Mixu Paatelainen Player Profile

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Player Details



Playing History

Season Win % Draw % Loss %
1991-92 20 (15) 9 0 0 45.7% 22.9% 31.4%
1990-91 11 (15) 1 0 0 46.2% 23.1% 30.8%
1989-90 37 (4) 9 0 0 39.0% 29.3% 31.7%
1988-89 45 17 3 0 44.4% 33.3% 22.2%
1987-88 24 (2) 11 2 0 38.5% 30.8% 30.8%
Totals: 137 (36) 47


 Apps = First Team Appearances (Sub Appearances) | Gls = Goals
 GtGR = Goals to Games Ratio | W/D/L - Games won, drawn or lost as percentage of games played in
 Yel = Yellow Cards/Cautions | Red = Red Cards/Dismissals

 Recent First Team Starts
 21/03/92 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A) 2 - 0
 17/03/92 Premier Division vs. Airdrie (A) 0 - 1
 14/03/92 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H) 1 - 0
 07/03/92 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (A) 1 - 0
 29/02/92 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H) 2 - 1

 Recent First Team Goals
 29/02/92 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H) 2 - 1
 11/02/92 4th Round vs. Celtic (A) 1 - 2
 01/01/92 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H) 4 - 0
 28/12/91 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A) 2 - 3
 26/10/91 Premier Division vs. Airdrie (A) 3 - 1

 List of Goals Scored (click to expand)
 29/02/92 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  2 - 1
 29/02/92 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  2 - 1
 11/02/92 4th Round vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 2
 01/01/92 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  4 - 0
 28/12/91 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 3
 26/10/91 Premier Division vs. Airdrie (A)  3 - 1
 05/10/91 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  4 - 0
 03/09/91 Quarter Final vs. Dunfermline (A)  1 - 3
 20/08/91 2nd Round vs. Montrose (H)  3 - 2
 08/12/90 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  3 - 1
 07/04/90 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 0
 26/02/90 4th Round vs. QOS (H)  2 - 1
 27/01/90 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  2 - 3
 23/12/89 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  1 - 1
 16/12/89 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 1
 25/11/89 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  2 - 1
 04/11/89 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (A)  1 - 1
 31/10/89 2nd Round 2nd Leg vs. Antwerp (H)  3 - 2
 19/08/89 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 4
 29/04/89 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 1
 21/03/89 Quarter Final vs. Rangers (A)  2 - 2
 27/02/89 4th Round 2nd Replay vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 0
 22/02/89 4th Round Replay vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 1
 18/02/89 4th Round vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 1
 14/01/89 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (A)  5 - 0
 17/12/88 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 0
 05/11/88 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  2 - 0
 29/10/88 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  1 - 1
 08/10/88 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (A)  4 - 0
 08/10/88 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (A)  4 - 0
 17/09/88 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 1
 03/09/88 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 0
 03/09/88 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 0
 24/08/88 3rd Round vs. St Mirren (A)  3 - 1
 16/08/88 2nd Round vs. Partick Th (A)  2 - 0
 16/08/88 2nd Round vs. Partick Th (A)  2 - 0
 30/04/88 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  4 - 0
 30/04/88 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  4 - 0
 30/04/88 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  4 - 0
 30/04/88 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  4 - 0
 13/04/88 Semi Final Replay vs. Aberdeen (N)  1 - 1
 27/02/88 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 1
 30/01/88 3rd Round vs. Arbroath (A)  7 - 0
 16/01/88 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  2 - 0
 12/12/87 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  3 - 1
 14/11/87 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  1 - 0
 31/10/87 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 3

