Jamie MacDonald (footballer)

James MacDonald (born 17 April 1986) is Scottish a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper who plays for Scottish Championship club Greenock Morton.

Jamie MacDonald
MacDonald playing for Heart of Midlothian in 2012
Personal information
Full name James MacDonald
Date of birth (1986-04-17) 17 April 1986
Place of birth Broxburn, Scotland
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.86 m)[1]
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team
 Greenock Morton
Number 30
Youth career
2002–2003 Musselburgh Athletic
2003–2007 Heart of Midlothian
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2007–2014 Heart of Midlothian 116 (0)
2007 → Queen of the South (loan) 14 (0)
2007–2008 → Queen of the South (loan) 34 (0)
2014–2015 Falkirk 36 (0)
2015–2020 Kilmarnock 109 (0)
2019–2020 → Alloa Athletic (loan) 18 (0)
2020–2023 Raith Rovers 51 (0)
2023– Greenock Morton 7 (0)
International career
2007–2008 Scotland U21 10 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 16:05, 1 October 2022 (UTC)

MacDonald has previously played for Heart of Midlothian, Queen of the South, Falkirk and Alloa Athletic and Kilmarnock, and has played in three Scottish Cup finals with different clubs, winning the competition in 2012.[2] He also represented Scotland at under-21 level.

Early life

James MacDonald was born on 17 April 1986 in Broxburn, West Lothian.[1]

Club career

Heart of Midlothian

MacDonald first signed for Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) in 2003, moving from Musselburgh Athletic.[3] A member of the club's under 21 team and having yet to feature for the first team MacDonald was sent out on loan in January 2007 to Queen of the South, in all he was there for 18 months.[4]

Queen of the South (loan)

In January 2007, like Robbie Neilson before him, MacDonald joined Scottish First Division club Queen of the South on loan to gain competitive experience.[5] He made his debut on 27 January against Partick Thistle.[6] In all he made 16 appearances in all competitions that season.[7] He earned the SFL Young Player of the Month award for March 2007.[8]

On 10 July 2007 he was sent back on loan to Queens for the new season,[9] making his debut for the second time on 4 August 2007 against St Johnstone.[10] MacDonald established himself as Queens first choice keeper and was an integral part of the team on their run to their first ever Scottish Cup Final. With MacDonald in goal, Queens triumphed in the quarter finals for only the second time in their history despite their previous Scottish Cup quarter final appearances running into double figures. The 2–0 victory against Dundee produced a record breaking 84-yard winner from Ryan McCann. The semi final 4–3 victory against Aberdeen produced another record; the highest scoring Scottish Cup semi final in history.[11]

In all he made 40 appearances that season keeping 12 clean sheets.[12] His final game for Queen of the South came on 24 May 2008 in the Final[13] which ended in a 3–2 defeat to Rangers.[14] Since Rangers had already qualified for the Champions League the runners-up earned the consolation of a place in next season's UEFA Cup.[11][15] On his return to Hearts, MacDonald said of his time at Queens, "My loan spell last year was good and allowed me to play in big games like the Scottish Cup Final."[16] Queens attempted to bring Macdonald back for a third loan spell in December 2008 but Hearts turned them down as he had now made his first team debut for the club.[17] MacDonald returned to Hearts for the 2008–09 season and, after playing regularly during pre-season fixtures, new manager Csaba Laszlo stated his intent to use him as back-up to first choice keeper Steve Banks.[18] He made his competitive debut for Hearts against, Rangers, on 16 August 2008 at Ibrox.[19] MacDonald had been selected to play following the announcement that Banks had taken up a coaching only role, having previously had a player-coach role. Hearts lost the game 2–0, the second goal a last minute penalty from Kris Boyd, who had scored twice against MacDonald in the 2008 Scottish Cup Final.[20] Manager Laszlo said that he was happy with MacDonald's performance against Rangers but he then dropped him in favour of Slovakian loan signing Marian Kello. MacDonald said that in the absence of first team football, "If there's a chance to go out on loan, and the gaffer agrees, that would be better for me. Then I can come back and show the manager I'm ready to play for Hearts."[16] He stayed at Hearts and in all he made 7 appearances in his debut season,[21] going on to sign a new three-year contract extending his stay until 2012.[22]

Return to Heart of Midlothian
MacDonald playing for Heart of Midlothian in 2011

He made his European debut on 25 August 2011 against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, conceding a penalty when he felled Harry Kane inside the box.[23] He saved the resulting penalty; the first competitive penalty save of his career.[24] On 27 January 2012 MacDonald signed a new two-year contract extending his stay until 2014,[25] with the club having an option to extend for a further year.[26] In late January with Kello excluded from the squad due to a contract dispute with his contract set to expire,[27] MacDonald began an extended run in the side. He would help the club reach the Scottish Cup final; in the quarter-final replay he saved a Graham Carey penalty as his side defeated St Mirren 2–0,[28] then in the final MacDonald started in goal as Hearts defeated Edinburgh rivals Hibernian 5–1.[29]

The 2012–13 season saw MacDonald play in both legs of Hearts Europa League play-off round matches against Liverpool, including playing in the first leg just 24 hours after becoming a father for the first time.[30] However, Hearts were eliminated from the Europa League after losing 2–1 on aggregate.[31] In a 1–0 loss against Celtic on 7 October 2012, MacDonald was stretchered off after colliding with Charlie Mulgrew. After the match, Manager John McGlynn said he was fine by half-time and was making a recovery despite having been unconscious.[32] MacDonald helped the club reach the Scottish League Cup final after beating Inverness CT in the semi-final, winning 5–4 in a penalty shootout following a 1–1 draw.[33] Hearts went on to lose to St Mirren 3–2 in the final.[34] MacDonald was ever present at the club in the 2012–13 season.

