Barrie McKay explained

Barrie McKay
Full Name:Barrie McKay[1]
Birth Date:30 December 1994[2]
Birth Place:Paisley, Scotland[3]
Height:1.72m (05.64feet)[4]
Position:Winger
Currentclub:Heart of Midlothian
Clubnumber:10
Youthyears1:2005–2011
Youthclubs1:Kilmarnock
Youthyears2:2011–2012
Youthclubs2:Rangers
Years1:2012–2017
Clubs1:Rangers
Caps1:103
Goals1:12
Years2:2013–2014
Clubs2:Greenock Morton (loan)
Caps2:18
Goals2:5
Years3:2014–2015
Clubs3:Raith Rovers (loan)
Caps3:23
Goals3:1
Years4:2017–2018
Clubs4:Nottingham Forest
Caps4:26
Goals4:5
Years5:2018–2021
Clubs5:Swansea City
Caps5:37
Goals5:2
Years6:2020–2021
Clubs6:Fleetwood Town (loan)
Caps6:33
Goals6:4
Years7:2021–
Clubs7:Heart of Midlothian
Caps7:82
Goals7:6
Club-Update:11 August 2024 (UTC)
Nationalyears1:2012
Nationalteam1:Scotland U18[5]
Nationalcaps1:23
Nationalgoals1:5
Nationalyears2:2012–2013
Nationalteam2:Scotland U19[6]
Nationalcaps2:6
Nationalgoals2:2
Nationalyears3:2012–2016
Nationalteam3:Scotland U21[7]
Nationalcaps3:4
Nationalgoals3:0
Nationalteam4:Scotland
Nationalyears4:2016–
Nationalcaps4:1
Nationalgoals4:0
Ntupdate:12 June 2021 (UTC)

Barrie McKay (born 30 December 1994) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a striker or as a winger for club Heart of Midlothian. McKay has previously played for Rangers, Greenock Morton, Raith Rovers, Nottingham Forest, Swansea City and Fleetwood Town. He has also appeared once for the Scotland national team, in 2016.

Early life

McKay was raised in Barrhead[8] and began his career as a youth player for Kilmarnock, where he spent seven years. He was released by Kilmarnock due to a hip problem which their medical staff feared would cause him long-term problems.[9] McKay was then signed by Rangers in the summer of 2011. He played regularly in their under-19 side at the age of 16 and ended the season as top goalscorer.[10] [11] [12]

Club career

Rangers

McKay made his first-team debut for Rangers on 13 May 2012, in a 4–0 win against St Johnstone.[13] On 11 August 2012, he scored Rangers first goal in their first match in the Third Division,[14] a 2–2 draw against Peterhead.[15] On 11 September 2012, McKay pledged his future to Rangers for another five-years.[16] After a great start to the season, his form dropped and as a result he was dropped to the bench with Fraser Aird taking his place. After a few matches on the sidelines, he reclaimed his place in the starting eleven with a stunning performance from the bench against Alloa Athletic, in which he scored two goals in a 7–0 win. From that point on, McKay established himself as a key player in the team, putting in several excellent performances, including in a 3–0 win against Elgin City[17] and a 4–2 win against Montrose,[18] racking up a number of assists in the process.[19]

On 27 December 2013, he joined Greenock Morton on a one-month loan deal.[20] As there were no U20 League fixtures until January 2014, this was to give him some much needed game time, with McKay expected to be available for five fixtures in his time at Cappielow.[21] On 28 January 2014, his loan was extended until the end of the season.[22] [23]

McKay signed for Scottish Championship club Raith Rovers on 1 September 2014, agreeing a loan move until 1 January 2015.[24] On 31 December 2014, it was announced by Raith Rovers that McKay's loan deal had been extended until the end of 2014–15 season.[25]

The arrival of new Rangers manager Mark Warburton in June 2015 saw McKay appear more frequently in the first team.[26] On 19 August 2015, he scored his first goal for Rangers since November 2012, in a 2–0 win over Ayr United in the Scottish Challenge Cup.[27] On 15 February 2016, McKay extended his Rangers contract until May 2018.[28] On 17 April 2016, he scored a long-range goal to put Rangers 2–1 up against Celtic in the Scottish Cup semi-final. After the match finished 2–2, Rangers went on to win on penalties and progress to the final, with McKay scoring in the penalty shootout.[29] He was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year from the Scottish Championship for his performances in the 2015–16 season.[30]

Nottingham Forest

McKay signed a four-year contract with Nottingham Forest on 5 July 2017 for a reported fee of £500,000, linking up with Warburton once again.[31] He was assigned squad number 10.[32] On his début on 4 August 2017, he scored the only goal of the game against Millwall.[33]

Swansea City

On 31 July 2018, McKay signed a three-year contract with Swansea City, having moved from Nottingham Forest for an undisclosed fee.[34]

On 31 January 2020, McKay joined Fleetwood Town on loan until the end of the 2019–20 season.[35] [36] [37] He returned to Fleetwood in September 2020, again on loan.[38]

McKay was confirmed to be leaving the Welsh club at the end of the 2020–21 season.[39]

Hearts

On 7 September 2021 McKay signed with Hearts on a two-year deal.[40]

International career

McKay was a youth international, representing the Scotland national team at under-18,[5] under-19[6] and under-21[7] levels.

