Nicky Walker

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Joseph Nicol 'Nicky' Walker (born September 29, 1962 in Aberdeen) is a former Scottish professional football goalkeeper.

Walker started his career with Elgin City in the Highland League before signing for Leicester City aged 17. He didn’t settle in the Midlands though, and returned to Scotland within the year, signing for Motherwell in 1981. Two years later, he moved again, this time signing for Rangers, where he soon established himself as the Light Blues first choice keeper.

The arrival of Chris Woods as part of the Souness Revolution relegated Walker to the Ibrox substitutes bench though, and after several seasons playing second fiddle to the England number 1, Walker joined Heart of Midlothian in a £125,000 deal.

Walker’s time at Tynecastle developed in to a see-saw battle with Henry Smith for the starting goalkeeping role, both men earning international recognition when in the Hearts first team but enduring significant spells on the sidelines. Smith eventually won the duel and, after a loan spell with Burnley, Walker moved to Partick Thistle in 1994 in a part-exchange deal for Craig Nelson.

Firhill proved a happy home for Walker, and he enjoyed his most consistent period in the West of Glasgow. When Thistle were relegated in 1996, his form was sufficient to earn a £60,000 move to high-flying Aberdeen. He left Pittodrie in 1999 after he was supplanted by Derek Stillie, winding down his career with short spells at Ross County and Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

Walker earned 2 caps for Scotland, making his debut in a 1-0 defeat by Germany in 1993. His only other appearance was three years later, against the USA, although he was selected as a reserve goalkeeper in the squad for the 1996 European Championships.

Since his retirement, Walker has been involved in his family's shortbread business.

[edit] External links

• International appearances at Official Scottish FA site
• London Hearts Profile

v • d • e Scotland squad - UEFA Euro 1996 1 Leighton • 2 McKimmie • 3 Boyd • 4 Calderwood • 5 Hendry • 6 Whyte • 7 Spencer • 8 McCall • 9 McCoist • 10 McAllister • 11 Collins • 12 Goram • 13 T. McKinlay • 14 Durie • 15 Jess • 16 Burley • 17 B. McKinlay • 18 Gallacher • 19 Jackson • 20 Booth • 21 Gemmill • 22 Walker • Coach: Brown

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