The 2013–14 season would be the darkest time for MacDonald, as Hearts entered administration and were deducted 15 points ahead of the new season. As a result of entering administration, MacDonald took a pay-cut in an effort to help the club survive its administration battle.[35][36] At the end of the season, McDonald was awarded the Fans' Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year Award, although the club was relegated.[37] Despite his good personal performances, MacDonald was released by Hearts at the end of the season.[38][39]

Falkirk

After leaving Hearts, MacDonald was linked with clubs in Scotland, England, the United States and Sweden.[40][41] He signed a one-year contract with Falkirk in July 2014.[42]

MacDonald established himself as the number one keeper at Falkirk, and started every single league game of the 2014–15 Scottish Championship campaign. He played 47 matches in all competitions for The Bairns, as they finished fifth in the league table, just outside the play-off positions. This meant he also played every minute in Falkirk's run to the 2015 Scottish Cup Final, and was awarded the man of the match award in the 1–0 semi-final win against Hibernian after a stunning display.[43] Falkirk lost 2–1 to Inverness Caledonian Thistle in the final on 30 May 2015. MacDonald was at fault for the winning goal, as he failed to secure a weak shot.[44] His contract with Falkirk expired at the end of the season and he rejected an offer of a new deal.[45]

Kilmarnock

MacDonald signed for Premiership side Kilmarnock on a three-year contract on 22 June 2015. But in May 2020, he was released at the end of his contract.[45]

Alloa Athletic (loan)

On 13 September 2019, MacDonald joined Championship club Alloa Athletic on an emergency loan, following an injury to first choice goalkeeper Neil Parry.[46]

Raith Rovers

On 16 July 2020, MacDonald signed for Raith Rovers on a two-year deal. [47]

Greenock Morton

On 3 August 2023, MacDonald signed for Greenock Morton, on a deal which would expire in the summer of 2024. [48]

International career

MacDonald made his Scotland under-21 debut on 21 August 2007 against the Czech Republic in an International Challenge Match.[49] In all he made ten appearances for the team between 2007 and 2008.[50]

MacDonald was added to the full Scotland squad for the first time in November 2018.[51]

Career statistics
As of 14 February 2022[52]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League Scottish Cup League Cup Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Heart of Midlothian 2006–07[53] Scottish Premier League 0000000000
2007–08[54] 000000—00
2008–09[55] 700000—70
2009–10[56] 9000000090
2010–11[57] 701000—80
2011–12[58] 18070001[lower-alpha 1]0260
2012–13[59] 38010402[lower-alpha 1]0450
2013–14[60] Scottish Premiership 3701030—410
Total 116010070301360
Queen of the South (loan) 2006–07[53] Scottish First Division 140200000160
2007–08[54] 340600000400
Total 480800000560
Falkirk 2014–15[61] Scottish Championship 36050303[lower-alpha 2]0470
Kilmarnock 2015–16[62] Scottish Premiership 37030102[lower-alpha 3]0430
2016–17[63] 2400020—260
2017–18[64] 3503050—430
2018–19[65] 1302040–190
2019–20[66] 0000002[lower-alpha 1]020
Total 109080120401330
Alloa Athletic (loan) 2019–20[66] Scottish Championship 18020001[lower-alpha 2]0210
Raith Rovers 2020-21 Scottish Championship 260202040340
2021-22 Scottish Championship 250306020360
Total 510508060700
Career total 37803803001704630
  1. Appearances in the Europa League
  2. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
  3. Appearances in the Premiership play-offs

