Gary Mackay-Steven, born in Thurso on 31 August 1990 (age 35), came through as a sharp left-sided attacker at Dundee United, where his best league season remains 2013–14: seven goals in 35 appearances. That form took him to Celtic in February 2015 for around £250,000.
His Celtic spell was useful rather than defining. Mackay-Steven had pace, directness and enough craft to unsettle full-backs, though he was never short of competition for a place. In July 2017 he left for Aberdeen in a deal worth around £150,000, a sensible move for a player needing regular football.
After Celtic, he built a varied career rather than a straight one. Aberdeen gave him a stronger run, before spells with New York City FC, Hearts, Kilmarnock, Ross County and Partick Thistle. It was not always smooth, but he kept finding clubs prepared to use his experience and width.
Now primarily a left winger for Partick Thistle, wearing squad number 16, he remains involved in the first-team picture in 2025–26. He has made 20 Championship appearances and three Premiership play-off appearances this season, 23 in all competitions, without scoring.
His current market value is around £43,000, according to Transfermarkt. Mackay-Steven’s career has taken him from Dundee United to Celtic, then through several senior clubs, with Partick Thistle the latest stage of a long Scottish career.
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