Gary Mackay-Steven reportedly to sign with Hearts after NYCFC exit

Update, January 9 @ 3:27 pm ET: Mackay-Steven confirmed his move to Heart of Midlothian on his personal Instagram account on Sunday. 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Gary Mackay-Steven (@gary__11)

After two seasons with New York City FC, a Sky Sports Scotland report notes that winger Gary Mackay-Steven is set to sign with Heart of Midlothian in the second-tier Scottish Championship.

Gary Mackay-Steven will undergo a medical with Heart of Midlothian today.
The winger looks set to sign a 2 1/2 year deal with the Scottish Championship club. Mackay-Steven did have initial talks with former club Aberdeen but is now set to join the Edinburgh club pic.twitter.com/z7mzPDxMoD

— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) January 8, 2021

NYCFC declined Mackay-Steven’s 2021 contract option, leaving the 30-year-old Scotsman poised to return to his homeland after his MLS stint. Before joining the Cityzens in 2019, he spent time at Celtic, Dundee United and Aberdeen – three other clubs in his home county. 

While at NYCFC, Mackay-Steven had three goals and two assists in 34 games (15 starts). He drifted in and out of the lineup, but did end the 2020 season with two goals as NYCFC clinched the Eastern Conference’s No. 5 seed and qualified for the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs. 

Mackay-Steven has twice appeared for Scotland’s national team, with his last international appearance coming in a 2018 friendly against Portugal. While NYCFC could add players to fill Mackay-Steven’s role, they have the likes of Ismael Tajouri-Shradi and Jesus Medina as potential starters in wide spots.