David Goodwillie
Scotland and Blackburn striker David Goodwillie has pleaded guilty to assault SFA

Scotland and Blackburn striker David Goodwillie has pleaded guilty to assaulting a man in a hat trick of violent offences.

The 23-year-old ex-Rangers forward repeatedly punched and kicked John Friel on 3 November, 2010. He pleaded guilty to the offence at Glasgow sheriff court and will be sentenced in May.

In a career where the player has consistently courted controversy, this is set to be his fourth assault conviction since 2008.

In June 2008, the Blackburn striker was arrested after assaulting a man in a Stirling nightclub and fined £250.

Two months later Goodwillie knocked a nightclub doorman unconscious and received a £200 fine.

Goodwillie had been charged and bailed for the attack but the CPS dropped the charges. The plaintiff will be starting civil proceedings against the striker.

Blackburn paid £2m for the 23-year-old at the start of the 2011/12 season and signed him up to a four-year contract.

Goodwillie has played 16 times for struggling Blackburn Rovers and scored just two goals.