Billy McKinlay Player Profile

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Player Details

  • Full Name: William McKinlay
  • Born: April 22nd, 1969 (Robroyston, Glasgow)
  • Height: 5' 9
  • Position: Midfielder
  • Signed: June 21st, 1985
  • First Manager: Jim McLean
  • Career Totals: 284 appearances, 31 goals
  • Also Played For: Blackburn Rovers, Bradford City, Clydebank, Fulham, Leicester City


Playing History

Season Win % Draw % Loss %
1995-96 8 (1) 6 1 0 66.7% 0.0% 33.3%
1994-95 33 (1) 5 5 1 35.3% 26.5% 38.2%
1993-94 52 12 11 0 32.7% 42.3% 25.0%
1992-93 38 (1) 3 6 0 43.6% 23.1% 33.3%
1991-92 25 1 4 0 40.0% 40.0% 20.0%
1990-91 39 (8) 2 4 0 46.8% 19.1% 34.0%
1989-90 18 0 3 0 44.4% 22.2% 33.3%
1988-89 40 (1) 1 6 0 48.8% 34.1% 17.1%
1987-88 12 (2) 1 2 0 35.7% 21.4% 42.9%
1986-87 5 0 1 0 60.0% 20.0% 20.0%
1985-86 - - - - - - -
Totals: 270 (14) 31


 Apps = First Team Appearances (Sub Appearances) | Gls = Goals
 GtGR = Goals to Games Ratio | W/D/L - Games won, drawn or lost as percentage of games played in
 Yel = Yellow Cards/Cautions | Red = Red Cards/Dismissals

 Recent First Team Starts
 30/09/95 First Division vs. Dundee (A) 3 - 2
 23/09/95 First Division vs. Airdrie (H) 1 - 2
 16/09/95 First Division vs. Clydebank (A) 2 - 1
 12/09/95 2nd Round vs. Hamilton (H) 3 - 0
 09/09/95 First Division vs. St Mirren (H) 1 - 0

 Recent First Team Goals
 30/09/95 First Division vs. Dundee (A) 3 - 2
 16/09/95 First Division vs. Clydebank (A) 2 - 1
 23/08/95 1st Round vs. Stranraer (A) 2 - 0
 19/08/95 2nd Round vs. Cowdenbeath (A) 4 - 0
 07/02/95 3rd Round Replay vs. Clyde (A) 5 - 1

 List of Goals Scored (click to expand)
 30/09/95 First Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 2
 30/09/95 First Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 2
 30/09/95 First Division vs. Dundee (A)  3 - 2
 16/09/95 First Division vs. Clydebank (A)  2 - 1
 23/08/95 1st Round vs. Stranraer (A)  2 - 0
 19/08/95 2nd Round vs. Cowdenbeath (A)  4 - 0
 07/02/95 3rd Round Replay vs. Clyde (A)  5 - 1
 21/01/95 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  6 - 1
 21/01/95 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  6 - 1
 26/11/94 Premier Division vs. Falkirk (A)  3 - 1
 19/11/94 Premier Division vs. Hearts (H)  5 - 2
 16/04/94 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  3 - 0
 15/03/94 Quarter Final Rep. vs. Airdrie (H)  2 - 0
 29/01/94 3rd Round vs. Arbroath (A)  3 - 2
 13/11/93 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  2 - 2
 30/10/93 Premier Division vs. St Johnstone (H)  2 - 0
 05/10/93 Premier Division vs. Kilmarnock (A)  1 - 1
 28/09/93 1st Round 2nd Leg vs. Brøndby (H)  3 - 1
 18/09/93 Premier Division vs. Celtic (A)  1 - 1
 04/09/93 Premier Division vs. Raith Rovers (A)  1 - 1
 24/08/93 3rd Round vs. St Mirren (A)  1 - 0
 21/08/93 Premier Division vs. St Johnstone (A)  1 - 1
 07/08/93 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  1 - 1
 09/01/93 3rd Round vs. Meadowbank (H)  3 - 1
 12/12/92 Premier Division vs. Aberdeen (H)  2 - 2
 11/08/92 2nd Round vs. QOS (H)  6 - 0
 13/08/91 Premier Division vs. St Mirren (H)  4 - 1
 19/01/91 Premier Division vs. Motherwell (H)  3 - 0
 22/09/90 Premier Division vs. Rangers (H)  2 - 1
 10/12/88 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (H)  4 - 1
 28/10/87 Premier Division vs. Hibernian (A)  1 - 0

 List of Games Played
Sorry, there are too many games to display for this player.


