Gary MacKenzie

Gary MacKenzie

Personal information
Full name	Gary MacKenzie[1]
Date of birth	(1985-10-15) 15 October 1985 (age 39)
Place of birth	Lanark, Scotland
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2004–2006	Rangers	2	(0)
2006–2010	Dundee	97	(2)
2010–2013	Milton Keynes Dons	63	(3)
2013	→ Blackpool (loan)	12	(2)
2013–2015	Blackpool	35	(1)
2015	→ Bradford City (loan)	12	(1)
2015–2016	Doncaster Rovers	12	(0)
2016	→ Notts County (loan)	4	(0)
2016–2020	St Mirren	58	(6)
2020–2021	Peterhead	6	(0)
Total		301	(15)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 22 December 2020 (UTC)

Gary MacKenzie (born 15 October 1985) is a Scottish retired professional footballer who played as a defender. He was called up to the Scotland national side in 2011 and 2012, but has not played in a full international match.

Career

MacKenzie started his career as a youth player at Rangers. He made two appearances for the first team (at the end of the 2003–04 season), against Motherwell and Dunfermline, respectively.

Dundee

He joined Dundee on a free transfer in June 2006 under the management of Alex Rae and signed a two-year contract.^[2] He made his debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 1–0 loss against Partick Thistle. Later in the season, MacKenzie would be often used in first team ins and out in his first season.

In 2007–08 season, MacKenzie playing time would increase, making 33 appearances. He scored his first goal, in a 3–0 win over Stirling Albion, with a header on 12 April 2008.^[3] The 2008–09 season was overshadowed for MacKenzie as he suffered injuries, like toe and many more.^[4] In addition, MacKenzie have discipline issue, earning two red cards against Ross County on 28 March 2009^[5] and Livingston on 28 April 2009.;^[6] which MacKenzie made 19 appearances.

In 2009–10 season, MacKenzie had average season with the club, making 25 appearances. He scored his second goal in his Dundee career, in a 2–1 win over Raith Rovers on 24 October 2009.^[7] However, several days later, in the quarter final of Scottish League Cup, MacKenzie scored an own-goal against his former club, Rangers.^[8]

He was released by the club on 4 May 2010 along with eight other players.^[9]

Milton Keynes Dons

MacKenzie signed for English League One side Milton Keynes Dons on 14 May 2010,^[10] having signed a pre-contract deal two months earlier in March.^[11]

MacKenzie missed nine fixtures, due to injuries and made his debut for the club, on 21 September 2010, in the third round of League Cup, in a 3–1 loss against Birmingham City after coming on as a half-time substitute.^[12] Four days later, he made his league debut, in a 2–1 loss against Peterborough United. On 30 October 2010, MacKenzie received a straight red card after a professional foul, as MK Dons lost 4–2 against Tranmere Rovers.^[13] Then on 5 February 2011, MacKenzie sent off again after a second bookable offence, in a 2–2 draw against Sheffield Wednesday. He scored the winning goal against local rivals Peterborough on 21 March 2011. He scored his second goal in three games for the Dons with a header away to play-off rivals Southampton.

In 2011–12 season, MacKenzie made twenty-appearance, but soon would be often used in first team ins and out. On 17 September 2011, he made assist Dean Lewington before being sent-off for stamping on Alan Lee, in a 1–1 draw against Huddersfield Town.^[14] After the match, Manager Karl Robinson criticise MacKenzie as "disgrace", believing he deserved to be punished.^[15] In the first match of 2012, MacKenzie scored his first 2012-goal, in a 1–0 win over Colchester United,^[16] but his goal against Colchester United was later recorded as an own goal by the Football League, eight days later.^[17] Several weeks later on 24 January 2012, he scored an own-goal, in a 4–2 loss against Stevenage; then scored another own-goal, in the next game, in a 1–1 draw against Sheffield Wednesday. On 14 February 2012, MacKenzie, once again, sent-off for giving away the penalty and then head-butted Yann Kermorgant. After the match, Robinson was disappointed with his action, though he was sarcastically proud of him "in a weird way for coming out and accepting his punishment."^[18] MacKenzine, himself, apologised to teammates and my manager and the fans and regretted his action, something that it's wrong.^[19] After serving his four match ban, MacKenzie was since left out of the first team squad throughout March. He made his return on 7 April 2012, in a 1–1 draw against Preston North End.

