Former Dundee United boss Jackie McNamara has returned to a prominent role in Scottish football as Dunfermline’s new consultant.
Ian Roache looks back on his eventful career, both as player and manager.
1991 – A young Jackie signs for his first professional club, Dunfermline, from Falkirk-based amateurs Gairdoch United. He would go on to make 64 appearances at full-back for the Pars.
1995 – Earns a big-money move to Celtic, joining the Hoops for a reported £650,000 fee.
1996 – His displays in green and white see him named PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year.
1997 – McNamara wins the first of his 33 Scotland caps in a friendly with Wales at Rugby Park, coming on as a substitute for Christian Dailly with 15 minutes to go. The Welsh won 1-0 thanks to a goal from John Hartson.
1998 – He claims his first major trophy as a key member of Wim Jansen’s Celtic team that stops Rangers’ 10-in-a-row by clinching the Premier title. He is also named PFA Scotland’s Players’ Player of the Year. Sat on the bench as Craig Brown’s Scotland team opened the World Cup in France against Brazil but did feature in other group games against both Norway and Morocco.
2001 – Scores the first goal as the Hoops beat Hibs 3-0 in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden.
2005 – Handed the Celtic captain’s armband when Paul Lambert is ruled out with injury. However, quits club later in the year when they fail to offer him a new contact and signs a Bosman deal with Wolves. His first season at Molineux is ruined by a cruciate knee ligament injury.
2007 – Moves to Aberdeen but leaves Pittodrie just 10 months into his two-year deal.
2008 – Signs for Falkirk but 18 months later is then loaned to Partick Thistle, where he breaks his leg in a game against Ayr United, ending his season.
2011 – Takes over as Jags caretaker boss in April before landing a full-time deal a month later. Inducted into Dunfermline’s Hall of Fame.
2013 – Confirmed as new boss of Dundee United, replacing departing manager Peter Houston. He leaves Thistle sitting second in the First Division table, five points behind leaders Morton but with two games in hand. Makes a spectacular debut in the dugout as United beat Rangers 3-0 at home in the Scottish Cup.
2014 – Finishes as losing manager as United are defeated 2-0 by St Johnstone in Scottish Cup final at Celtic Park.
2015 – Sells Gary Mackay-Steven and Stuart Armstrong to Celtic on the final day of the January transfer window. September sees United part company with McNamara. His last match was a 2-1 defeat to Saints at McDiarmid Park with the Tangerines sitting second bottom of the table. Just a few weeks later he reappears as York City boss.
2016 – York are relegated from England’s Football League. In October of that year, he is named as chief executive of the club.
2017 – York are further relegated to the National League North for the first time.
2019 – The year kicks off with McNamara appointed by Dunfermline as their new consultant, working with newly-appointed head coach Stevie Crawford.
