Jamie MacDonald (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Jamie MacDonald is a professional football player currently playing for Heart of Midlothian
. MacDonald, a goalkeeper, signed for Hearts in June 2002 from their youth side.
club's U21 team. In January 2007, like Robbie Neilson
before him, MacDonald joined Dumfries
club Queen of the South
on loan to gain further competitive experience and this loan was renewed for the 2007–08 season
.
Jamie MacDonald established himself as The Doonhamers
' first choice keeper and was an integral part of the team on their run to their first ever Scottish Cup
Final. With MacDonald in goals 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.
Jamie MacDonald's final game for Queen of the South
came in the Final
which ended in a 3–2 defeat to Rangers
. Since the Gers had already qualified for the Champions League
the runners-up earned the consolation of a place in next season's UEFA Cup
.
As well as the cup exploits MacDonald and Queens finished the league season in fourth place in the second tier of Scottish football.
On his return to Hearts, Jamie 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."
Hearts' Craig Sives
said of his proposed loan move to Queens, "When a move was first mentioned Robbie Neilson and, in particular, Jamie MacDonald told me to 'go for it' and both spoke very highly of their times down there."
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
.
His competitive debut for Hearts
came against the same team he played his last game for Queen of the South
against, Rangers
, on 16 August 2008 at Ibrox
. MacDonald had been selected to play following the announcement that former first choice keeper Steve 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 scored twice against MacDonald in the 2008 Scottish Cup Final
.
Manager Csaba Laszlo
said that he was happy with MacDonald's performance against Rangers
but dropped MacDonald 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."
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
. MacDonald, a goalkeeper, signed for Hearts in June 2002 from their youth side.
Queen of the South
Jamie MacDonald had yet to play for the Hearts senior side but featured regularly for the TynecastleTynecastle Stadium
Tynecastle Stadium is a football stadium situated in the Gorgie area of Edinburgh, Scotland, which is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Hearts. Tynecastle has a seating capacity of 17,420, which makes it the seventh largest football stadium in Scotland...
club's U21 team. In January 2007, like Robbie Neilson
Robbie Neilson
Robbie Neilson is a Scottish internationalist professional association footballer who plays as a right back or centre back. He is currently contracted to Dundee United until the end of the 2010-11 season. Neilson started his league career with Heart of Midlothian, for whom he made 200 Scottish...
before him, MacDonald joined Dumfries
Dumfries
Dumfries is a market town and former royal burgh within the Dumfries and Galloway council area of Scotland. It is near the mouth of the River Nith into the Solway Firth. Dumfries was the county town of the former county of Dumfriesshire. Dumfries is nicknamed Queen of the South...
club Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
on loan to gain further competitive experience and this loan was renewed for the 2007–08 season
2007-08 in Scottish football
The 2007-08 season was the 111th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Overview:* Gretna were competing in the Scottish Premier League for the first time, their first ever season in the top-flight, after being promoted as First Division champions the previous season.* Dunfermline Athletic...
.
Jamie MacDonald established himself as The Doonhamers
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
' first choice keeper and was an integral part of the team on their run to their first ever Scottish Cup
Scottish Cup
The Scottish Football Association Challenge Cup,, commonly known as the Scottish Cup or the William Hill Scottish Cup for sponsorship purposes, is the main national cup competition in Scottish football. It is a knockout cup competition run by and named after the Scottish Football Association.The...
Final. With MacDonald in goals 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
Dundee F.C.
Dundee Football Club, founded in 1893, are a football club based in the city of Dundee, Scotland. They are nicknamed The Dee or The Dark Blues and play their home matches at Dens Park. Their shirt colour is dark blue. Dundee currently play in the Scottish First Division, having been relegated from...
produced a record breaking 84 yard winner from Ryan McCann
Ryan McCann
Ryan McCann is a Scottish professional association footballer who plays in either midfield or at right back and who is currently at Stockport County...
. The semi final 4–3 victory against Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
produced another record; the highest scoring Scottish Cup semi final in history.