In 2012–13 season was overshadowed for MacKenzie when he underwent hip surgery, which ruled him out for three months.^[20] In late-December, he made a return on the bench, in a 3–2 loss against Coventry City.^[21] After making two appearances since his return, MacKenzie soon suffered a knock in a FA Cup fourth match against Queens Park Rangers after playing 20 minutes in the first half, which Milton Keynes Dons won 1–0 to send the club through the next round.^[22] After missing two games, MacKenzie made his return from injury.^[23] At the end of the 2012–13 season, the club activate it options to keep MacKenzie^[24] and was signed on 16 May 2013.^[25]

Blackpool

On 1 March 2013, MacKenzie signed on loan for Blackpool until the end of the season. The day after signing for the club, MacKenzie made his debut in a goalless draw with Bristol City. On 5 July 2013, MacKenzie signed for Blackpool on a permanent deal for an undisclosed fee.^[26]

Doncaster Rovers

On 29 June 2015 MacKenzie signed for Doncaster Rovers on a free transfer.^[27] On 1 February 2016 MacKenzie joined Notts County on a one-month loan.^[28] He made his début in 2–1 defeat to York City. He made 4 appearances before returning to Doncaster Rovers at the end of his loan spell.

St Mirren

MacKenzie joined Scottish Championship side St Mirren in June 2016, signing a one-year contract with the club.^[29] After establishing himself as a first team regular and scoring 5 goals, MacKenzie agreed a one-year contract extension with the club in May 2017.^[30]

Despite suffering from injuries MacKenzie was able to play 18 times for Saints and helped them lift the 2017–18 Scottish Championship title, which lead to him signing a further one-year contract extension in May 2018.^[31]

Injury once again led to MacKenzie missing a large part of the following season, after he had to undergo surgery in August 2018.^[32] He finally returned to playing in March 2019, and managed to play seven matches to help Saints avoid relegation from the Scottish Premiership. He signed a further one-year contract extension in June 2019.^[33]

In June 2020, MacKenzie left Saints when his contract expired.^[34]

Peterhead

MacKenzie joined Peterhead in the summer of 2020, and made seven appearances for the Blue Toon before retiring in March 2021.^[35]

International career

MacKenzie was selected for Scotland squads in November 2011 and September 2012.^[36]

Career statistics

As of match played 4 December 2019

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

club	Season	League			National Cup		League Cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Rangers	2003–04[37]	Scottish Premier League	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0
Dundee	2006–07[38]	First Division	21	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	24	0
	2007–08[39]		32	1	1	0	2	0	1[a]	0	36	1
	2008–09[40]		19	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	20	0
	2009–10[41]		25	1	2	0	2	0	1[a]	0	30	1
	Dundee total		97	2	5	0	6	0	2	0	110	2
MK Dons	2010–11[42]	League One	26	2	1	0	1	0	2[b]	0	30	2
	2011–12[43]		26	1	2	0	2	0	2[b]	0	32	1
	2012–13[44]		11	0	4	0	2	0	0	0	17	0
	MK Dons total		63	3	7	0	5	0	4	0	79	3
Blackpool (loan)	2012–13[44]	Championship	12	2	—		—		—		12	2
Blackpool	2013–14[45]	Championship	35	1	1	0	1	0	—		37	1
Bradford City (loan)	2014–15[45]	League One	12	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	12	1
Doncaster Rovers	2015–16[46]	League One	15	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	16	0
Notts County (loan)	2015–16[46]	League Two	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
St Mirren	2016–17[47]	Scottish Championship	29	5	4	0	0	0	4[a]	0	37	5
	2017–18[48]		14	1	0	0	4	0	0	0	18	1
	2018–19[49]	Scottish Premiership	5	0	0	0	0	0	2[c]	0	7	0
	2019–20[50]		10	0	0	0	2	0	0	0	12	0
	St Mirren total		58	6	4	0	6	0	6	0	74	6
Peterhead	2020–21[51]	Scottish League One	6	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	7	0
Career total			297	15	18	0	18	0	12	0	345	15

1. Appearances in the Scottish Challenge Cup
2. Appearances in the League One play-offs
3. Two appearances in the Scottish Premiership play-offs

