Barrie McKay

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 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. 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.

Club career

Rangers

McKay made his first-team debut for Rangers on 13 May 2012, in a 4–0 win against St Johnstone. On 11 August 2012, he scored Rangers first goal in their first match in the Third Division, a 2–2 draw against Peterhead. On 11 September 2012, McKay pledged his future to Rangers for another five-years. 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 and a 4–2 win against Montrose, racking up a number of assists in the process.

On 27 December 2013, he joined Greenock Morton on a one-month loan deal. 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. On 28 January 2014, his loan was extended until the end of the season.

McKay signed for Scottish Championship club Raith Rovers on 1 September 2014, agreeing a loan move until 1 January 2015. 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.

The arrival of new Rangers manager Mark Warburton in June 2015 saw McKay appear more frequently in the first team. 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 from the Scottish Championship for his performances in the 2015–16 season.

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. He was assigned squad number 10. On his début on 4 August 2017, he scored the only goal of the game against Millwall.

Swansea City

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

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

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

Hearts

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

International career

McKay was a youth international, representing the Scotland national team at under-18, under-19 and under-21 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 and made his Scotland debut as an 84th-minute substitute during a 3–0 defeat to the latter on 4 June 2016.

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.

Personal life

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

Career statistics

Club

International

Honours

Rangers
*Scottish Third Division: 2012–13
*Scottish Championship: 2015–16
*Scottish Challenge Cup

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