Honours

Queen of the South

Heart of Midlothian

Falkirk

Raith Rovers

References
  1. "J. MacDonald: Summary". Soccerway. Perform Group. Retrieved 15 July 2023.
  2. Jamie MacDonald: Hearts can thrive as Scottish Cup underdogs but I just wanted 2012 final to end, Barry Anderson, Edinburgh Evening News, 16 May 2019
  3. "Jamie signs new deal". Heart of Midlothian FC. 27 January 2012. Archived from the original on 31 January 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  4. "Jamie MacDonald aiming to be No.1 for Hearts". The Scotsman. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  5. Tynecastle Trio head out on loan, BBC Sport website, 26 January 2007
  6. "Queen of South 4–3 Partick". ESPN. 27 January 2007. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  7. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  8. "2006/07 Season Review". Queen of the South archive. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  9. "Loan stars". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 10 July 2007. Archived from the original on 1 August 2012. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  10. "Queen of the South 3 – 3 St Johnstone". ESPN. 4 August 2007. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  11. "Club History". Queen of the South F.C. Archived from the original on 13 September 2009.
  12. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  13. "Queen of the South 2–3 Rangers". BBC. 24 May 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  14. "Queens keeper Jamie MacDonald: Beasley only beat me because he fluffed his shot". Daily Record. 26 May 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  15. Rangers exhausted after Scottish Cup final win The Daily Telegraph, 26 May 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2008
  16. "Football & Soccer News, Transfers, Rumours, Video & more - Tribal Football".
  17. "Elgin City want keeper Malin for second loan spell". The press and Journal. 4 December 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  18. Playing for keeps Archived 15 September 2008 at the Wayback Machine Heartsfc.co.uk, 8 August 2008. Retrieved 18 August 2008
  19. "Rangers 2–0 Hearts". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 August 2008. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  20. Rangers 2–0 Hearts Archived 12 December 2008 at the Wayback Machine Heartsfc.co.uk, 16 August 2008. Retrieved 19 August 2008
  21. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  22. "New deal for Jamie". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 1 April 2009. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2012.
  23. "Tottenham 0 – 0 Hearts". BBC Sport. BBC. 25 August 2011. Retrieved 3 February 2012.
  24. "the national team are alive and kicking, says Hearts boss Paulo Sergio". Daily Record. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  25. "Jamie signs new deal". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 27 January 2012. Archived from the original on 31 January 2012. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
  26. "Jamie MacDonald aiming to be No.1 for Hearts". The Scotsman. 28 January 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  27. "Jamie MacDonald poised to be top dog for Hearts". The Scotsman. 7 February 2012. Retrieved 20 February 2012.
  28. "St Mirren 0-2 Hearts". BBC. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  29. "2012 Scottish Cup Final: Heart of Midlothian 5 - 1 Hibernian". BBC Sport. 19 May 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  30. "Jamie MacDonald can be No.1 for years says John McGlynn". The Scotsman. 27 August 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  31. Lamont, Alasdair (30 August 2012). "Liverpool 1-1 Hearts". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  32. "Hearts boss John McGlynn allayed fears over Jamie MacDonald after the keeper suffered a head injury during the 1-0 defeat by Celtic". Sky Sports. 7 October 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  33. "Inverness CT 1-1 Hearts (4-5 pens)". BBC Sport. 26 January 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  34. "St Mirren lifted their first major silverware in more than a quarter of a century". BBC Sport. BBC. 17 March 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  35. "SPL: Two Hearts players agree to take a pay cut at the troubled club". Sky Sports. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  36. "Jamie MacDonald tells of mad times under Romanov". The Scotsman. 27 June 2013. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  37. "The winners are in!". Heart of Midlothian F.C. 5 May 2014. Archived from the original on 5 May 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  38. Hearts: Jamie Hamill unhappy as player trio exit Tynecastle, BBC Sport
  39. "Jamie MacDonald devastated as Hearts career ends". Edinburgh Evening News. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  40. "Three clubs make move for Jamie MacDonald". Edinburgh Evening News. 25 June 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  41. "Freed Hearts keeper Jamie MacDonald is on wanted lists". Edinburgh Evening News. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014.
  42. "Falkirk: Jamie MacDonald one of five new arrivals". BBC Sport. BBC. 3 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  43. "Hibernian 0-1 Falkirk". BBC Sport.
  44. Lamont, Alasdair (30 May 2015). "Inverness CT 2–1 Falkirk". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 22 June 2015. Inverness broke from defence and MacDonald, Falkirk's semi-final hero, failed to hold a tame Watkins shot, leaving Englishman Vincent a simple tap-in.
  45. "Kilmarnock sign Jamie MacDonald as the goalkeeper exits Falkirk". BBC Sport. BBC. 22 June 2015. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  46. McDougall, Mark (13 September 2019). "Jamie MacDonald leaves Kilmarnock as former Hearts goalkeeper joins Alloa on loan". Daily Record. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  47. "Jamie MacDonald". Raith Rovers F.C. 16 July 2020. Retrieved 16 July 2020.
  48. Reid, Gareth (3 August 2023). "Jamie MacDonald signs until 2024". Greenock Morton FC. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  49. "Scotland U21 1–0 Czech Rep U21". BBC Sport. 21 August 2007. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  50. "Jamie MacDonald – U21 Squad". scottishfa.co.uk. Scottish Football Association. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  51. "Albania v Scotland: Jamie MacDonald replaces Jon McLaughlin in squad". BBC Sport. 9 November 2018. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  52. Jamie MacDonald at Soccerway. Retrieved 26 January 2012.
  53. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  54. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  55. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  56. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  57. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  58. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  59. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  60. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2013/2014". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  61. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  62. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  63. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  64. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 14 November 2017.
  65. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 15 July 2018.
  66. "Games played by Jamie MacDonald in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 12 July 2019.
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