Born in Irvine, Scotland, Muirhead was known for playing football and golf locally, and was mentioned on several occasions in his local newspaper. Muirhead is also the first and still the only boy to win both the West of Scotland Cup and Scottish Cup when representing Annanhill Primary School during year 6 and year 7 when he was Captain of the schools team.
Club career
Kilmarnock
Muirhead joined Kilmarnock academy before joining the first team. He made his professional league debut on the last game of the season, coming on as a substitute in the second half for Cillian Sheridan, in a 3–1 loss against St Mirren, which was Kenny Shiels's last game as Kilmarnock Manager. Muirhead's playing time in the 2013–14 season soon increased with 21 appearances and scoring twice against Partick Thistle. and St Johnstone. His first team chance attracted interests from English clubs. In the first half of the 2014–15 season, Muirhead added two more goals to his career tally, against Motherwell and St Mirren. His two goals to his tally career led Daily Record naming Muirhead as the next successor to Kris Boyd.
Dundee United
Muirhead left Kilmarnock to sign for Dundee United on the transfer deadline day for a fee of £150,000 plus add-ons, as well as signing a three-year deal. The sale of Muirhead caused the Kilmarnock manager Allan Johnston to resign in protest. Celtic was also keen to sign Muirhead, having signed Dundee United's Stuart Armstrong and Gary Mackay-Steven. Muirhead made his Dundee United debut, coming on as a substitute for Henri Anier, in a 3–2 loss against Kilmarnock. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win against Aberdeen on 2 May. He followed this up three days later with another goal, in a 2–1 defeat against Inverness Caledonian Thistle. On 1 September 2015, Muirhead was loaned to fellow Scottish Premiership club Partick Thistle on an initial three-month deal. Muirhead scored his first and second goal, including a 30-yard strike, for Thistle in a 5–2 win on 28 November against his former club Kilmarnock. He returned to Dundee United on 4 January 2016 following the expiry of his loan period. Muirhead did not play for United after his return, and was released from his contract in April 2016.
Heart of Midlothian
Muirhead signed a one-year deal with Scottish Premiership side Heart of Midlothian in June 2016. On 30 November 2016, Muirhead scored twice in a 2–0 win over Rangers.
On 19 January 2017, Muirhead signed a two-and-a-half-year deal to join English League One side Milton Keynes Dons for an undisclosed fee. He made his debut coming on as a substitute in a 5–3 home league win over Northampton Town on 21 January 2017. On 1 April 2017, Muirhead scored his first goal for the club in a 3–2 home league win over Gillingham. On 13 March 2018, Muirhead scored twice in a 3–2 home win against Rotherham United.
Dunfermline Athletic
On 31 August 2018, Muirhead joined Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic for an undisclosed fee, signing a one-year deal. He left in May 2019.
Greenock Morton
On 12 June 2019, Muirhead signed for Greenock Morton on a one-year contract.
International career
Muirhead has previously represented Scotland at U16, U17, U18 and U19 international levels. While playing for Scotland U19, Muirhead scored a goal that was nominated for a "goal of the season" award by UEFA. On 13 March 2018, Muirhead was called up to the Scotland U21national teamfor the first time.
