |36||6||2||0||2||0||0||0||40||6 |- |[[2006–07 Aberdeen F.C. season|2006–07]] |35||2||2||0||1||0||0||0||38||2 |- !colspan="2"|Total !274!!18!!24!!1!!19!!0!!4!!0!!321!!19 |- |rowspan="4"|[[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] |[[2007–08 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2007–08]] |rowspan="3"|[[Premier League]] |1||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||2||0 |- |[[2008–09 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2008–09]] |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- |[[2009–10 Sunderland A.F.C. season|2009–10]] |0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !1!!0!!0!!0!!1!!0!!0!!0!!2!!0 |- |[[Plymouth Argyle F.C.|Plymouth Argyle]] (loan) |[[2007–08 Plymouth Argyle F.C. season|2007–08]] |[[EFL Championship|Championship]] |14||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||14||0 |- |[[Burnley F.C.|Burnley]] (loan) |[[2008–09 Burnley F.C. season|2008–09]] |Championship |4||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||5||0 |- |rowspan="4"|[[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] |[[2009–10 Derby County F.C. season|2009–10]] |rowspan="3"|Championship |15||1||0||0||0||0||0||0||15||1 |- |[[2010–11 Derby County F.C. season|2010–11]] |11||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||11||0 |- |[[2011–12 Derby County F.C. season|2011–12]] |8||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||8||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !34!!1!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!0!!34!!1 |- |rowspan="5"|[[Aberdeen F.C.|Aberdeen]] |[[2011–12 Aberdeen F.C. season|2011–12]] |rowspan="2"|Scottish Premier League |6||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||6||0 |- |[[2012–13 Aberdeen F.C. season|2012–13]] |31||0||2||0||2||0||0||0||35||0 |- |[[2013–14 Aberdeen F.C. season|2013–14]] |rowspan="2"|[[Scottish Premiership]] |30||1||4||1||4||0||0||0||38||2 |- |[[2014–15 Aberdeen F.C. season|2014–15]] |2||0||0||0||0||0||5||0||7||0 |- !colspan="2"|Total !69!!1!!6!!1!!6!!0!!5!!0!!86!!2 |- !colspan="3"|Career total !396!!20!!30!!2!!26!!0!!9!!0!!462!!22 |}
=== International === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref>{{Cite web |title=Russell Anderson {{!}} Scotland {{!}} Scottish FA |url=https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/players/?pid=19924 |access-date=2023-03-11 |website=www.scottishfa.co.uk}}</ref> !National team !Year !Apps !Goals |- | rowspan="7" |[[Scotland national football team|Scotland]] |2002 |3 |0 |- |2003 |1 |0 |- |2004 |2 |0 |- |2005 |1 |0 |- |2006 |2 |0 |- |2007 |1 |0 |- |2008 |1 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !11 !0 |}
==Notes== :A. {{note|Sbase}} Soccerbase's stats for the match between Nottingham Forest and Derby County on 17 September 2011 fail to count a substitute appearance made by Anderson, instead crediting it to [[Lee Croft]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://origin-www.dcfc.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10270~58108,00.html |title=Nottm Forest 1–2 Derby County |work=dcfc.co.uk |date=17 September 2011|access-date=5 November 2013}}</ref> Therefore, until and unless they correct it, he ''should'' have one more appearance for Derby than given on his Soccerbase page.
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Soccerbase}} *[http://www.11v11.com/players/russell-anderson-3646/ International stats] at 11v11
{{2006–07 PFA Scotland SPL Team of the Year}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Russell}} [[Category:1978 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Footballers from Aberdeen]] [[Category:Scottish men's footballers]] [[Category:Scotland men's under-21 international footballers]] [[Category:Scotland men's B international footballers]] [[Category:Scotland men's international footballers]] [[Category:Men's association football central defenders]] [[Category:Aberdeen F.C. players]] [[Category:Sunderland A.F.C. players]] [[Category:Plymouth Argyle F.C. players]] [[Category:Burnley F.C. players]] [[Category:Derby County F.C. players]] [[Category:Scottish Premier League players]] [[Category:Premier League players]] [[Category:English Football League players]] [[Category:Scottish Professional Football League players]] [[Category:People educated at Aberdeen Grammar School]]