Biography

Billy was a schoolboy international who joined United on an 'S' form in March 1984 whilst he was with Hamilton Thistle. Within eighteen months he had signed a professional contract, playing regularly in United’s reserves and was part of the Scotland Under-16 squad. An attacking midfielder, he made his debut aged 17 against Hibs at Tannadice in November 1986, and four days later impressed greatly in a UEFA Cup game against Hajduk Split - a match in United's famous run to the UEFA Cup final that season.

Having been a member of the Scotland youth squad, he progressed to Under-21 level during the 1987-88 season and received widespread praise having appeared in the Scottish Cup final against Celtic at Hampden, collecting a runners-up medal. Now a regular in the United starting eleven, Billy was voted the SPFA Young player of the year for the 1988-89 season.

With interest from Chelsea and Coventry City, the midfielder had a transfer request denied by the club, and manager Jim McLean dropped the talented youngster for a spell after a dip in form. However, he fought his way back into the first team, and became a Scotland B international in March 1990 with a substitute appearance against Yugoslavia at Fir Park. He was called up to Andy Roxburgh's Scotland squad for a European Championship qualifier against Switzerland in October 1990, but he would have to wait a bit longer for his international debut. By the end of that season, he had helped United reach the 1991 Scottish Cup final, where United lost out in a classic match, with McKinlay picking up his second runners-up medal.

Just as he looked to be hitting peak form, a broken leg in December 1991 kept him sidelined for the rest of that season, but he was soon back in his usual berth. He then went on to have his best spell at United, and in November 1993 he made his full Scotland debut against Malta. He was an important part of the team in United's run to the Scottish Cup final, scoring in earlier rounds against Arbroath and Airdrie. He played in every match except the final itself, missing out due to suspension after a yellow card at Fir Park a few weeks before the match at Hampden.

During the 1994-95 season, there were many rumoured bids and interest from several English clubs including Aston Villa, Everton and Manchester City, and after United were relegated from the Premier Division, that interest intensified. He made 14 appearances for Scotland during his time at Tannadice, the last two as a First Division player - making him one of only three players from that division to play at full international level for Scotland since 1975. In September 1995 he turned down a move to Celtic and then signed for Blackburn Rovers for a fee reported at £1.75m - his parting gift to United fans being a memorable hat-trick in a 3-2 win over Dundee at Dens Park.

He became a regular fixture in the Scotland squad following his move, going on to make appearances in Euro 1996 in England and the 1998 World Cup finals in France. He went on to have a successful career in England, spending five years with Blackburn Rovers, which included a short period on loan at Leicester City, and then time at Bradford city from November 2000. He later played with Preston North End, Clydebank, and Leicester City for a second time, helping the Foxes win promotion to the Premiership in 2003. He then moved to Fulham where he became reserve team manager. In 2012 he became Northern Ireland assistant manager, and later had spells as Watford first-team coach, assistant coach at Real Sociedad, manager at Norwegian side Stabæk Fotball, and coach at Sunderland and West Ham United under David Moyes

Last updated on Wednesday, April 20th, 2022 by B Orr.