Honours

Dundee

• Scottish Challenge Cup: 2009–10^[52]

References

1. "Professional retain list & free transfers 2012/13" (PDF). The Football League. 18 May 2013. p. 38. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 July 2013. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
2. "Griffin & MacKenzie sign at Dens". BBC Sport. 13 June 2006. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
3. "Dundee 3–0 Stirling Albion". BBC Sport. 12 April 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
4. "Dundee hit by injury crisis". Daily Record. 29 September 2008. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
5. "Ross County 1–1 Dundee". BBC Sport. 28 March 2009. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
6. "Livingston 0–1 Dundee". BBC Sport. 28 April 2009. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
7. "Dundee 2-1 Raith Rovers". 24 October 2009.
8. "Dundee 1-3 Rangers". 27 October 2009.
9. "Dundee aim to axe 16 from squad". BBC Sport. 4 May 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
10. "Dons bring in Mackenzie". Sky Sports. 14 May 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
11. "MacKenzie off to MK". Sky Sports. 11 March 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
12. "MacKenzie buoyed by debut". Sky Sports. 23 September 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
13. "Tranmere Rovers 4 – 2 Milton Keynes Dons". BBC Sport. 30 October 2010. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
14. "Milton Keynes Dons 1 – 1 Huddersfield Town". BBC Sport. 17 September 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
15. "MK Dons boss brands MacKenzie flashpoint a 'disgrace'". BBC Sport. 19 September 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
16. "Milton Keynes Dons 1–0 Colchester United". BBC Sport. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
17. "Dons winner deemed own goal". Sky Sports. 10 January 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
18. "Boss: MacKenzie will learn". Sky Sports. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
19. "Mackenzie regrets seeing red". Sky Sports. 15 February 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
20. "Mackenzie faces lengthy lay-off". Sky Sports. 10 October 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
21. "Dons close in on Ryan Harley signing". Milton Keynes Citizen. 29 December 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
22. "Yeovil v MK Dons preview". Sky Sports. 29 January 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
23. "Triple injury boost for Dons". Sky Sports. 5 February 2013. Archived from the original on 11 April 2015. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
24. "Dons move to keep Bowditch and Williams". Milton Keynes Citizen. 3 May 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
25. "Doumbe leaves MK Dons". Milton Keynes Citizen. 16 May 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
26. "Defender Back with the Seasiders". Blackpool F.C. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 5 July 2013.
27. "Doncaster sign defender MacKenzie". BBC Sport.
28. "Gary MacKenzie joins Notts County from Doncaster on loan". BBC Sport. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
29. "New Signing: Gary MacKenzie". St Mirren FC. 21 June 2016. Archived from the original on 25 June 2016. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
30. "St Mirren: Buddies sign Cammy Smith and agree new deal with Gary MacKenzie". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
31. "Gary MacKenzie agrees new deal". St Mirren FC. 9 May 2018. Archived from the original on 10 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
32. "Adam Eckersley and Gary MacKenzie to have operations". St Mirren FC. 22 August 2018. Retrieved 28 June 2019.
33. "Gary MacKenzie signs contract extension". stmirren.com. 26 June 2019. Archived from the original on 27 June 2019. Retrieved 27 June 2019.
34. "St Mirren: Captain McGinn and goalkeeper Hladky among 13 departures". BBC Sport. 2 June 2020. Retrieved 2 June 2020.
35. "Manager praises Gary after retirement announcement | Peterhead FC". Archived from the original on 14 March 2021. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
36. Harrow, Andy (6 September 2012). "Why maturing Gary MacKenzie can become a regular in Scotland squads". STV. STV Group. Archived from the original on 4 January 2014. Retrieved 16 September 2012.
37. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2003/2004". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
38. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2006/2007". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
39. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2007/2008". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
40. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2008/2009". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
41. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2009/2010". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
42. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2010/2011". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
43. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2011/2012". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
44. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2012/2013". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
45. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2014/2015". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
46. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2015/2016". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
47. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2016/2017". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
48. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2017/2018". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
49. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2018/2019". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
50. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2019/2020". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
51. "Games played by Gary MacKenzie in 2020/2021". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
52. "Dundee 3-2 Inverness CT". BBC. 22 November 2009. Retrieved 31 March 2021.

External links

• Gary MacKenzie at Soccerbase