Jamie MacDonald's final game for Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
came in the Final
2008 Scottish Cup Final
The 2008 Scottish Cup Final was a football match which took place at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 24 May 2008. The match was the final of the 123rd Scottish Cup and was contested by Queen of the South and Rangers. Queen of the South beat Aberdeen 4–3 in their semi-final, Rangers beat St...
which ended in a 3–2 defeat to Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
. Since the Gers had already qualified for the Champions League
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
the runners-up earned the consolation of a place in next season's UEFA Cup
UEFA Cup
The UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
.
As well as the cup exploits MacDonald and Queens finished the league season in fourth place in the second tier of Scottish football.
On his return to Hearts, Jamie 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."
Hearts' Craig Sives
Craig Sives
Craig Stuart Sives is a Scottish professional association football player who currently plays for Shamrock Rovers in the League of Ireland.-Career:...
said of his proposed loan move to Queens, "When a move was first mentioned Robbie Neilson and, in particular, Jamie MacDonald told me to 'go for it' and both spoke very highly of their times down there."
Return to Hearts
MacDonald returned to HeartsHeart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
for the 2008–09 season and, after playing regularly during pre-season fixtures, new manager Csaba Laszlo
Csaba László
Csaba László is a Romanian born Hungarian football manager and former player. He is the manager of Belgian Pro League club Charleroi SC. He is former manager of Scottish Premier League club...
stated his intent to use him as back-up to first choice keeper Steve Banks
Steve Banks
Steven "Steve" Banks is an English footballer playing as goalkeeper and is also goalkeeping coach for Scottish Premier League club Dundee United.-Early career:...
.
His competitive debut for Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
came against the same team he played his last game for Queen of the South
Queen of the South F.C.
Queen of the South Football Club is a Scottish professional football club founded in 1919 and located in Dumfries. The club currently plays in the Scottish First Division, the second tier of Scottish football. They are officially nicknamed The Doonhamers, but usually referred to as Queens or QoS...
against, Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
, on 16 August 2008 at Ibrox
Ibrox Stadium
Ibrox Stadium is a football stadium located on the south side of the River Clyde, on Edmiston Drive in the Ibrox district of Glasgow. It is the home ground of Scottish Premier League club Rangers and has an all-seated capacity of 51,082...
. MacDonald had been selected to play following the announcement that former first choice keeper Steve Banks
Steve Banks
Steven "Steve" Banks is an English footballer playing as goalkeeper and is also goalkeeping coach for Scottish Premier League club Dundee United.-Early career:...
had taken up a coaching only role, having previously had a player-coach role. Hearts
Heart of Midlothian F.C.
Heart of Midlothian Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Gorgie, in the west of Edinburgh. They currently play in the Scottish Premier League and are one of the two principal clubs in the city, the other being Hibernian...
lost the game 2–0, the second goal a last minute penalty from Kris Boyd
Kris Boyd
Kris Boyd is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays as a striker for Turkish side Eskişehirspor.Boyd grew up in the Ayrshire village of Tarbolton and started his senior career with Kilmarnock. He transferred to Rangers in January 2006, and was Rangers' top goalscorer in each of his...
, who scored twice against MacDonald in the 2008 Scottish Cup Final
2008 Scottish Cup Final
The 2008 Scottish Cup Final was a football match which took place at Hampden Park in Glasgow on 24 May 2008. The match was the final of the 123rd Scottish Cup and was contested by Queen of the South and Rangers. Queen of the South beat Aberdeen 4–3 in their semi-final, Rangers beat St...
.
Manager Csaba Laszlo
Csaba László
Csaba László is a Romanian born Hungarian football manager and former player. He is the manager of Belgian Pro League club Charleroi SC. He is former manager of Scottish Premier League club...
said that he was happy with MacDonald's performance against Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
but dropped MacDonald in favour of Slovakian loan signing Marian Kello
Marián Kello
Marián Kello is a professional football goalkeeper who is currently playing for Heart of Midlothian in the Scottish Premier League.-Club career:...
. 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."
External links
- Transfermarkt Profile
- Profile at londonhearts.com