Saša Papac
Encyclopedia
Saša Papac is a Bosnian association footballer who currently plays for Rangers
in the Scottish Premier League
and the Bosnia & Herzegovina national team
.
Before joining Rangers, Papac had played in both his native country of Bosnia for Široki Brijeg
and in Austria for Kärnten
and Austria Vienna
. He spent the early part of his career as a central defender but during his time at Rangers developed into a left back known for his consistently high level of performance.
in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
in 2000
. He made fourteen appearances, scoring once for the club.
He moved to Austria with FC Kärnten
a year later. Papac spent three years with Kärnten, making 100 appearances and scoring on three occasions. When Kärnten were relegated from the Austrian Bundesliga in 2004
he joined Austria Vienna
. Whilst in Vienna he would make 76 appearances (with three goals) and win the league in 2006. He was also part of the side which won successive Austrian Cup
s in 2005 and 2006.
on 31 August 2006 for a fee of £450,000. He became Rangers' third signing from Austria Vienna in the 2006 summer transfer window, after Libor Sionko
and Filip Šebo
. Papac made his debut for Rangers on 17 September 2006, coming on as a half time substitute for Steven Smith
in a Scottish Premier League
game against Hibernian
. The side went on to lose the match 2–1.
With the arrival of Walter Smith
in January 2007, Papac lost his place in the first team. He struggled to get into the side, making only one appearance in over two months, but returned towards the end of the season on the left side of defence. He was linked with a move to Saint-Etienne in the summer but rejected it in order to claim a first-team spot.
In the 2007–08 season Papac was a regular at left-back and played in the Scottish Cup
, League Cup
and UEFA Cup
finals. Papac netted his first goal for Rangers on his 83rd appearance for the club, during a league match against Dundee United
on 4 November 2008. He signed a two-year contract extension in November 2008 that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2011. In season 2008-09, Papac made 39 appearances and won both the League and Scottish Cup. Papac made 46 appearances the following season and won the League for the second consecutive time along with the League Cup.
On 17 May 2011, Papac signed a new one-year contract extension with Rangers just two days after helping the club to a third consecutive championship. In August 2011, it was announced that Papac would miss about a month of the footballing season after suffering from a bout of pneumonia.
but quit in March 2007, citing problems with the staff at the Bosnian FA. In January 2008, he decided to return to the international set under new boss Meho Kodro
. Shortly after Kodro's dismissal, he was called up by new coach Miroslav Blažević
but refused to come and retired from international football claiming it was to give space to new young players. However, in 2010 it emerged that Papac could make a return to the national team
. In June 2011
, Glasgow
newspaper The Herald
reported Papac was returning to international football.
On 1 July 2011, Papac confirmed that he will return to play for the national team.
On 10 August 2011, Papac returned to play a friendly match versus Greece
in Sarajevo
. Ironically, he played his last match versus Greece before quitting the national team in October 2006.
Papac is becoming a important player for Bosnia, in the last match playing very well vs Luxemburg in Bosnia's 5-0 victory.
Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
in the Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
and the Bosnia & Herzegovina national team
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
.
Before joining Rangers, Papac had played in both his native country of Bosnia for Široki Brijeg
NK Široki Brijeg
NK Široki Brijeg is a Bosnian-Herzegovinian team from the town of Široki Brijeg that currently plays in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
and in Austria for Kärnten
FC Kärnten
FC Kärnten was an Austrian association football club based in Klagenfurt, Carinthia. It was founded in 1920 under the name of KSK Klagenfurt. They last played home games at the Sportzentrum Fischl.- History :...
and Austria Vienna
FK Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA...
. He spent the early part of his career as a central defender but during his time at Rangers developed into a left back known for his consistently high level of performance.
Early career
Papac started his career with NK Široki BrijegNK Široki Brijeg
NK Široki Brijeg is a Bosnian-Herzegovinian team from the town of Široki Brijeg that currently plays in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina....
in the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina
The Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the top football league in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is the country's most prestigious level of football competition currently contested by 16 clubs with last two teams relegated at the end of every season....
in 2000
Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina 2000-01
-Overview:It was contested by 22 teams, and FK Željezničar Sarajevo won the championship. The season was the first season all team from Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, either Bosniaks and Croats played in the same league, unlike 2 stages league in previous seasons.-Clubs and stadiums:-League...
. He made fourteen appearances, scoring once for the club.
He moved to Austria with FC Kärnten
FC Kärnten
FC Kärnten was an Austrian association football club based in Klagenfurt, Carinthia. It was founded in 1920 under the name of KSK Klagenfurt. They last played home games at the Sportzentrum Fischl.- History :...
a year later. Papac spent three years with Kärnten, making 100 appearances and scoring on three occasions. When Kärnten were relegated from the Austrian Bundesliga in 2004
Austrian Football Bundesliga 2003-04
Statistics of Austrian Football Bundesliga in the 2003/2004 season.-League standings:...
he joined Austria Vienna
FK Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA...
. Whilst in Vienna he would make 76 appearances (with three goals) and win the league in 2006. He was also part of the side which won successive Austrian Cup
Austrian Cup
The Austrian Cup, in German: ÖFB-Cup is an annual football competition held by the Austrian Football Association, the ÖFB.It has been held since 1919, with the exception of the time of the Anschluss between 1939 and 1945 and the period between 1950 and 1958 when the competition was deemed of...
s in 2005 and 2006.
Move to Rangers
He signed for RangersRangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
on 31 August 2006 for a fee of £450,000. He became Rangers' third signing from Austria Vienna in the 2006 summer transfer window, after Libor Sionko
Libor Sionko
Libor Sionko is a Czech footballer currently playing for Sparta Prague.- Early career :He previously played for Austria Vienna, Grazer AK, Sparta Prague, Banik Ostrava and Rangers. Playing successfully for Sparta in the Czech League and UEFA Champions League, where Sparta in two occasions , got...
and Filip Šebo
Filip Šebo
Filip Šebo is a Slovak footballer who currently plays for ŠK Slovan Bratislava.-Early career:Šebo started his professional career with German team FC Köln but did not make a first team appearance, playing his games for reserve side Köln II. He moved to Slovakian side Inter Bratislava in 2003 after...
. Papac made his debut for Rangers on 17 September 2006, coming on as a half time substitute for Steven Smith
Steven Smith (footballer)
Steven Smith is a Scottish footballer who currently plays for English Football League One side Preston North EndA left back, Smith made an early breakthrough with Scottish side Rangers, and was capped by Scotland B in 2006, aged 21...
in a Scottish Premier League
Scottish Premier League
The Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
game against Hibernian
Hibernian F.C.
Hibernian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Leith, in the north of Edinburgh. They are one of two Scottish Premier League clubs in the city, the other being their Edinburgh derby rivals, Hearts...
. The side went on to lose the match 2–1.
With the arrival of Walter Smith
Walter Smith
Walter Smith, OBE is a Scottish football manager. His most recent job was at Scottish Premier League club Rangers.Smith had a relatively modest playing career, consisting of two spells with Dundee United which was split by a short time at Dumbarton.A pelvic injury meant he moved in to coaching at...
in January 2007, Papac lost his place in the first team. He struggled to get into the side, making only one appearance in over two months, but returned towards the end of the season on the left side of defence. He was linked with a move to Saint-Etienne in the summer but rejected it in order to claim a first-team spot.
In the 2007–08 season Papac was a regular at left-back and played in the Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
, League Cup
Scottish League Cup
The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
and UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
finals. Papac netted his first goal for Rangers on his 83rd appearance for the club, during a league match against Dundee United
Dundee United F.C.
Dundee United Football Club is a Scottish professional football club located in the city of Dundee. Formed in 1909, originally as Dundee Hibernian, the club changed to the present name in 1923...
on 4 November 2008. He signed a two-year contract extension in November 2008 that will keep him at the club until the summer of 2011. In season 2008-09, Papac made 39 appearances and won both the League and Scottish Cup. Papac made 46 appearances the following season and won the League for the second consecutive time along with the League Cup.
On 17 May 2011, Papac signed a new one-year contract extension with Rangers just two days after helping the club to a third consecutive championship. In August 2011, it was announced that Papac would miss about a month of the footballing season after suffering from a bout of pneumonia.
International career
Papac made his debut on 7 September 2002, against RomaniaRomania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
but quit in March 2007, citing problems with the staff at the Bosnian FA. In January 2008, he decided to return to the international set under new boss Meho Kodro
Meho Kodro
Mehmed "Meho" Kodro Sejtanić , known as Kodro, is a retired Bosnian footballer who played as a striker, and a current manager....
. Shortly after Kodro's dismissal, he was called up by new coach Miroslav Blažević
Miroslav Blaževic
Miroslav "Ćiro" Blažević is a Bosnian Croat football manager. He is the current head coach of Mes Kerman in Iran Pro League....
but refused to come and retired from international football claiming it was to give space to new young players. However, in 2010 it emerged that Papac could make a return to the national team
Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team
The Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team is the national football team of Bosnia and Herzegovina, governed by the Football Association of Bosnia and Herzegovina...
. In June 2011
June 2011
June 2011 is the sixth month of the current year. It began on a Wednesday and ended after 30 days on a Thursday.- Portal:Current events :This is an archived version of Wikipedia's Current events Portal from June 2011....
, Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
newspaper The Herald
The Herald (Glasgow)
The Herald is a broadsheet newspaper published Monday to Saturday in Glasgow, and available throughout Scotland. As of August 2011 it had an audited circulation of 47,226, giving it a lead over Scotland's other 'quality' national daily, The Scotsman, published in Edinburgh.The 1889 to 1906 editions...
reported Papac was returning to international football.
On 1 July 2011, Papac confirmed that he will return to play for the national team.
On 10 August 2011, Papac returned to play a friendly match versus Greece
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
in Sarajevo
Sarajevo
Sarajevo |Bosnia]], surrounded by the Dinaric Alps and situated along the Miljacka River in the heart of Southeastern Europe and the Balkans....
. Ironically, he played his last match versus Greece before quitting the national team in October 2006.
Papac is becoming a important player for Bosnia, in the last match playing very well vs Luxemburg in Bosnia's 5-0 victory.
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Scottish Cup Scottish Cup The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The... |
League Cup Scottish League Cup The Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by... |
Europe | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rangers Rangers F.C. Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses... |
2006–07 2006-07 in Scottish football The 2006–07 season was the 110th season of competitive football in Scotland.-2006:*9 July: Rangers defender Fernando Ricksen is banned for the club's pre-season trip to South Africa, following an incident on the outbound flight. Manager Paul Le Guen cited "wholly inappropriate and... |
21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 0 |
| 2007–08 2007-08 in Scottish football The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic... |
22 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 46 | 0 | |
| 2008–09 2008-09 in Scottish football The 2008–09 season was the 112th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Hamilton Academical competed in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first season in the top-flight since the 1988–89 season, after being promoted as First Division champions the... |
29 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 39 | 2 | |
| 2009–10 | 33 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 46 | 2 | |
| 2010–11 | 34 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 46 | 3 | |
| 2011–12 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | |
| Total | 148 | 6 | 14 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 35 | 0 | 212 | 7 | |
Honours
Austria ViennaFK Austria Wien
Fußballklub Austria Wien is an Austrian association football club from the capital city of Vienna. They are considered the most successful club in Austria, having won the highest Austrian Bundesliga 23 times, the Austrian Cup 27 times and the Austrian Supercup 6 times. They also reached the UEFA...
Austria Austrian Bundesliga: 1
-
- 2006Austrian Football Bundesliga 2005-06Statistics of Austrian Football Bundesliga in the 2005–2006 season.-League standings:-Topscorers:...
- Austria Austrian CupAustrian CupThe Austrian Cup, in German: ÖFB-Cup is an annual football competition held by the Austrian Football Association, the ÖFB.It has been held since 1919, with the exception of the time of the Anschluss between 1939 and 1945 and the period between 1950 and 1958 when the competition was deemed of...
: 2
- 2005, 2006
- 2006
Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
Scotland Scottish Premier LeagueScottish Premier LeagueThe Scottish Premier League , also known as the SPL , is a professional league competition for association football clubs in Scotland...
: 3
-
- 2009Scottish Premier League 2008-09The 2008–09 Scottish Premier League season was the eleventh season of the Scottish Premier League and the second season under the sponsorship of the Clydesdale Bank...
, 2010, 20112010–11 Scottish Premier LeagueThe 2010–11 Scottish Premier League was the thirteenth season of the Scottish Premier League, the highest division of Scottish football. It commenced on 14 August 2010 and ended on 15 May 2011...
- Scotland Scottish CupScottish CupThe Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
: 2
- 20082008 Scottish Cup FinalThe 2008 Scottish Cup Final was a football match which took place at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 24 May 2008. The match was the final of the 123rd Scottish Cup and was contested by Queen of the South and Rangers. Queen of the South beat Aberdeen 4–3 in their semi-final, Rangers beat St...
, 20092009 Scottish Cup FinalThe 2009 Scottish Cup Final was the final of the 124th season of the main domestic football cup competition in Scotland, the Scottish Cup. The final was played at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 30 May 2009...
- Scotland Scottish League CupScottish League CupThe Scottish League Cup is a football competition open to all Scottish Football League and Scottish Premier League clubs. At present it is also known as the Scottish Communities League Cup owing to the sponsorship deal in place with the Scottish Government. In the past it has been sponsored by...
: 3
- 20082008 Scottish League Cup Final-Statistics:-References:...
, 20102010 Scottish League Cup FinalThe 2010 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2009–10 Scottish League Cup, the 63rd season of the Scottish League Cup.-St. Mirren:...
, 20112011 Scottish League Cup FinalThe 2011 Scottish League Cup Final was the final match of the 2010–11 Scottish League Cup, the 64th season of the Scottish League Cup. It was played by Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers. Rangers won the trophy after extra time 2–1.-Celtic:...
- 2009
External links
- Rangers Squad Profile
- Saša Papac at Weltfussball
- Soccerway profile