Brad McKay

Brad McKay (born 26 March 1993)[2] is a Scottish professional footballer who used to play as a defender for Scottish League One club, Falkirk.[3] McKay has previously played for Heart of Midlothian, St Johnstone and Inverness Caledonian Thistle, as well as Penicuik Athletic, Stenhousemuir, Dunfermline Athletic and Kelty Hearts on loan.

Brad McKay
Personal information
Full nameBrad McKay
Date of birth (1993-03-26) 26 March 1993 (age 31)
Place of birthEdinburgh, Scotland
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)Centre-back[1]
Youth career
Edinburgh City
2010–2013Heart of Midlothian
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2010–2015Heart of Midlothian40(1)
2010Penicuik Athletic (loan)29(0)
2012Stenhousemuir (loan)4(0)
2015–2016St Johnstone4(0)
2016Dunfermline Athletic (loan)16(2)
2016–2021Inverness Caledonian Thistle124(7)
2021–2024Falkirk44(3)
2024Kelty Hearts (loan)13(0)
International career
2013Scotland U211(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 May 2024 (UTC)

Career

Heart of Midlothian

McKay grew up supporting Heart of Midlothian (Hearts)[4] and joined the club from local side Edinburgh City in July 2010,[5] aged 17.[1] During the 2010–11 season he gained some experience on loan at junior side Penicuik Athletic,[6] winning their Players' Player of the Year award.[7] McKay was included in the first team squad for the first time[8] on 17 December 2011, when he was an unused substitute against Dunfermline.[9] In May 2012, he signed a 12-month contract tying him to the club until at least the summer of 2013.[10] In November McKay was loaned to Second Division side Stenhousemuir on a month's loan deal,[11] he returned to Hearts after making four league appearances.[12] In February 2013, McKay signed a further one-year extension committing him to the club until the summer of 2014.[13] On 10 March 2013, McKay made his first team debut[14] coming on as a 38th-minute substitute[15] at Easter Road in a Scottish Premier League match against Hibernian, replacing the injured Fraser Mullen in a 0–0 draw.[16] Throughout the pre-season of 2014–15 season McKay was given the opportunity to captain his boyhood club by head coach Robbie Neilson when club captain Danny Wilson was not on the field. McKay played less frequently during the 2014–15 season, as he was unable to break a defensive partnership of Wilson and Alim Ozturk.[17]

St Johnstone

In February 2015 it was announced that McKay had signed a pre-contract agreement with St Johnstone.[17] He moved there as a free agent on a two-year contract in the summer of 2015.[17] and made his league debut against his former side Hearts on 2 August, his mistake costing an early goal as St Johnstone lost 4–3.

After playing just 3 matches for the Saints, McKay was loaned out for the remainder of the season to Scottish League One side Dunfermline Athletic, primarily to provide cover for the recently injured Marc McAusland.[18] McKay made his debut for the Pars in a Scottish Cup match against Scottish Premiership side Ross County. His first half challenge on Alex Schalk conceded a penalty which allowed the Staggies to take a 2–1 lead at half time. McKay redeemed himself however by scoring a header from a Michael Paton corner in the 56th minute, with the match finishing 2–2.[19] McKay's contribution to the side helped Dunfermline to win the Scottish League One title, his second league title in as many years.[20]

McKay returned to Perth at the end of his loan spell, however he was released by St Johnstone on 29 August 2016, after being deemed surplus to requirements by manager Tommy Wright.[21]

Inverness Caledonian Thistle

On 31 August 2016, McKay signed for Inverness Caledonian Thistle on a two-year contract after being released by fellow Scottish Premiership side St Johnstone.[22]

Falkirk

On 28 May 2021, McKay agreed a move to League One outfit, Falkirk.[23]

Kelty Hearts

In January 2024, McKay joined Kelty Hearts on loan until the end of the season.[24]

Career statistics

As of match played 4 May 2024
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueScottish CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Heart of Midlothian2011–12[25]Scottish Premier League0000000000
2012–13[26]2000000020
2013–14[27]Scottish Premiership280103000320
2014–15[28]Scottish Championship10110101[a]0131
Heart of Midlothian Total401204010471
Stenhousemuir (loan)2012–13[26]Scottish Second Division4000000040
St Johnstone2015–16[29]Scottish Premiership2000002[b]141
2016–17[30]2000110031
St Johnstone Total4000112172
Dunfermline Athletic (loan)2015–16[29]Scottish League One162210000183
Inverness Caledonian Thistle2016–17[30]Scottish Premiership261200000281
2017–18[31]Scottish Championship35220404[a]0452
2018–19[32]19130401[a]0271
2019–20[33]9030301[a]0160
2020–21[34]211203000261
Inverness CT Total1105120140601425
Falkirk2021–22[35]Scottish League One15100101[a]0171
2022–23[36]27252303[a][c]0384
2023–24[37]2000300050
Falkirk Total443527040605
Kelty Hearts (loan)2023-24[37]Scottish League One13010-00140
Career total2311422326117129116

Honours

Club

Dunfermline Athletic

Personal life

McKay is known by his nickname 'Angry Man', due to his dislike of losing.[39]

References