Gary McDonald (footballer, born 1982)

Gary Matthew McDonald (born 10 April 1982 in Irvine, North Ayrshire) is a Scottish professional footballer who last played for Scottish Junior club Kilwinning Rangers. He also played for Kilmarnock, Oldham Athletic, Aberdeen, Hamilton Academical, Morecambe, St Johnstone and Peterhead.

For those of a similar name, see Gary McDonald (disambiguation).

Gary McDonald
Personal information
Full name Gary Matthew McDonald[1]
Date of birth (1982-04-10) 10 April 1982
Place of birth Irvine, Scotland
Position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Kilwinning Rangers
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2001–2006 Kilmarnock 106 (11)
2006–2008 Oldham Athletic 78 (11)
2008–2010 Aberdeen 52 (8)
2010–2011 Hamilton Academical 25 (0)
2011–2013 Morecambe 85 (6)
2013–2015 St Johnstone 45 (1)
2015 Peterhead 15 (7)
2015–2016 Kilwinning Rangers 0 (0)
National team
2005 Scotland B 1 (1)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 18:47, 11 September 2015 (UTC)

Club career

McDonald started his career at Kilmarnock, playing there for five seasons between 2001 and 2006, where he played in 106 league matches, scoring 11 goals.

On 18 June 2006, McDonald signed for English League One side Oldham Athletic, becoming John Sheridan's first signing as Oldham manager.[2] On 5 January 2008, McDonald scored from 23 metres (25 yd) in Oldham's 1–0 win over Premier League side Everton in the third round of the FA Cup.[3] Interviewed on Match of the Day after the match, McDonald described the goal as the best of his career.

In late April 2008, McDonald agreed a pre-contract to sign for Aberdeen in the summer.[4] On 21 November 2009, McDonald was sent off during Aberdeen's 1–1 draw against Motherwell, shown a second yellow card having removed his shirt after scoring Aberdeen's equaliser.[5] During his second season at Aberdeen, McDonald, along with teammate Mark Kerr was the subject of booing from some Aberdeen fans. McDonald said this didn't bother him, describing it as "water off a duck's back".[6]

McDonald left Aberdeen once his contract expired, and he joined fellow SPL club Hamilton Academical on 4 August 2010.[7] On 14 May 2011, he was one of eight players released by Hamilton following their relegation to the First Division.[8]

On 23 June 2011, McDonald returned to England, signing for Morecambe of League Two.[9] It was announced on 27 May 2013, that McDonald would be leaving Morecambe after turning down a new contract with the club.[10]

McDonald signed for St Johnstone on 13 June 2013.[11] He made his debut for the club on 18 July 2013, in a 1–0 win away to Rosenborg in the Europa League.[12] On 6 January 2014, McDonald signed a new contract, keeping him at St Johnstone until 2015, with an option for another year.[13] He came on as a substitute as they won the 2014 Scottish Cup Final.[14] On 2 February 2015, McDonald was released by St Johnstone.[15]

On 12 February 2015, McDonald signed for Peterhead until the end of the 2014–15 season.[16]

In July 2015, McDonald signed for Junior club Kilwinning Rangers on a one-year contract.[17]

International career

McDonald has been capped by Scotland at Under-21 level.

He was capped in a Scotland B international against Poland, in 2005, at his then club ground, Rugby Park, scoring the opening goal in a 2–0 victory.[18]

Career statistics
As of 11 September 2015
Club Season League Cup League Cup Other[A] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Kilmarnock 2001–02 Scottish Premier League 6010000070
2002–03 122001000132
2003–04 233210000254
2004–05 383312100435
2005–06 273001000283
Total 1061162410011614
Oldham Athletic 2006–07 League One 437400020497
2007–08 354522010436
Total 78119220309213
Aberdeen 2008–09 Scottish Premier League 285102100316
2009–10 243211020294
Total 5283131206010
Hamilton Academical 2010–11 Scottish Premier League 250001000260
Morecambe 2011–12 League Two 423102010463
2012–13 433312010494
Total 856414020957
St Johnstone 2013–14 Scottish Premiership 290413140402
2014–15 160001020190
Total 450414160592
Peterhead 2014–15 Scottish League One 157000000157
Career total 4064326718313046353
A. ^ Other includes Football League play-offs, Football League Trophy and UEFA Europa League.

References
  1. Hugman, Barry J. (ed) (2008). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2008–09. Mainstream. ISBN 978-1-84596-324-8.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  2. "Oldham sign Killie star McDonald". BBC Sport. 18 June 2006. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  3. Phil McNulty Everton 0–1 Oldham, BBC Sport, 5 January 2008. Retrieved 5 January 2008
  4. "Aberdeen sign Oldham midfielder". BBC Sport. 30 April 2008. Retrieved 30 April 2008.
  5. "Motherwell 1–1 Aberdeen". BBC Sport. 21 November 2009. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  6. "Aberdeen's Gary McDonald unaffected by fans' boos". BBC Sport. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  7. "Hamilton Accies sign midfielder Gary McDonald". BBC Sport. 4 August 2010. Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  8. "Hamilton wield axe for the drop". BBC Sport. 14 May 2011. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  9. "Morecambe net Gary McDonald & Lewis Alessandra". BBC Sport. 24 June 2011. Retrieved 24 June 2011.
  10. "Morecambe: Gary McDonald to leave after rejecting new deal". BBC Sport. 27 May 2013. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  11. "St Johnstone sign Gary McDonald after Morecambe exit". BBC Sport. 13 June 2013. Retrieved 13 June 2013.
  12. "Magnificent Sainst upset the odds". perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk. 18 July 2013. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  13. "EXTENDED DEALS FOR MIDFIELDERS GARY AND SCOTT". perthstjohnstonefc.co.uk. 6 January 2014. Archived from the original on 7 January 2014. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
  14. "St Johnstone 2-0 Dundee United". BBC Sport. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  15. "GARY MCDONALD RELEASED". St Johnstone F.C. 2 February 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
  16. "Gary McDonald: Peterhead sign experienced midfielder". BBC Sport. 12 February 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2015.
  17. McGowan, Eric (9 July 2015). "Scottish cup winner Gary McDonald reveals old Killie pals act persuaded him to join Kilwinning Rangers". Daily Record. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  18. "Scotland Future 2–0 Poland Future". BBC Sport. 6 December 2005. Retrieved 7 January 2014.
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