McKay received his first call-up to the senior Scotland squad in May 2016, along with Rangers teammate Lee Wallace, for friendlies against Italy and France[41] and made his Scotland debut as an 84th-minute substitute during a 3–0 defeat to the latter on 4 June 2016.[42]

Six years later, he received his second call-up for the UEFA Nations League match against Ukraine after Scott McTominay was suspended for picking up a booking against the Republic of Ireland.[43]

Personal life

He is the younger brother of fellow footballer Daniel McKay,[44] and has two other brothers.[45]

Career statistics

Club

Apeearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Rangers2011–12Scottish Premier League1000000010
2012–13Scottish Third Division31132403[46] 1414
2013–14Scottish League One2000101141
2014–15Scottish Championship0000000000
2015–16Scottish Championship346623051489
2016–17Scottish Premiership3554071466
Total103121341519314020
Greenock Morton (loan)2013–14Scottish Championship183000000183
Raith Rovers (loan)2014–15Scottish Championship231210000252
Nottingham Forest2017–18Championship2651010285
Swansea City2018–19Championship3021100313
2019–20Championship40103080
Total342213000393
Fleetwood Town (loan)2019–20League One8200002[47] 0102
2020–21League One23200002[48] 1253
Total314000041355
Heart of Midlothian2021–22Scottish Premiership 3325000382
2022–23Scottish Premiership 364301080484
2023–24Scottish Premiership 110101020150
2024–25Scottish Premiership2000100030
Total82690301001046
Career total3173327622123438944

International

Honours

Rangers

2012–13[49]

2015–16[50]

2015–16[51]

