Former Scotland under-21 striker James Scott has embarked on a new chapter in his professional career, signing with Hong Kong Premier League club Supreme Sha Tin after experiencing a challenging period in Scotland. The 25-year-old forward arrived in Hong Kong earlier this month with the goal of reestablishing himself following what he described as "the hardest year of my life."
Scott’s debut for Supreme Sha Tin came in front of a crowd of 3,329 in a season-opening 3-1 victory over Eastern, where he scored and appeared visibly fatigued adapting to the much warmer climate. The club subsequently drew one of the largest crowds in the league’s 12-year history, with 4,592 spectators witnessing a 3-0 loss to Lee Man at Mong Kok Stadium.
Originally from Glasgow and a lifelong Celtic supporter, Scott’s early career was marked by setbacks. Released by Celtic at a young age and told he was "not good enough," he briefly stopped playing before his mother and grandfather, former Motherwell player John Gray, encouraged him to return to football. This support helped reignite his passion for the sport and led to trials at Rangers and a return to Motherwell’s youth setup.
Scott progressed through Motherwell’s ranks, making his senior debut in 2018 at age 17. He drew attention for a controversial incident during a match against Celtic, in which he continued play leading to a goal despite expectations from the opposition for the ball to be returned after a stoppage. The episode sparked strong reactions, although Scott has since reflected on the moment as a learning experience.
In January 2020, Hull City signed Scott for £1.5 million, but an ankle injury sustained during his first training session sidelined him for six months. Following that setback, he spent the 2021-22 season on loan at Hibernian, where he scored a hat-trick in a 4-0 win and earned his final international under-21 cap.
Despite hopes of further Scotland recognition, progression at Hull was limited, and after managerial changes and fluctuating form, Scott moved to Exeter City in early 2023. After a season there and a loan spell at St Mirren, he joined Ross County on loan, but the club’s instability and his peripheral role culminated in a difficult final season.
Scott described the past year as "uncomfortable" due to limited playing time and decided to take the opportunity in Hong Kong to challenge himself and restart his career outside of his familiar environment. He acknowledged the physical demands of adapting to the Hong Kong climate and stressed his commitment to contributing to Supreme Sha Tin’s ambitions.
As Scott begins this new phase, he remains focused on rebuilding his professional standing and potentially attracting attention from higher-profile clubs or national selectors in the future.