Jordan McGhee
{{short description|Scottish footballer}}
{{Use British English|date=July 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Jordan McGhee
| fullname =
| image = Jordan McGhee.png
| caption = McGhee in 2024
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1996|07|24}}
| birth_place = East Kilbride, Scotland
| height =
| position = Utility player
| currentclub = Motherwell
| clubnumber = 6
| youthyears1 = 2007–2013
| youthclubs1 = Heart of Midlothian
| years1 = 2013–2017
| clubs1 = Heart of Midlothian
| caps1 = 58
| goals1 = 3
| clubs2 = → Middlesbrough (loan)
| years2 = 2016–2017
| caps2 = 0
| goals2 = 0
| clubs3 = Falkirk
| years3 = 2017–2019
| caps3 = 65
| goals3 = 6
| years4 = 2019–2025
| clubs4 = Dundee
| caps4 = 158
| goals4 = 17
| nationalteam1 = Scotland U15{{cite web | url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=1848&playerID=126498&squadID=21 | title=Jordan McGhee Under-15 Scotland Profile | publisher=Scottish Football Association | work=scottishfa.co.uk | accessdate=10 May 2013}}
| nationalteam2 = Scotland U16{{cite web | url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=1848&playerID=126498&squadID=17| title=Jordan McGhee Under-16 Scotland Profile | publisher=Scottish Football Association | work=scottishfa.co.uk | accessdate=10 May 2013}}
| nationalyears1 = 2011
| nationalyears2 = 2011–2012
| nationalcaps1 = 2
| nationalcaps2 = 9
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 2013
| nationalteam3 = Scotland U18{{cite web | url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/football_player_profile.cfm?page=1848&playerID=126498&squadID=11| title=Jordan McGhee Under-18 Scotland Profile | publisher=Scottish Football Association | work=scottishfa.co.uk | accessdate=10 May 2013}}
| nationalcaps3 = 1
| nationalgoals3 = 1
| nationalyears4 = 2013–2017
| nationalteam4 = Scotland U21
| nationalcaps4 = 20
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| club-update = 11:12, 2 June 2025 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 4 March 2019
| years5 = 2025–
| clubs5 = Motherwell
| caps5 = 0
| goals5 = 0
}}
Jordan McGhee (born 24 July 1996){{cite web | url=http://www.hydc.co.uk/jordan_mcghee.html | title=Jordan McGhee | publisher=Heart of Midlothian Youth Development Committee | work=hydc.co.uk | accessdate=10 May 2013 | url-status=dead | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120509140108/http://www.hydc.co.uk/jordan_mcghee.html | archivedate=9 May 2012 }} is a Scottish professional footballer who currently plays for {{Scottish football updater|Motherwe}} club Motherwell. He can play as either a defender, both as a centre-back and full back, or as a midfielder. He began his career at Heart of Midlothian and had a spell on loan at Middlesbrough. He then spent two years at Falkirk, and was team captain from January 2019 until his departure in the summer of that year for Dundee. McGhee spent 6 years at the Dee, earning two promotions to the Scottish Premiership and a top six finish in nearly 200 appearances before leaving the club in 2025.
Club career
=Heart of Midlothian=
McGhee signed for Heart of Midlothian (Hearts) in 2007, having previously played for Claremont Boys Club.{{cite web | url=http://www.eastkilbridenews.co.uk/lanarkshire-sport/lanarkshire-football/2012/06/20/jordan-s-joy-at-three-year-hearts-deal-68653-31216929/ | title=Jordan's joy at three-year Hearts deal | publisher=East Kilbride News | work=eastkilbridenews.co.uk | date=20 June 2012 | accessdate=10 May 2013}} In July 2012, he signed a three-year professional contract, tying him to the club until 2015. A member of the club's under-20 squad{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/football/top-stories/gary-locke-could-give-teenager-jordan-mcghee-debut-1-2910988 | title=Gary Locke could give teenager Jordan McGhee debut | work=The Scotsman | date=26 April 2013 | accessdate=18 May 2013}} McGhee made his first team debut{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/football/hearts/hearts-3-0-st-mirren-buddies-fall-at-tynecastle-1-2920621 | title=Hearts 3–0 St Mirren: Buddies fall at Tynecastle | work=The Scotsman | date=4 May 2013 | accessdate=19 May 2013}} aged 16,{{cite web | url=http://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/spl/hearts-exact-revenge-for-league-cup-misery-1-2921286 | title=Hearts exact revenge for League Cup misery | work=The Scotsman | date=6 May 2013 | accessdate=19 May 2013}} on 4 May 2013, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute at Tynecastle in a Scottish Premier League match against St Mirren, replacing Mehdi Taouil in a 3–0 win.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22320527 | title=Hearts 3–0 St Mirren | publisher=BBC Sport | date=4 May 2013 | accessdate=19 May 2013}} The following season on 24 August 2013, in only his second substitute appearance,{{cite web | url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/hearts-2-aberdeen-1-17-year-old-2218744 | title=17-year-old McGhee hits winner to continue Jambos fightback | work=Daily Record|location=Glasgow | date=25 August 2013 | accessdate=25 August 2013}} he scored his first professional goal,{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23827738 | title=Gary Locke lavishes praise on Jordan McGhee | publisher=BBC Sport | date=24 August 2013 | accessdate=25 August 2013}} an 88th-minute winner in a 2–1 win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership.{{cite web | url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sport/football/football-match-reports/scottish-premiership-hearts-v-aberdeen-2215466 | title=Jordan McGhee is the hero as brave Hearts stun Dons with late winner | work=Daily Record|location=Glasgow | date=24 August 2013 | accessdate=25 August 2013}} The following week he made his first start against Inverness Caledonian Thistle, in a 2–0 defeat.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23822889 | title=Inverness remain top of the Scottish Premiership following a convincing victory over 10 man Hearts | publisher=BBC Sport | date=31 August 2013 | accessdate=31 August 2013}}
In January 2015, McGhee signed a contract with Hearts that was due to run until the end of the 2016–17 season.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/30816413 |title=Hearts: Defender Jordan McGhee commits to new deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=14 January 2015 |accessdate=4 August 2015}} Ipswich Town made two offers of around £250,000 for McGhee in August 2015, but these were both rejected by Hearts.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33777219|title=Hearts reject Ipswich Town bids for Jordan McGhee |first=Alasdair |last=Lamont |publisher=BBC Sport |date=4 August 2015 |accessdate=4 August 2015}}
In January 2016 McGhee almost moved to Middlesbrough on loan but the move collapsed after paperwork failed to be completed in time.{{cite web|title=Jordan McGhee's move from Hearts to Middlesbrough collapses|url=http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/jordan-mcghee-s-move-from-hearts-to-middlesbrough-collapses-1-4017882|publisher=Edinburgh Evening News|last=Anderson|first=Barry|date=1 February 2016|access-date=11 February 2016|archive-date=23 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123154327/https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hearts/jordan-mcghee-s-move-from-hearts-to-middlesbrough-collapses-1-4017882|url-status=dead}} In July 2016, Middlesbrough returned to sign McGhee on a season-long loan to play in the club's development team.{{cite web|title=Hearts: Jordan McGhee heads for Middlesbrough as Viktor Noring is offered deal|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36706010|publisher=BBC Sport|date=4 July 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.mfc.co.uk/news/article/2016/boro-jordan-mcghee-hearts-heart-of-midlothian-3170079.aspx |title=Boro Take Scotland U21 Captain on Season Long Loan |publisher=Middlesbrough FC |date=5 July 2016 |accessdate=5 July 2016}}
=Falkirk=
McGhee moved to Scottish Championship club Falkirk in August 2017 for an undisclosed transfer fee.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41115639 |title=Falkirk sign defenders Jordan McGhee and Conrad Balatoni |publisher=BBC Sport |date=31 August 2017 |accessdate=31 August 2017}} He made his debut two days later on 2 September 2017, starting at centre-back as his new side defeated Sligo Rovers in the Challenge Cup 2–1.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/falkirkbairns/status/904037774575198208|title=Sligo v Falkirk line ups| publisher= Falkirk FC| date=2 September 2017}} McGhee was named as team captain in January 2019. Despite the team's best efforts, the Bairns were relegated to the Scottish League One at the end of the 2018–19 season.
=Dundee=
== 2019–20 season ==
In June 2019, McGhee signed a two-year deal with Dundee, who had been relegated to the Championship the previous season.{{Cite web|url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/jordan-signs/|title=Jordan Signs|date=17 June 2019|website=Dundee FC Official Website|access-date=17 June 2019}} McGhee became a key figure for the Dark Blues, impressing in a variety of different positions, scoring two important goals in consecutive games, and playing in every game until getting surgery on his hand in February 2020, which sidelined him for a couple of weeks.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/injury-bombshell-for-dundee-after-key-defensive-pair-go-under-knife/|title=Injury bombshell for Dundee after key defensive pair go under knife|last=Cran|first=George|date=7 February 2020|website=Evening Telegraph|access-date=20 April 2020}} McGhee would be voted by his teammates as Dundee's Player's Player of the Year at the end of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/jordan-wins-players-player/|title=Jordan wins Player's Player|date=29 April 2020|website=Dundee FC|access-date=29 April 2020}} At the beginning of July, McGhee would be announced as team captain.{{Cite web|date=1 July 2020|title=Jordan McGhee appointed club captain|url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/jordan-mcghee-appointed-club-captain/|access-date=1 July 2020|website=Dundee FC}}
== 2020–21 season ==
In his second season with Dundee, McGhee would be employed further up the pitch as a box-to-box midfielder by manager James McPake and would find success in this role.{{Cite web|last=Cran|first=George|date=15 December 2020|title=Dundee boss James McPake says Jordan McGhee can make box-to-box midfield slot his own and be the Dark Blues' Murray Davidson|url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/dundee-boss-james-mcpake-says-jordan-mcghee-can-make-box-to-box-midfield-slot-his-own-and-be-the-dark-blues-murray-davidson/|access-date=8 January 2021|website=eveningtelegraph.co.uk}} In January 2021, McGhee signed a two-year extension with Dundee, keeping him at the club until 2023.{{Cite web|date=8 January 2021|title=Jordan signs extension|url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/jordan-signs-extension-2/|access-date=8 January 2021|website=dundeefc.co.uk}} Later that month, McGhee would suffer a torn pectoral muscle that would require surgery and looked likely to have ended his season.{{Cite web|last=Cran|first=George|date=5 February 2021|title=James McPake sees similarities between Dundee new boy Jason Cummings and Celtic's former Dee star Leigh Griffiths|url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/dundee-boss-james-mcpake-says-jason-cummings-has-returned-from-england-an-all-round-better-player-just-like-leigh-griffiths-did/|access-date=11 February 2021|website=eveningtelegraph.co.uk}} He would make his return in April however, having recovered quicker than expected, and started in a game away to Dunfermline Athletic immediately upon returning to the squad.{{Cite web|last=Cran|first=George|date=14 April 2021|title=Jordan McGhee: Ripping muscle from bone, surgery and what it feels like to defy a season-ending injury|url=https://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/fp/jordan-mcghee-ripping-muscle-from-bone-surgery-and-what-it-feels-like-to-defy-a-season-ending-injury/|access-date=15 April 2021|website=eveningtelegraph.co.uk}} McGhee's return was a big factor in Dundee's upturn in form, and he would score 3 vital goals in the Premiership play-offs to help Dundee gain promotion to the Premiership.{{Cite web|date=24 May 2021|title=Dundee promoted as Kilmarnock drop down for first time in 28 years|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/57089947|access-date=24 May 2021|publisher=BBC Sport}}
== 2021–22 season ==
During the 2021–22 season, McGhee would require minor surgery to fix a persistent knee issue, which would sideline him for several weeks.{{Cite web|last=Cran|first=George|title=Dundee injury update: Surgery for Jordan McGhee to sort persistent knee problem, doubts over Max Anderson but positive news on Shaun Byrne and Alex Jakubiak|url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/2760513/dundeefc-injury-jordan-mcghee-surgery-max-anderson-shaun-byrne-alex-jakubiak/|access-date=2021-12-06|website=The Courier|language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=Dundee midfielder Jordan McGhee to miss Motherwell clash after knee surgery|url=https://www.bt.com/sport/news/2021/november/dundee-midfielder-jordan-mcghee-to-miss-motherwell-clash-after-knee-surgery|access-date=2021-12-06|website=BT.com|language=en}} Throughout the season he would return to his usual centre back role under McPake and Mark McGhee, and play his most games for the club in a single season yet, though this would not be enough to avoid relegation and a return to the Championship.{{Cite web |title=Dundee relegated from Scottish Premiership after St Johnstone beat Aberdeen |url=https://uk-sport-web.prod.oceanusorigin.com/football/news/11781/12610699/dundee-relegated-from-scottish-premiership-after-st-johnstone-beat-aberdeen |access-date=2022-08-08 |publisher=Sky Sports |language=en }}{{Dead link|date=December 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
== 2022–23 season ==
McGhee would miss the start of the 2022–23 season with an Achilles injury.{{Cite web |last=Cran |first=George |title=Dundee team news for Partick Thistle clash as Gary Bowyer provides Jordan McGhee update |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/3541612/dundee-partick-thistle-gary-bowyer-jordan-mcghee-update/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last=Cran |first=George |title=Dundee team news: Boss Gary Bowyer provides update on Zak Rudden and Jordan McGhee ahead of Queen's Park clash |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/3505483/dundee-team-news-gary-bowyer-update-zak-rudden-jordan-mcghee/ |access-date=2022-08-08 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}} He would make his first appearance of the season on 20 August 2022, coming off the bench away to Greenock Morton.{{Cite news |title=Greenock Morton v Dundee |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/62530188 |access-date=2022-08-20}} During the season he would once again be used largely as a midfielder by new manager Gary Bowyer.{{Cite web |last=Cran |first=George |title=Dundee verdict: Player ratings, star man and key moments as Dee misses prove costly in Inverness draw |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/4177444/dundee-verdict-player-ratings-star-man-and-key-moments-as-dee-misses-prove-costly-in-inverness-draw/ |access-date=2023-03-07 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}} McGhee would mark his 100th appearance for Dundee with a clean sheet in an away victory over Hamilton Academical.{{Cite news |title=Hamilton Academical v Dundee |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/63018085 |access-date=2022-10-01}} McGhee would have a successful season in midfield, but after an injury late in a win against Raith Rovers in April 2023, McGhee would be out for the rest of the season with knee ligament damage.{{Cite web |last=Robertson |first=Neil |title=Dundee midfielder Jordan McGhee's season is over |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/4312135/dundee-midfielder-jordan-mcghees-season-is-over/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}} McGhee would lift silverware at the end of the season as Dundee would win the Scottish Championship title on the last day away to Queens Park.{{Cite news |title=Dundee back in Premiership after eight-goal epic |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/65420805 |access-date=2023-05-05}}
== 2023–24 season ==
On 10 June 2023, Dundee announced that McGhee had signed a new two-year deal with the club, keeping him there until the summer of 2025.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-10 |title=McGhee extends stay |url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/mcghee-extends-stay/ |access-date=2023-06-10 |website=Dundee Football Club – Official Website |language=en-US}} McGhee played his 150th game with the Dark Blues on 23 January 2024, in a comfortable away win over Livingston.{{Cite news |title=Martindale future a 'conundrum' as Dundee thrash Livingston |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68039655 |access-date=2024-01-31 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} Under Tony Docherty, McGhee played largely at centre back in a back 3 early on before cementing a role at right wing back, and bagged a trio of goals early on in 2024, including a late winner against local rivals St Johnstone.{{Cite news |title=Dundee snatch dramatic derby win over St Johnstone |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/67821044 |access-date=2024-02-11 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} McGhee's purple patch was stopped by a calf injury sidelining him for several weeks, before returning off the bench in another win over St Johnstone.{{Cite web |last=Cran |first=George |date=2024-03-05 |title=Dundee suffer injury blow with Jordan McGhee set to miss key matches as Dens kid turns out for Scotland |url=https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/sport/football/dundee-fc/4912944/dundee-fc-injury-blow-jordan-mcghee-miss-key-matches/ |access-date=2024-03-06 |website=The Courier |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |title=St Johnstone v Dundee |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/68644008 |access-date=2024-03-30 |work=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