 List of Games Played (click to expand)
 21/03/92 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  2 - 0
 17/03/92 Premier Division vs. Airdrie (A)  0 - 1
 14/03/92 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 0
 07/03/92 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (A)  1 - 0
 29/02/92 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  2 - 1
 11/02/92 4th Round vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 2
 08/02/92 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  0 - 1
 01/02/92 Premier Division vs. St Johnstone (A)  1 - 1
 26/01/92 3rd Round vs. Berwick (H)  6 - 0
 18/01/92 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  1 - 3
 11/01/92 Premier Division vs. Airdrie (H)  2 - 1
 04/01/92 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  3 - 1
 01/01/92 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  4 - 0
 28/12/91 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 3
 03/12/91 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  1 - 1
 30/11/91 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 1
 23/11/91 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 1
 06/11/91 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (A)  2 - 1
 02/11/91 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 0
 26/10/91 Premier Division vs. Airdrie (A)  3 - 1
 19/10/91 Premier Division vs. St Johnstone (H)  1 - 2
 12/10/91 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 4
 05/10/91 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  4 - 0
 28/09/91 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  2 - 2
 21/09/91 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  1 - 1
 14/09/91 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 1
 07/09/91 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  3 - 0
 03/09/91 Quarter Final vs. Dunfermline (A)  1 - 3
 31/08/91 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 0
 27/08/91 3rd Round vs. Falkirk (H)  1 - 0
 24/08/91 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  0 - 1
 20/08/91 2nd Round vs. Montrose (H)  3 - 2
 17/08/91 Premier Division vs. St Johnstone (A)  1 - 1
 13/08/91 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  4 - 1
 10/08/91 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  3 - 4
 30/03/91 Premier Division vs. St Johnstone (H)  0 - 0
 23/03/91 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 2
 09/02/91 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  0 - 0
 26/01/91 3rd Round vs. East Fife (A)  1 - 1
 05/01/91 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  3 - 2
 02/01/91 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 0
 29/12/90 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 2
 22/12/90 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (A)  0 - 1
 15/12/90 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  0 - 0
 08/12/90 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  3 - 1
 07/11/90 2nd Round 2nd Leg vs. Vitesse (H)  0 - 4
 03/11/90 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 0
 27/10/90 Premier Division vs. St Johnstone (H)  1 - 2
 24/10/90 2nd Round 1st Leg vs. Vitesse (A)  0 - 1
 20/10/90 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 0
 13/10/90 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 0
 10/10/90 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  3 - 0
 29/09/90 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  0 - 1
 25/09/90 Semi Final vs. Celtic (N)  0 - 2
 22/09/90 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  2 - 1
 18/09/90 1st Round 1st Leg vs. FH (A)  3 - 1
 15/09/90 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 1
 08/09/90 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  1 - 0
 04/09/90 Quarter Final vs. Motherwell (H)  2 - 0
 01/09/90 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  1 - 0
 25/08/90 Premier Division vs. St Johnstone (A)  3 - 1
 05/05/90 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  0 - 0
 21/04/90 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  0 - 1
 18/04/90 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 1
 14/04/90 Semi Final vs. Aberdeen (N)  0 - 4
 07/04/90 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 0
 31/03/90 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (A)  1 - 0
 24/03/90 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  1 - 2
 17/03/90 Quarter Final vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 0
 10/03/90 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  1 - 0
 03/03/90 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 3
 26/02/90 4th Round vs. QOS (H)  2 - 1
 17/02/90 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 0
 10/02/90 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 1
 03/02/90 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 3
 27/01/90 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  2 - 3
 23/01/90 3rd Round Replay vs. Dundee (H)  1 - 0
 20/01/90 3rd Round vs. Dundee (A)  0 - 0
 13/01/90 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 0
 06/01/90 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  0 - 0
 03/01/90 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  1 - 0
 30/12/89 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  1 - 1
 23/12/89 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  1 - 1
 16/12/89 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 1
 09/12/89 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 2
 25/11/89 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  2 - 1
 18/11/89 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 0
 08/11/89 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 0
 04/11/89 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (A)  1 - 1
 31/10/89 2nd Round 2nd Leg vs. Antwerp (H)  3 - 2
 28/10/89 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  0 - 0
 21/10/89 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 3
 17/10/89 2nd Round 1st Leg vs. Antwerp (A)  0 - 4
 14/10/89 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 2
 23/09/89 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  1 - 1
 16/09/89 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 2
 13/09/89 1st Round 1st Leg vs. Glentoran (A)  3 - 1
 26/08/89 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  2 - 1
 23/08/89 3rd Round vs. Hamilton (A)  1 - 2
 19/08/89 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 4
 16/08/89 2nd Round vs. Partick Th (H)  1 - 0
 12/08/89 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  1 - 1
 13/05/89 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H)  0 - 1
 06/05/89 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  0 - 0
 02/05/89 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 2
 29/04/89 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  2 - 1
 22/04/89 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  1 - 1
 27/03/89 Quarter Final Replay vs. Rangers (H)  0 - 1
 25/03/89 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 1
 21/03/89 Quarter Final vs. Rangers (A)  2 - 2
 14/03/89 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 1
 11/03/89 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  1 - 4
 27/02/89 4th Round 2nd Replay vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 0
 22/02/89 4th Round Replay vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 1
 18/02/89 4th Round vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 1
 11/02/89 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 1
 28/01/89 3rd Round vs. Dundee (A)  2 - 1
 21/01/89 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 0
 14/01/89 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (A)  5 - 0
 07/01/89 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  1 - 0
 03/01/89 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 1
 31/12/88 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 0
 17/12/88 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  2 - 0
 10/12/88 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  4 - 1
 03/12/88 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  1 - 0
 26/11/88 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (H)  1 - 0
 19/11/88 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  0 - 0
 12/11/88 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  1 - 1
 05/11/88 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  2 - 0
 02/11/88 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  1 - 1
 29/10/88 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  1 - 1
 26/10/88 2nd Round 1st Leg vs. Din. Bucharest (H)  0 - 1
 22/10/88 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  0 - 1
 12/10/88 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  0 - 1
 08/10/88 Premier Division vs. Hamilton (A)  4 - 0
 05/10/88 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Floriana (H)  1 - 0
 27/09/88 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  0 - 1
 24/09/88 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  2 - 1
 20/09/88 Semi Final vs. Aberdeen (N)  0 - 2
 17/09/88 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 1
 06/09/88 1st Round 1st Leg vs. Floriana (A)  0 - 0
 03/09/88 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 0
 27/08/88 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 2
 24/08/88 3rd Round vs. St Mirren (A)  3 - 1
 20/08/88 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  1 - 0
 16/08/88 2nd Round vs. Partick Th (A)  2 - 0
 13/08/88 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 0
 14/05/88 Final vs. Celtic (N)  1 - 2
 07/05/88 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  0 - 0
 30/04/88 Premier Division vs. Morton (A)  4 - 0
 20/04/88 Semi Final 2nd Replay vs. Aberdeen (N)  1 - 0
 13/04/88 Semi Final Replay vs. Aberdeen (N)  1 - 1
 28/03/88 Quarter Final 2nd Replay vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 0
 19/03/88 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  0 - 2
 12/03/88 Quarter Final vs. Dundee (A)  0 - 0
 05/03/88 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  0 - 0
 27/02/88 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  1 - 1
 20/02/88 4th Round vs. Airdrie (A)  2 - 0
 13/02/88 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (A)  3 - 0
 06/02/88 Premier Division vs. Morton (H)  2 - 0
 03/02/88 Premier Division vs. Hearts (A)  1 - 1
 30/01/88 3rd Round vs. Arbroath (A)  7 - 0
 16/01/88 Premier Division vs. Dundee (A)  2 - 0
 09/01/88 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (H)  0 - 0
 02/01/88 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (A)  0 - 0
 26/12/87 Premier Division vs. Celtic (H)  1 - 2
 16/12/87 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  1 - 2
 12/12/87 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  3 - 1
 05/12/87 Premier Division vs. Rangers (A)  0 - 1
 28/11/87 Premier Division vs. Dundee (H)  1 - 3
 14/11/87 Premier Division vs. Dunfermline (H)  1 - 0
 07/11/87 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (A)  1 - 2
 31/10/87 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  2 - 3


