Ex Rangers academy graduate looks to revive career at SPFL club after sealing free transfer
The winger played a key role in Rangers' journey back to the top flight and will now look to make his mark with Accies
Barrie McKay has secured a return to Scottish football after agreeing a short-term deal with Hamilton Academical, giving the former Rangers winger an opportunity to get his career back on track.
The 31-year-old winger has joined the SPFL League One outfit following his departure from Livingston at the end of last season, bringing an end to another spell as a free agent. Hamilton will hope the experienced attacker can make an immediate impact at New Douglas Park and boost their promotion push.
McKay is a familiar name to Rangers supporters and one that brings back memories of a particularly important period in the club's recent history. Having progressed through the Ibrox youth ranks, the wide man made his senior debut in 2012 and went on to become an important member of the Rangers side during their journey back through the divisions following the club's financial collapse.
A technically gifted winger, McKay was one of the more exciting attacking talents to emerge from the Rangers academy during that period. His ability to take on defenders and provide a spark in the final third made him a popular figure among the Ibrox support.
He made around 140 appearances for Rangers before departing for Nottingham Forest in 2017, having played his part in the club's return to the Scottish Premiership. His performances in Glasgow also earned him international recognition, with McKay receiving a Scotland call-up in 2016 and making his debut in a friendly against France.
A move to English football followed, with spells at Forest, Swansea City and Fleetwood Town before he returned north of the border to join Hearts in 2021. McKay spent four seasons at Tynecastle, making 89 league appearances for the Tynecastle side. However, following his departure from the Jambos in 2025, opportunities have proved difficult to come by.
He eventually joined Livingston in February this year, signing a deal until the end of the campaign. Despite making seven appearances for the West Lothian side, McKay was unable to establish himself as a regular fixture before moving on again.
Now Hamilton have offered him another chance to reignite his career. At 31, there should still be plenty left in the tank, although the immediate priority will be building match fitness and finding consistency after a difficult period.
There is also an opportunity for McKay to remind Scottish football of the qualities that made him such an exciting prospect at Rangers. The short-term nature of the deal gives both parties an opportunity to assess how things develop, but a successful stint could open the door to something more permanent.
*The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly