Shay McCartan, born in Newry – Northern Ireland, took his first steps into football with local side Banbridge Town before stepping up in class to feature for Glenavon’s youth set-up. From there, it was the first step into English football with Burnley in 2010.
Whilst at Turf Moor, the Northern Ireland international progressed to the Under-23s before a half-season loan at Hyde FC between January 2013-May 2013. He left Burnley after making just one appearance, in a free transfer deal that took him to Accrington Stanley at the end of that season.
It was at Stanley that McCartan had his most successful spell. He made 126 appearances for them, scoring 25 goals and providing six assists. It was that form that saw him move to the Bantams in July 2017 for a fee of around £200,000.
McCartan made 50 appearances for the Bantams (eight goals/one assist) over that time before his release today as he enters the final month of his current deal. Yet, splitting his first and third years with the Bantams, McCartan was out on loan at Lincoln City.
Whilst with the Imps (July 2018-May 2019), the on-loan Bantam featured in 43 games for the Sincil Bank outfit where he scored seven goals and provided four assists. It was a successful loan from that respect, if not massively over-productive.
Lincoln will finish this season in or around 15th place in League One. The Imps are uncomfortably away from the playoff picture but are comfortably clear and safe of relegation.
Tyler Walker was their leading scorer this season with an impressive 15 goals (158 minutes per goal) with Harry Anderson (seven goals/311 minutes per goal) second in the scoring lists.
MCartan’s four goals for Bradford, albeit four League Two goals, came at the rate of a goal every 203 minutes. Whilst it is not a scientific guarantee, it does indicate that McCartan has goals in him.
With a better supply, with a better quality of player around him, he’d likely score more. Able to play across the park, and as a support striker, McCartan might be a player that Lincoln City make a move for in the summer.
Especially now that they can land him on a free.
