Ray McKinnon (footballer)

Playing career

McKinnon was born in Dundee on 5 August 1970. He started his career with Dundee United, turning professional on 12 August 1986. He soon gained attention as one of the most promising young midfielders in Scottish football. He impressed Brian Clough enough to win a £750,000 move to Nottingham Forest in July 1992, but almost as quickly as he had arrived found himself out of first team contention, Clough deciding that his skilful passing was not what he wanted for his midfield. He left to join Aberdeen on 8 February 1994, costing the Dons £300,000.

He returned to Dundee United on 3 November 1995, for a fee of £200,000, where he famously scored a hat-trick of free-kicks in a 3–2 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in February 1997. He remained at Tannadice Park until being released at the end of the 1997–98 season during which he had struggled to gain a first team place. In the close-season he attracted interest from Crystal Palace, as well as French sides Auxerre and Bordeaux, but after initially being on trial, joined Luton Town on 6 August. He left to join Livingston on 12 September 1999, and after an injury hit season and a trial with Wolverhampton Wanderers under Colin Lee, joined Raith Rovers on a short-term contract on 28 July 2000.

Raith were unable to meet his wage demands, so he left and began training with Ayr United. He joined Portadown in October 2000, playing one game. In need of first team football to regain his match fitness he joined Stirling Albion on trial on 27 October, playing in the match against Queen's Park at Hampden Park. He joined East Fife, originally as a triallist on 17 November, leaving on 25 January.

On 15 March 2001 he joined Torquay United on non-contract terms, but left just five days later without appearing in the first team after the re-emergence of a groin injury. He returned to Torquay as a triallist on 30 July 2001, but along with most of the many players Roy McFarland considered during the round of pre-season friendlies was released without earning a contract.

In November 2001 he joined Montrose as a triallist, making his debut in the 1–1 draw with Stirling Albion at Forthbank on 10 November and scoring two weeks later in the 2–1 win over East Fife. Although linked with a return to England to have another attempt at breaking back into full-time football, he signed a deal to stay with Montrose until the end of the season in December 2001. He remained with Montrose until joining Raith Rovers for a second time in January 2003.

Coaching career

McKinnon moved to Lochee United in 2004, before leaving in July 2005 to take up a player/coach position with Broughty Athletic. McKinnon returned as Lochee manager in 2006.

He was linked with the managerial posts at both Brechin City and Montrose in December 2008, with Lochee stating their desire that he stay until at least the end of their run in the Scottish FA Cup.

On 16 July, McKinnon was appointed the new Technical Development Officer with the Scottish Football Association. He replaced Mark McNally, who became assistant manager at Scottish First Division club Morton.

McKinnon was appointed manager of Scottish Second Division club Brechin City on 9 October 2012.

On 23 May 2015, it was confirmed that McKinnon had been appointed manager of Raith Rovers. McKinnon guided Raith to fourth place in the 2015–16 Scottish Championship, qualifying for the promotion playoffs. He resigned on 11 May, after entering discussions with Dundee United about their managerial vacancy. On the following day, Dundee United announced that they had appointed McKinnon as their manager on a three-year contract.

Managerial

Managerial Honours

Personal life

McKinnon opened a restaurant in Dundee in 2004.