Delight as Scotland winger Gary Mackay-Steven joins Hearts
'We believe he's a top four player in the Scottish Premier League and we're getting him in the Championship'
Last updated 9th Jan 2021
Hearts have completed the signing of Scotland winger Gary Mackay-Steven on a two-and-a-half year deal - subject to international clearance.
The former Celtic, Aberdeen and Dundee United man arrives at Tynecastle following a spell stateside with New York City.
The club's sporting director, Joe Savage, believes it's a huge coup for the club.
He told us: "We're so delighted that he's agreed to sign and to come to the club because we think he's a real good player. We believe that he's a top four player in the Scottish Premier League and we're getting him in the Championship in Scotland.
"We think that he'll come in and improve us as a squad. We wanted that type - a winger that can attack, that's good, that's quick, that can score goals. He was (manager Robbie Neilson's) first target.
"He's got a great pedigree - he's won the league with Celtic, he's played for Aberdeen, he's played for Dundee United; so he understands this league."
The 30-year-old came through Ross County’s youth system before spending two years at Liverpool. He returned north of the border to sign for Airdrie in January 2011 where his performances caught the eye of Dundee United, who snapped him up six months later.
Gary excelled at Tannadice where he played European football and helped the club to the 2014 Scottish Cup Final. His form during his stay on Tayside was rewarded with a first Scotland cap when he made his international debut against the US at Hampden.
Celtic came calling in February 2015 and it was at Celtic Park where Gary would start picking up medals. A three-time Scottish Premiership winner, he also lifted the 2016/17 Scottish League Cup.
A move to Aberdeen beckoned in July 2017 and he thrived at Pittodrie, playing regular European football, as the Dons finished Premiership runners-up in 2017/18 and reached the Scottish Cup Final the following year.
Gary would make his second Scotland appearance in November 2018, setting up Steven Naismith for the Scots’ only goal of the game in a 3-1 defeat to Portugal at Hampden.
It was time for a change of scenery come June 2019 and Gary made the move across the Atlantic to join New York City. His debut campaign ended with a first-placed finish in the Eastern Conference, and second in the overall table, though they would go on to lose in the MLS Cup Playoffs semi-final to Toronto FC.
The following season saw Gary make 25 appearances as New York City couldn’t build on the previous year’s success as they finished 5th in the league, and he departed the Bronx Stadium to make the switch to Tynecastle Park.