Scott Cuthbert

Boro’ boss Dino Maamria underpinned his summer 2018 transfer activity with the capture of experienced centre half Scott Cuthbert. After captaining near neighbours Luton Town to promotion from League Two a few weeks before, the Scottish-born player swapped Bedfordshire for Hertfordshire and added some valuable steel to the Boro’ back line.

It could be seen as a bit of a coup for Maamria, given how prominent Cuthbert had been in his time at Kenilworth Road. Of course, that’s now in the past. A free agent after the Hatters released him at the end of the 2017-8 campaign, the defender saw the Lamex Stadium as the next stage in his career. And we were better for it.

The heart of the Boro’ defensive effort during the 2018-9 campaign, Cuthbert made 48 appearances; only Joel Byrom could equal him. To underline his contribution to the side, there was also a clean sweep of the end-of-term awards to look back on. All the signs were that Cuthbert would be a major player for us for some time to come.

Scott Cuthbert: Before Boro’

Starting out at Celtic, Cuthbert had been on the Hoops’ book from the age of 11 and turned pro at Celtic Park aged 16. That said, first team opportunities weren’t forthcoming and it was at Livingston on loan that he’d made his senior debut… and score his first senior goal. For the 2008-9 season, there was another loan move; this time to St Mirren of the Scottish Premier League. His experience was already accumulating nicely.

In 2009, Cuthbert moved south of the border; Swindon Town signing him for around £100,000. Over the next two terms, he turned out a number of times. He was unable, however, to prevent the Robins sliding into League Two at the end of the 2010-1 campaign. And it was at that point in time the Wiltshire side allowed him to leave.

One door closed, but another soon opened. And it was back to League One for Cuthbert, with Leyton Orient his next port of call; signing a two-year contract at Brisbane Road. He spent four years in East London, making well over 100 appearances in the process. He was the club’s Player of the Year for 2011-2, having been nominated for League Two Player of the Month that season too. Sadly, his time with the Os ended much the same as it did at Swindon; relegation to League Two and no new deal on the table.

It was to be Luton who gained from Orient’s decision. In May 2015, the Hatters snapped him up. He took the captaincy on a temporary basis in October 2015, before incoming gaffer Nathan Jones made it a permanent call. Extending his deal with the club by a further year in June 2017 was a smart move; it’d see him skipper the club to promotion.