Ex-Invincible Celtic winger Gary Mackay-Steven set for move to Hearts

By Euan Davidson

January 8, 2021

Former Celtic winger Gary Mackay-Steven is set to move to Hearts, according to Sky Sports.

Anthony Joseph has reported that the ex-Celtic, Dundee United and Aberdeen wide man would undergo a medical at the Edinburgh side today. Having been released by Ronny Deila’s New York City FC, Mackay-Steven was heavily linked to a return to the Dons.

However, Robbie Neilson’s Jambos look to have pulled the trigger on bringing GMS back to Scotland.

Former Celtic winger Gary Mackay-Steven in the MLS / (Photo by Fred Kfoury III/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Another Celtic Invincible joins Hearts

Alongside Craig Gordon, Hearts will now have two members of Celtic’s Invincibles (Daily Record). Funnily enough, it was Hearts that ended the Bhoys’ incredible 69-game unbeaten run in December 2017.

Gary Mackay-Steven may have been slightly forgotten by Celtic supporters, but he contributed well to Brendan Rodgers’ side. The tricky winger played 63 games for the Bhoys, scoring 10 and assisting 11.

His spell in New York was like something out of a film. He moved to one of the busiest cities in the world, during a global health pandemic. He described his experiences to The Herald as feeling like “I’m an extra in I Am Legend”.

At NYCFC, he scored 3 and laid on 2 in 39 games (Transfermarkt). He was part of a Ronny Deila side that finished with the 7th in the MLS, finishing 5th in the Eastern Conference (Fox).

Hearts’ recruitment is unlikely to feature any more members of Celtic’s 16-17 squad. We doubt, for example, that Kolo Touré will be checking his phone. Nadir Ciftci and Calvin Miller probably won’t be expecting calls either.

Still, it’s nice to see GMS back in Scotland. It’s surprising that he’s keen to join the second tier, instead of a club like Aberdeen. Nonetheless, he was part of a historic Celtic team, and his contribution shouldn’t be forgotten.