Introduction
Barrie McKay (born 30 December 1994) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays for Scottish Premiership club Rangers and the Scotland national team. McKay can play either as a striker or as a winger.
Early life
McKay 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
First team breakthrough
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 the club's inaugural game in the Third Division, a 2–2 draw against Peterhead. On 28 August 2012, it was reported that Liverpool and Everton were interested in McKay. 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.
Loan spells
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.
Return to Rangers
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. On 15 February 2016, McKay extended his Rangers contract until May 2018. 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. He was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year from the Scottish Championship for his performances in the 2015–16 season.
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.
Personal life
He is the brother of fellow footballer Daniel McKay.
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 21 January 2017
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Rangers | ||||||||||||
| 2011–12 | Scottish Premier League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2012–13 | Scottish Third Division | 31 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 41 | 4 | |
| 2013–14 | Scottish League One | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |
| 2014–15 | Scottish Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2015–16 | Scottish Championship | 34 | 6 | 6 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 48 | 9 | |
| 2016–17 | Scottish Premiership | 20 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | — | 28 | 3 | ||
| Total | 88 | 9 | 10 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 122 | 17 | ||
| Greenock Morton (loan) | 2013–14 | Scottish Championship | 18 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 3 |
| Raith Rovers (loan) | 2014–15 | Scottish Championship | 23 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 2 |
| Career total | 129 | 13 | 12 | 5 | 15 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 165 | 22 | ||
International
- As of match played 4 June 2016
| Scotland national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 2016 | 1 | 0 |
| Total | 1 | 0 |
Honours
Club
Rangers
- Scottish Third Division: 2012–13
- Scottish Championship: 2015–16
- Scottish Challenge Cup: 2015–16
Individual
- Scottish Championship PFA Scotland Team of the Year: 2015–16
- PFA Scotland Goal of the Season: 2015–16
- "Rangers celebrate Scottish Third Division title win". BBC Sport. BBC. 30 March 2013.
- Burke, Andy (5 April 2016). "Rangers 1-0 Dumbarton". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
- English, Tom (10 April 2016). "Rangers 4-0 Peterhead". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 10 April 2016.
- "Only two Celtic players in Scottish Premiership team of season". BBC Sport. BBC. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
- "Leigh Griffiths: Celtic forward named PFA Scotland Player of the Year". BBC. BBC Sport. 1 May 2016. Retrieved 1 May 2016.