Ryan McKay programme article
Posted : 5th September 2023
Young left-back Ryan McKay is hoping to break through and make his mark in the starting eleven of the first team this season, as he rues an unfortunate injury which ended his season early last term, back in February, just weeks after arriving from Championship side Dundela.
“I’ve loved it at Linfield so far. I came in during the January window but because I got a bad injury against Carrick Rangers in my first start, it was hard to get going last season. I started that game well but it was just an unfortunate injury with a bad landing, but these things happen and you have to bounce back. I came back and got a good pre-season under me which was important. Now it’s just a case of continuing to work hard to achieve my goal of breaking into the side. Most importantly though, is that the team can keep winning and ultimately be successful.
“It’s a big squad we have at the minute, so it’s hard to get into the matchday squad, let alone the starting eleven – but that’s how it should be at a club like Linfield. When I agreed to sign for Linfield, I was fully aware that it would be tough to get into the team. The starting eleven hasn’t changed a great deal so far this season and that’s because everybody has been playing well. I have to bide my time and hopefully, take my chance when it comes.”
At just eighteen years of age, time is on Ryan's side and he’s only going to get better. McKay – who initially signed as an Amateur before signing a Professional contract this summer - believes that he’s in a brilliant place to develop, having seen Linfield produce several players who have gone on to play in the English Football League in the last number of years.
“Everybody around the Club has been brilliant, especially in helping me get back from the injury and I’m hoping I can fully get going and showing some form out on the pitch this season. Any player who signs for Linfield will tell you they’re coming here to try and be successful; I am no different. That’s the aim – to win trophies.
“The Full-Time training aspect has been a big step-up from what I was doing before but that’s something I have relished since I have been here and I feel it is helping my development as a player. I am eager to develop as much as possible, and it’s the best place to do that, with the staff, teammates and facilities I have here. Getting up every morning and doing what you love is brilliant and we are very fortunate to be able to do that.”
Looking ahead to tonight’s match, McKay naturally hopes to be involved. It’s a competition that will hold good memories for him, as it was in the Shield that he made his first start under Niall Currie for Dundela against Carrick Rangers, aged just 16 back in 2021 and from then until his transfer to Linfield in January 2023, he was a regular for the Duns.
“I think the County Antrim Shield is a brilliant competition to go and play in. It’s a competition that has good memories for me at Dundela. I hope we can go far in it – we will want to win it, just like the other competitions we enter. If you win the Shield, it sets you up well for the remainder of the season. Larne will be a tough opponent, whether they make changes or not, but being at home we want to give our fans something to cheer. You always want to play, so obviously I’d love to be involved but whoever gets the nod, will have to perform.”
Everybody associated with Linfield FC will took forward to watching Ryan hopefully fulfil his undoubted potential, which will hopefully lead to a successful career at Windsor Park.