NOW IT'S BARRIE'S TYNE TO SHINE

Free agent McKay insists he's superfit and focused for his next challenge

- BY SCOTT BURNS

BARRIE MCKAY is fit, fired-up and ready to make up for lost time.

The Scotland international has been a free agent since leaving Hearts at the end of the season.

The talented attacker is now waiting for the phone to ring for that next opportunity.

The 30-year-old became a dad for the second time at the end of the season and was able to enjoy some quality family time.

It was the perfect pick-me-up for McKay who had been deemed surplus to requirements and spent long spells of last season on the sidelines during Neil Critchley’s ill-fated six months in charge at Tynecastle.

McKay has continued to work hard over the summer and now he is looking to see where his next move takes him.

He has the luxury of having a stellar CV and the fact he is a free agent means he has the flexibility to answer an SOS outside of the window.

McKay said: “I just want to get back playing and enjoying my football again.

“That is the key.

“I feel some of that enjoyment was taken a wee bit away from me last year.

“I didn't play as much as I had hoped - especially as I was fit but I just wasn't selected.

"It's now about getting in somewhere but also making sure everything is aligned.

"It definitely has to be the right move, a place where I know I'm going to go in and enjoy it.”