Biography

Mixu began his career Finnish side Valkeakosken Haka, winning the Finnish Cup in his first season as a first team player after making his debut in 1985. After completing National Service in his home country, the Olympic and Under-21 international striker was brought to Tannadice in October 1987 by Jim McLean for a reputed fee of £100,000.

The 20-year-old unknown was signed initially on a part-time contract but scored on his first team debut against St Mirren at Tannadice, quickly establishing himself as a first team regular. With a bustling style that made him a fans favourite, Mixu scored 11 goals in his first season, including all four goals in a 4-0 win over Morton, and collected a runners-up medal after United lost out to Celtic in the 1988 Scottish Cup final.

At the start of the 1988-89 season Mixu became a full internationalist, playing for Finland against the USSR and Germany in August, and went on to score his first goal for his country in a 2-2 draw with Wales in October. He finished that season as United's top scorer with 17 goals, with several important counters against Aberdeen and Rangers in another memorable Scottish Cup run.

He continued to command a regular place in the squad for two more years, finishing as top scorer again over the 1989-90 season. However, with the emergence of Duncan Ferguson at centre forward, Mixu was often pushed out wide or used more from the bench. Continuing to appear regularly for his country, the striker would go on to win over 70 caps for Finland, scoring 18 goals. Although still playing regularly out on the left wing during the 1991-92 season, in March 1992 Mixu was sold to Aberdeen for £400,000.

