Andrew McNeil

Football player infobox


playername = Andrew McNeil
fullname =
height =
nickname =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1987|1|19
cityofbirth = Edinburgh
countryofbirth = Scotland
currentclub = Hibernian
clubnumber = 21
position = Goalkeeper
youthyears = 2003–2004
youthclubs = Southampton
years = 2004–2006 2006–
clubs = Southampton
Hibernian
caps(goals) = 00 (0)
28 (0)
nationalyears =
nationalteam = Scotland under–19
Scotland under–20
Scotland under–21
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = 23 August 2008
ntupdate = 4 October 2008

Andrew "Andy" McNeil (born 19 January 1987) is a Scottish professional association football goalkeeper who currently plays for Hibernian in the Scottish Premier League.

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.cite web|url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=564492006|publisher=The Scotsman|title=Andy just gloves being in like Jim|accessmonthday=January 4|accessyear=2007] However, it was in England that he opted to start his career, joining first club 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 final of the , losing on aggregate to Ipswich Town.

He negotiated an early release from his contract when new "Saints" manager George Burley signed a rival young goalkeeper, Bartosz Białkowski, in January 2006.cite web|url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=564492006|publisher=Scotsman.com Sport|title=Andy just gloves being in like Jim|accessmonthday=January 4|accessyear=2007] 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, McNeill returned to Edinburgh to sign for Hibernian.cite web|url=http://edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=564492006|publisher="Scotsman.com Sport"|title=Andy just gloves being in like Jim|accessmonthday=January 4|accessyear=2007] McNeil made his debut for Hibs in a 2–0 victory over Dunfermline Athletic on 30 December 2006cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/scot_prem/6214555.stm|publisher="BBC Sport"|title=Hibernian 2–0 Dunfermline Ath|accessmonthday=January 4|accessyear=2007] after manager John Collins had dropped Zbigniew Małkowski.cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hibernian/6219527.stm|publisher="BBC Sport"|title=Collins makes McNeil No.1 choice|accessmonthday=January 4|accessyear=2007] 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. [Murray, Ewan. [http://football.guardian.co.uk/Match_Report/0,,-74568,00.html Driver steers Hearts towards Uefa Cup as battle hots up] , "The Guardian", 14 May 2007.] 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.

Youth international

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.cite web|url=http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/sport.cfm?id=1107602006|publisher="The Scotsman"|title=Young Scots give hope for bright future|accessmonthday=January 4|accessyear=2007]

References

External links

*soccerbase|id=42168|name=Andrew McNeil