Individual

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Notification of shirt numbers: Swansea City . English Football League . 71 . 3 January 2020.
  2. Web site: Barrie McKay . . uefa.com . 30 December 2016.
  3. Web site: Barrie McKay - Rangers Football Club, Official Website . 31 May 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170219024326/https://rangers.co.uk/talent/barrie-mckay/ . 19 February 2017 . dead .
  4. Web site: Barrie McKay . Swansea City A.F.C. . 3 January 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210507014525/https://www.swanseacity.com/player/93 . 7 May 2021 . dead .
  5. Web site: Barrie McKay Under-18 . . scottishfa.co.uk . 21 August 2012.
  6. Web site: Barrie McKay Under-19 . Scottish Football Association . scottishfa.co.uk . 21 August 2012.
  7. Web site: Barrie McKay Under-21 . Scottish Football Association . scottishfa.co.uk . 30 December 2016.
  8. Web site: Barrhead sporting highlights of 2012 [August] ]. Barrhead News. 4 January 2013. 4 June 2018.
  9. News: Rangers ace Barrie McKay: Being released by Kilmarnock as a teenager taught me a harsh lesson in football . Gary . Ralston . Daily Record . Trinity Mirror . Glasgow . 14 March 2016 .
  10. Web site: Barrie McKay . Rangers.co.uk . Rangers Football Club . 6 October 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20121117011002/http://www.rangers.co.uk/teams/first-team/item/417-barrie-mckay . 17 November 2012 . dmy-all .
  11. Web site: Rangers boss Ally McCoist gives new deals to Ibrox trio . Daily Record . Trinity Mirror. Glasgow . 11 September 2012 . 6 October 2012.
  12. Web site: Real McKay! Rangers boss hails Ibrox starlet . David . McCarthy . Daily Record . Trinity Mirror . Glasgow . 20 August 2012.
  13. Web site: St Johnstone 0–4 Rangers . BBC Sport . BBC . Andy . Campbell . 13 May 2012.
  14. News: Adapt or die: McKay's call to team-mates . Trinity Mirror . Daily Record. Glasgow . 13 August 2012 . 20 August 2012.
  15. Web site: Peterhead 2–2 Rangers . BBC . BBC Sport . Andy . Campbell. 11 August 2012 .
  16. Web site: The Future Boys . Rangers.co.uk . Rangers Football Club . David . Melvin . 11 September 2012 . 11 September 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120914061433/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/2160-the-future-boys . 14 September 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
  17. Web site: Rangers-3 0 Elgin City . Rangers Football Club . Lindsay . Herron . Rangers.co.uk . 3 December 2012 . 16 December 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20121208011320/http://www.rangers.co.uk/match/match-reports/item/2835-rangers-3-0-elgin-city . 8 December 2012 . dead . dmy-all .
  18. News: Montrose 2–4 Rangers . BBC Sport . BBC . Brian . McLauchlin. 16 December 2012.
  19. Web site: Ally McCoist sings the praises of teenager Barrie McKay . News UK. Sky Sports . 3 December 2012 . 16 December 2012.
  20. News: Morton make double signing . Newsquest . Greenock . Greenock Telegraph . Jonathan . Mitchell . 27 December 2013 . 27 December 2013.
  21. News: McKay in Ton loan switch. Rangers.co.uk. Rangers Football Club. 27 December 2013. 27 December 2013. Andrew. Dickson. https://web.archive.org/web/20131227191011/http://www.rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/5882-mckay-in-ton-loan-switch. 27 December 2013. dead. dmy-all.
  22. News: McKay to stay at Morton until end of campaign . Newsquest . Greenock Telegraph . Jonathan . Mitchell. 28 January 2014. 28 January 2014.
  23. News: McKay to stay at Ton until end of season . Times & Herald Group . Evening Times . 28 January 2014 . 28 January 2014 . Chris . Jack.
  24. Web site: Transfer Window Roundup. Rangers.co.uk. Rangers Football Club. 1 September 2014. 1 September 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140912121613/http://rangers.co.uk/news/headlines/item/7594-transfer-window-roundup. 12 September 2014. dead. dmy-all.
  25. Web site: Barrie McKay Loan Deal Extended . Raith Rovers Football Club . Raithrovers.net. 31 December 2014. 31 December 2014.
  26. Web site: Rangers boss Mark Warburton tips Barrie McKay to play 'at the highest level' after impressing at Ibrox . Evening Times . eveningtimes.co.uk . 20 October 2015 . 30 December 2016.
  27. Web site: Ayr United 0–2 Rangers . Richard . Wilson . BBC . BBC Sport . 19 August 2015 . 30 December 2016.
  28. Web site: Barrie McKay extends Rangers deal until May 2018 . BBC . BBC Sport . 15 February 2016 . 30 December 2016.
  29. Web site: Rangers 2–2 Celtic . Richard . Wilson . BBC . BBC Sport . 17 April 2015 . 30 December 2016.
  30. Web site: Only two Celtic players in Scottish Premiership team of season . BBC Sport . BBC . 29 April 2016 . 29 April 2016.
  31. News: Barrie McKay: Rangers winger completes move to Nottingham Forest . BBC Sport . BBC . 5 July 2017 . 5 July 2017.
  32. News: Squad numbers confirmed. 31 July 2017. 5 August 2017. nottinghamforest.co.uk. Nottingham Forest F.C..
  33. Web site: Nottingham Forest 1–0 Millwall . BBC Sport . BBC . 4 August 2017 . 5 June 2021.
  34. Web site: Swansea City sign Scottish international Barrie McKay . BBC Sport . 31 July 2018 . 31 July 2018.
  35. Web site: Lewis Gibson, Barrie McKay and Isak Thorvaldsson join Fleetwood on loan . BBC Sport . 31 January 2020 . 5 June 2021.
  36. Web site: BARRIE MCKAY MAKES FLEETWOOD LOAN SWITCH. swanseacity.com. 31 January 2020. 23 August 2020.
  37. Web site: The personal issues behind Barrie McKay's Fleetwood Town transfer and the Rangers contacts that sealed move from Swansea City. Wales online. Mitchelmore. Ian. 7 February 2020. 23 August 2020.
  38. Web site: Barrie McKay: Fleetwood re-sign Swansea forward on loan . BBC Sport . 25 September 2020 . 4 June 2021.
  39. Web site: Swansea City confirm retained list. www.swanseacity.com. 4 June 2021.
  40. Web site: Barrie McKay: Winger joins Hearts on two-year deal . BBC Sport . 7 September 2021 . 7 September 2021.
  41. News: Scotland: Rangers' Barrie McKay and Lee Wallace in squad for Italy & France . 12 May 2016. BBC . BBC Sport. 12 May 2016.
  42. News: France 3-0 Scotland. Alasdair. Lamont. 4 June 2016. BBC. BBC Sport.
  43. News: Cassidy . Peter . 25 September 2022 . McKay and Kingsley called up to Scotland squad as trio drop out . 25 September 2022 . . en-GB.
  44. Web site: Signings . SJFA . scottishfa.co.uk . 10 August 2012 . 20 August 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120820191322/http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/sjfa/scottish_fa_news.cfm?page=1747&newsCategoryID=28&newsID=10361 . 20 August 2012 . dead.
  45. Web site: Meet Rangers ace Barrie McKay's twinkle-toed older brother who is an Irish dancing star . Daily Record . 5 June 2016. 4 June 2018.
  46. Appearances in Scottish Challenge Cup
  47. Appearances in League One play-offs
  48. Appearances in the FA Trophy
  49. News: Rangers celebrate Scottish Third Division title win . BBC . BBC Sport . 30 March 2013 .
  50. News: Rangers 1-0 Dumbarton . BBC . BBC Sport. Andy. Burke . 5 April 2016 . 5 April 2016 .
  51. News: Rangers 4-0 Peterhead. BBC . BBC Sport . Tom . English . 10 April 2016 . 10 April 2016 .
  52. Web site: Leigh Griffiths: Celtic forward named PFA Scotland Player of the Year . BBC . BBC Sport . 1 May 2016 . 1 May 2016.