Debut

November 22nd, 1986
Dundee United 1 - 0 Hibernian

League (Premier Division)


International Career (Scotland)

Caps: 29

Goals: 4

International Debut: November 17th, 1993 v. Malta

Billy McKinlay represented Scotland at Under-21 and B international level before making his full debut against Malta in November 1993, scoring in a 2-0 victory. His third cap saw another goal, with a memorable winner against Austria in Vienna. He went on to play in seven Euro '96 qualifiers, scoring twice with both goals coming in separate matches against the Faroe Islands. After United's relegation in 1995, McKinlay became one of only three players since 1975 to win international honours whilst playing in the First Division. After winning 14 caps during his time at Tannadice, McKinlay went on to play another 15 times for Scotland as a Blackburn Rovers player, including an appearance in the 1996 European Championships against the Netherlands, and a substitute appearance in the opening match of the 1998 World Cup finals against Brazil, replacing former Tannadice teammate Christian Dailly.

Click here for a full list of international matches for this player


Timeline

  • Date of Birth


    Billy was born on this date in Robroyston, Glasgow.

    Tuesday, April 22nd, 1969

  • Signed For Dundee United

    Friday, June 21st, 1985

  • First Non-Competitive Appearance (Friendly)

    East Stirling 0 - 2 Dundee United
    Friendly

    Only a two goal burst in the final 25 minutes gave United victory. Up until then this had been a fairly evenly contested affair, Ralph Milne putting us ahead from a 65th minute penalty. United's secon

    Tuesday, July 30th, 1985

  • First Team Debut

    Dundee United 1 - 0 Hibernian
    League (Premier Division)

    Our stranglehold over Hibs continued with this narrow but deserved victory. The manager-less Easter Road side. as expected, proved a tough nut to crack and only a goal just before half time gave us th

    Saturday, November 22nd, 1986

  • First Goal

    Hibernian 0 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    This was a match that started innocuously enough, but for some reason developed into a bruising affair with Hibs losing the services of two players who were red carded and a further two were booked as

    Wednesday, October 28th, 1987

  • 50th Appearance

    Motherwell 1 - 2 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    We got back on the rails following Saturday's set back against Motherwell, who have shown greatly improved form since the turn of the year. In the first half particularly, we made most of the running

    Tuesday, March 14th, 1989

  • 50th League Appearance

    Celtic 0 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    Parkhead, not for the first time, proved to be a venue for one of our best performances, for us to notch our first away win of the season. Even although we were without the services of the suspended M

    Saturday, November 18th, 1989

  • 100th Appearance

    Dundee United 2 - 3 Aberdeen
    League (Premier Division)

    What a game this was! So often, past matches with Aberdeen have resembled chess on a football park with both sides cancelling each other out. There were no such inhibitions in this end-to-end encounte

    Saturday, November 24th, 1990

  • 100th League Appearance

    Hearts 1 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    This was our thirteenth visit to Tynecastle since we last recorded a victory there and for a long period it looked as though, it wouldn't be unlucky, particularly, after we went ahead thanks to Duncan

    Saturday, September 21st, 1991

  • 200th Appearance

    Dundee United 0 - 1 Hibernian
    League Cup (Semi Final)

    Former United striker Darren Jackson was struggling to be fit for this tie, but it was his goal after just ten minutes play which was to dump his form€er colleagues, but that only tells half the tale

    Tuesday, September 21st, 1993

  • International Debut


    Billy earned his first International cap for Scotland, playing against Malta.

    Wednesday, November 17th, 1993

  • 200th League Appearance

    Motherwell 1 - 1 Dundee United
    League (Premier Division)

    The only change in United's lineup was on the bench and an enforced one, David Hannah replacing Jerren Nixon who had returned home on compassionate leave. The early stages brought half chances at both

    Tuesday, November 8th, 1994

  • Last Appearance

    Dundee 2 - 3 Dundee United
    League (First Division)

    The first derby match of the season attracted the biggest gate in the First Division this season. Grant Johnson came in for the injured Paddy Connolly and that was the only change in the United line-u

    Saturday, September 30th, 1995

  • Last Goal

    Dundee 2 - 3 Dundee United
    League (First Division)

    The first derby match of the season attracted the biggest gate in the First Division this season. Grant Johnson came in for the injured Paddy Connolly and that was the only change in the United line-u

    Saturday, September 30th, 1995

  • Left the Club

    Friday, October 13th, 1995