United Debut: v. Morton (A) 4-0 30/4/88.
Signed From: S-Form 18/6/87.
Transferred to: Rangers £750,000* Jan 1995.
Cleland made his first team debut during the 1987/88 season at the age of 17, and for the next few years was adequate cover in midfield and defence before becoming a regular starter at right-back in the early 90's. A good attacking full-back, Cleland helped out with a goal or two each season, his first in a UEFA Cup match against Glentoran in 1989 and his last being a cracker against Celtic at their temporary home Hampden in 1995. He missed only one match of United's run to the 1994 Scottish Cup Final, and had an excellent game at right-back in the Final itself. *Cleland left for Ibrox in a joint deal with Gary Bollan half-way through United's losing battle against relegation in 1995, and went on to play in the English Premiership with Everton.
Scottish Cup Winner 1994
7 Appearances
| League | Scot Cup | League Cup | Europe | Total | ||||||
| App. | Gls. | App. | Gls. | App. | Gls. | App. | Gls. | App. | Gls. | |
| 1987-88 | 1 | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 |
| 1988-89 | 9 | - | - | - | 2 | - | 1 | - | 12 | 0 |
| 1989-90 | 15 | - | - | - | - | - | 2 | 1 | 17 | 1 |
| 1990-91 | 21 | 2 | - | - | 4 | - | 4 | 1 | 29 | 3 |
| 1991-92 | 32 | 4 | 1 | - | 1 | - | - | - | 33 | 4 |
| 1992-93 | 24 | - | 1 | - | 3 | - | - | - | 28 | 0 |
| 1993-94 | 31 | 1 | 7 | - | 2 | - | 1 | - | 41 | 1 |
| 1994-95 | 18 | 1 | - | - | 2 | - | 1 | - | 21 | 1 |
|
Total
|
151 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 183 | 10 |
