Adam joined Rangers as a schoolboy,[3] going on to play for the clubs under 19 side.[4] He was a finalist in the Scottish Youth Cup final in April 2009, lost 2–1 to Hibernian,[5] and was again a runner-up in the same competition a year later when Celtic won 2–0.[6] He was included in the Rangers first team squad for the first time on 16 October 2010, as an unused substitute in a 4–1 win over Motherwell.[7]
He was sent on loan to Forfar in July 2011.[8][9] The loan was due to run until January, but Adam was recalled by Rangers after just one game.[10][11][12] The curtailment of the loan deal required the permission of the Scottish Football League board, which was obtained.[13]
In January 2012, Adam was sent on loan to Airdrie United.[14][15][16] He made his debut on 28 January, playing the full 90 minutes against Stirling.[17] With parent club Rangers going into administration in February 2012, this led to fears he would have to return to Rangers but he remained with the club.[18][19] On 25 February, he was sent off in the 36th minute against East Fife for a deliberate handball outside the area.[20] Adam said the ball had struck him on the chest however Airdrie decided not to appeal as video evidence wasn't clear enough.[21] In all he made 18 appearances for Airdrie.[22] Following his release from Rangers, Airdrie tried to sign Adam him on a permanent deal[23] however Adam was looking for a full-time club.[24]
St Mirren
On his return from loan, Adam was out of contract.[25] After his contract with Rangers expired, he joined Scottish Premier League side St Mirren on trial.[26][27] He travelled with the club on their pre-season tour of Spain[28] and featured for them as a trialist during their pre-season friendlies.[29][30] On 26 July 2012, Adam signed a two-year contract[31] and was given the squad number 16.[32] During an under-20 match against Celtic on 7 August,[33] Adam damaged his posterior cruciate ligament and suffered a hairline fracture on his tibia in an accidental clash with teammate Jordan Holt;[34] the injury ruled him out of action for three to four months.[35]
Following his return from injury, he rejoined Airdrie United on loan.[36][37] He made his debut for the second time the following day,[38] against Cowdenbeath in a 1–1 draw.[39] After two games on 14 December, his loan was extended until 13 January 2013.[40] Following the death of his father he was granted compassionate leave by the club, missing one game.[41] In all he made eight appearances,[42] before returning to St Mirren.[24]
Ahead of the 2014–15 season, Adam signed for Dundee on a short term contract.[45] He left the club at the end of his contract on 1 September 2014.[46]
Morton, Cowdenbeath & Forfar
On 23 September 2014, Adam signed for Alloa Athletic,[47] however three days later Alloa manager Barry Smith announced that due to a problem with the player's registration, the signing would not take place.[48]
On 6 December 2014, Adam played as a trialist for Greenock Morton as they lost 2–0 to Stranraer.[49] After the trial spell, Adam signed until the end of the season in January 2015.[50] In May 2015, he signed a new one-year contract with Morton.[51] He was released in January 2016[52] and signed for Cowdenbeath.[53] After less than 6 months at Central Park and following their relegation to the fourth tier of Scottish football, Adam signed a two-year deal with Forfar Athletic, where he previously had a short loan spell whilst at Rangers.[54]
Dumbarton
After leaving Forfar Athletic, Adam joined Dumbarton in June 2018, signing a one-year deal.[55] After an injury hit season with the Sons, he was released by the club in May 2019.[56]
He was called up to the Scotland under-21 squad for the first time in August 2010.[62] He made his debut on 24 March 2011 in a 1–0 defeat to Belgium.[63] Following his appearance in court for breach of the peace, he was dropped from the squad to play the Netherlands in November 2011,[64] losing his starting place to Mark Ridgers.[65] He returned to the international squad on 26 April 2012, as a half time substitute in their match against Italy.[66] He lasted only a few minutes before being stretchered off with a head knock.[67] Adam made six appearances for the squad.[68]
Personal life
Adam was raised in Dundee. He is the son of the late Charles Adam and brother of fellow footballer Charlie Adam.[69] His father died aged 50 in December 2012, during Grant's second loan spell with Airdrie United.[70]
On 6 July 2011, he was arrested and charged over an alleged sectarian breach of the peace[71] outside the Corinthian nightclub in Glasgow.[72] He pleaded not guilty to the charge.[73][74] This led to him being dropped from the Scotland under-21 squad.[75] On 4 May 2012, he was found guilty[76] and fined £500 by the court.[77]
In October 2021, Adam received an eight-month jail sentence for embezzling around £15 000 from his grandfather while he had power of attorney over his grandfather's finances.
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