== 2024–25 season ==
Returning to his traditional place at centre back, McGhee scored his first goal of the season on 17 August 2024 in a dominant League Cup knockout victory over Airdrieonians.{{Cite web |title=Dundee vs Airdrieonians: Scottish League Cup |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/c4gdpz2162nt |access-date=2024-08-17 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} After being out with an injury, McGhee returned to playing in November, and came off the bench on his return to score in Dundee's comeback victory over Kilmarnock.{{Cite web |title=Dundee vs Kilmarnock: Scottish Premiership |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cx2n4g57w57t |access-date=2024-11-03 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} On 16 March 2025, McGhee scored two goals against Dundee United in Dundee's first derby victory at Tannadice in over twenty years.{{Cite web |title=Dundee United vs Dundee: Scottish Premiership LIVE - line ups, updates, radio, stats & head-to-head |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cr42d1wpe9vt |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}} At the end of the season, after BBC Sport reported in January 2025 that McGhee had signed a pre-contract agreement with fellow Scottish Premiership side Motherwell, Dundee confirmed that McGhee was leaving the club under freedom of contract.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-16 |title=Jordan McGhee: Motherwell agree pre-contract with versatile Dundee player |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/c74mxge9n8xo |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2025-05-21 |title=Jordan McGhee Departs |url=https://dundeefc.co.uk/news/jordan-mcghee-thanks/ |access-date=2025-05-21 |website=Dundee Football Club - Official Website |language=en-US}}
= Motherwell =
On 2 June 2025, Motherwell officially announced the signing of McGhee on a two-year deal.{{Cite web |last=Club |first=Motherwell Football |last2=Gibson |first2=Scott |date=2025-06-02 |title=Jordan McGhee arrives in ML1 |url=https://www.motherwellfc.co.uk/2025/06/02/jordan-mcghee-arrives-in-ml1/ |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=Motherwell Football Club |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2025-06-02 |title=Jordan McGhee joins Motherwell following Dundee exit |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/articles/c62v6dypgp4o |access-date=2025-06-02 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}
International career
McGhee earned caps at under-15, under-16 and under-18 level before earning a call up to the Scotland under-21 squad aged just 17 after some impressive performances for Hearts.
After establishing himself as a regular at centre back alongside Stuart Findlay, he captained the Scotland under-21 side for the first time in a friendly against Switzerland on 18 November 2014 which ended in a 1–1 draw.{{cite web|title=Switzerland 1–1 Scotland|url=http://www.scottishfa.co.uk/international_fixture_details.cfm?page=1921&matchid=147876|publisher=Scottish Football Association|date=18 November 2014}}
Career statistics
{{updated|match played 13 April 2025}}{{soccerway|jordan-mcghee/295379|accessdate=10 May 2013}}
{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}
Honours
= Club =
= Individual =
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Twitter}}
{{Motherwell F.C. squad}}{{DEFAULTSORT:McGhee, Jordan}}
Category:Scottish men's footballers
Category:Scotland men's youth international footballers
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Men's association football utility players
Category:Heart of Midlothian F.C. players
Category:Scottish Premier League players
Category:Scottish Professional Football League players
Category:Scotland men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Middlesbrough F.C. players
Category:Footballers from East Kilbride