| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Andrew McNeil | ||
| Date of birth | 19 January 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Edinburgh, Scotland | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Playing position | Goalkeeper | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Livingston | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003–2006 | Southampton | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2006–2009 | Hibernian | 31 | (0) |
| 2009 | Livingston (trialist) | 1 | (0) |
| 2009 | Clyde (trialist) | 1 | (0) |
| 2009–2010 | Montrose | 29 | (0) |
| 2010–2011 | Raith Rovers | 16 | (0) |
| 2011– | Livingston | 4 | (0) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2005–2006 | Scotland U19 | ||
| 2007 | Scotland U20[1] | 3 | (0) |
| 2007 | Scotland U21 | ||
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 04 September 2011. † Appearances (Goals). |
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Andrew "Andy" McNeil (born 19 January 1987 in Edinburgh, Scotland) is a Scottish professional association football goalkeeper who currently plays for Livingston. McNeil was previously with Hibernian, for whom he played in the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final win.[2] He has also represented Scotland at three youth international levels.
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A former student at Leith Academy, McNeil drew early inspiration, and an inclination towards goalkeeping, from watching Jim Leighton play for his local side, Hibs.[3] He opted to start his career in England, however, joining Southampton in August 2003 through their academy system, earning a professional contract in 2004. He was a member of Southampton's youth team that reached the 2005 FA Youth Cup Final,[2] losing on aggregate to Ipswich Town.
McNeil negotiated an early release from his contract when new Saints manager George Burley signed a rival young goalkeeper, Bartosz Białkowski, in January 2006.[3] Despite occasionally appearing on the substitute's bench, he did not make a competitive appearance during his time with Southampton.
Two days after his departure from the St Mary's Stadium, McNeil returned to Edinburgh to sign for Hibernian.[3] McNeil made his debut for Hibs in a 2–0 victory over Dunfermline Athletic on 30 December 2006[4] after manager John Collins had dropped Zbigniew Małkowski.[5] He played in most of the games between then and the end of the season, including the 2007 Scottish League Cup Final.
McNeil was criticised, however, for conceding soft goals in Edinburgh derby defeats towards the end of the season.[6] He lost his place in the team at the start of the 2007–08 season after Collins signed Yves Makabu-Makalambay. He regained his place, however, later in the season after Makalambay sustained an injury. McNeil produced some good performances in this second period in the team, but lost his place early in the 2008–09 season after Makalambay returned from the Olympics. McNeil publicly stated in December 2008 that he couldn't understand why he had lost his place and that he expected to leave Hibs during 2009.[7] One of Mixu Paatelainen's last acts as Hibs manager was to release McNeil, as expected.[8]
During a period out of the game, McNeil worked for a gardening company ran by his father.[9] He also made a guest appearance for Shamrock Rovers in a friendly against Newcastle[10] and appeared as a trialist for Livingston[11][12] and Clyde.[13]
McNeil signed a one year contract with Third Division club Montrose in September 2009.[2] McNeil played 29 times in the Third Division for Montrose before his contract expired at the end of the season. Although he was grateful for Montrose providing the opportunity of first team football, McNeil was surprised at having to drop down to semi-professional football.[9]
McNeil signed a pre-contract agreement to join First Division club Raith Rovers at the official end of the 2009–10 season on May 16.[14] This deal was confirmed by the regulating body on May 20.[15] McNeil played regularly in a Raith side that challenged for promotion to the SPL,[9] but the club were overhauled by Fife derby rivals Dunfermline in the final weeks of the season.[16] McNeil was one of 15 players who were released by Raith at the end of the season.[16]
McNeil signed a one year contract with Livingston in July 2011, covering for a serious injury to Tony Bullock.[12]
McNeil was selected Scotland squad for the 2006 UEFA U–19 Championships. He was the first choice goalkeeper as the young Scots reached the final, only to lose 2–1 to Spain.[17] Due to their performance in that competition, Scotland qualified for the 2007 FIFA U–20 World Cup hosted in Canada. McNeil was selected for all Scotland's matches as they were knocked out in the group phase.
After leaving Raith Rovers, McNeil was selected for the Great Britain team participating in the 2011 World University Games.[18] McNeil was eligible for selection as he was studying at Telford College in Edinburgh for an HND in sports coaching.[18]
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