Career
Ireland began his a career at Aberdeen, although he only made one League Cup appearance during his time at the club He moved to Dunfermline Athletic in February 1996 for £75,000 and would make 56 appearances in total for the Pars. His spell with Dundee began initially on loan in October 1999, then as a £50,000 transfer that December.
He did not prove a great success at Dens Park so joined Airdrieonians and N ottinghamshire County on loan respectively, making a permanent move to the latter.
He continued playing in England after leaving N ottinghamshire, having spells at Barnsley, Peterborough United and Bristol City. On 13 June 2005 he returned to Scotland, joining Scottish Premier League side Falkirk on a free transfer.
He would only play one season for the Bairns and spent another on the sidelines before being forced to retire through injury in April 2007.