Whilst at Pittodrie he collected runners-up medals in the League Cup and the Scottish Cup. His next move took him south to Bolton Wanderers where he collected a runners-up medal in the English League Cup and helped them win promotion to the Premiership twice. In August 1997 he signed for Wolves where he spent one season before returning to Scotland in September 1998 to join Hibs, helping them win the First Division in 1999 and collected a Scottish Cup second runners-up medal in 2001. After a year with RC Strasbourg, he returned to Hibs for a second spell before playing from St Johnstone and then St Mirren, holding a player/assistant manager role at both clubs until he retired in 2005, when he took up the manager position at Cowdenbeath. After managerial appointments with TPS, Hibs, Kilmarnock and Finland, Mixu returned to Tannadice as head coach in 2015, but saw the Club relegated at the end of that season.

Last updated on Wednesday, April 20th, 2022 by B Orr.





Debut

October 31st, 1987
Dundee United 2 - 3 St Mirren

League (Premier Division)


International Career (Finland)

Caps: 70

Goals: 18

International Debut: January 11th, 1988 v. Czechoslovakia

Mixu Paatelainen had just competed in Olympic qualifying matches for Finland when he arrived at Tannadice in October 1987. His form during his first year with United lead to full international recognition, with appearances in friendly competitions in the Canary Islands and Malta at the start of 1988. A friendly appearance against Colombia five days after playing in the 1988 Scottish Cup final lead to his continued involvement with the full international side, and he scored his first goal at that level in a 2-2 draw with Wales in Swansea in October 1988. The last of his 26 international appearance as a United player came against Scotland at Hampden in March 1992, as he faced off against Tannadice teammates Dave Bowman and Maurice Malpas. Mixu went on to make 70 international appearances for Finland, the last coming in June 2000 against Latvia.

Click here for a full list of international matches for this player


Timeline

  • Date of Birth


    Mixu was born on this date in Helsinki, Finland.

    Friday, February 3rd, 1967

  • Signed For Dundee United

    Friday, October 30th, 1987

  • First Team Debut

    Dundee United 2 - 3 St Mirren
    League (Premier Division)

    The St. Mirren bogey struck again, but for a long time, the luck appeared to be heading our way after 'keeper Campbell Money had to be replaced. He was one of two Saints carried off but the Buddies ca

    Saturday, October 31st, 1987

  • First Goal

    Dundee United 2 - 3 St Mirren
    League (Premier Division)

    The St. Mirren bogey struck again, but for a long time, the luck appeared to be heading our way after 'keeper Campbell Money had to be replaced. He was one of two Saints carried off but the Buddies ca

    Saturday, October 31st, 1987

  • International Debut


    Mixu earned his first International cap for Finland, playing against Czechoslovakia.

    Monday, January 11th, 1988

  • 50th Appearance

    Dundee United 4 - 1 Hibernian
    League (Premier Division)

    Our recent run of non-success against Hibs at Tannadice was halted with this emphatic victory. Strangely though, Hibs played very well! They set out their stall to attack and dominated the opening ten

    Saturday, December 10th, 1988

  • 50th League Appearance

    Rangers 2 - 0 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    When originally scheduled for 15th April, this was a match, which was potentially very important. However, events in the intervening period meant that Rangers had already claimed the Premier title. De

    Tuesday, May 2nd, 1989

  • 100th Appearance

    Dundee United 1 - 1 Aberdeen
    League (Premier Division)

    The emphasis being given to youth continued with Allan Preston, Ray McKinnon and Paddy Connolly all retaining their places. In fact the only change from the side which lost at lbrox was the re-introdu

    Saturday, February 10th, 1990

  • 100th League Appearance

    Dundee United 3 - 2 St Mirren
    League (Premier Division)

    A gale force wind and lashing rain made conditions particularly unpleasant for the first home game of 1991. Despite playing into the wind we dominated play in that first half. As early as the fifth mi

    Saturday, January 5th, 1991

  • Last Goal

    Dundee United 2 - 1 Falkirk
    League (Premier Division)

    We completed the full set against Falkirk at Tannadice yesterday with the fourth Premier success of the season over the Brockville men. And it was Finn Mixu Paatelainen - out of contract at the end of

    Saturday, February 29th, 1992

  • Last Appearance

    Aberdeen 0 - 2 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Following the defeat at Airdrie, manager Jim McLean rested Dave Bowman to ensure that he would be fully fit for Scotland's friendly with Finland. Jim Mclnally replaced his former Coventry colleague an

    Saturday, March 21st, 1992

  • Left the Club

    Tuesday, March 31st, 1992