The Longside Reference

Name: Alex MacDonald
 
D.O.B. 14TH April 1990
 
Place of Birth: Warrington
 
Previous clubs: Falkirk(loan), Inverness Caledonian Thistle (Loan), Plymouth Argyle (loan)
 
Fee: From Youth
 
Signed by Steve Cotterill
 
Clarets Debut: 26th April 2008, Cardiff City (H), D 3-3
 
Last Game for Burnley:
 
Claret Stats:
 
International Honours: Scottish U21 International
 
Contract: 12 Month deal signed May 2011
 
Squad Number 2011/12: 27
 
Claret Stat

Claret Stat: One of our own, Chester born teenager Alex MacDonald ,the latest from the conveyor belt ,Alex a youngster who possess enthusiasm and energy ,in the mould of a young Wayne Rooney.

Complement indeed for the youngster who burst onto the scene in the last home game of the season against Cardiff City, setting up the third goal for Carlisle, when the youngster, without fear, put his young head in where it hurts from a corner to leave a chance for Clarke Carlisle and he didn't miss.

The last game of the season was his second first team outing came away to Crystal Palace , and by all accounts was one of the only players that day to leave the pitch with there head held high.

His achievements this season have been recognised by those who count within club handing Alex the Youth team player of the season, his first award in the Claret of Burnley.

Alex MacDonald was given the squad number 28 in his first season.

With another year to grow and learn and a solid foot in the door we all expect great things from the “young Wayne Rooney” .

2008/09 saw Alex come of the bench in both American games, a spirited cameo in the defeat in the heat against Carolina Railhawks, but against Minnesota thunder, yet again coming of the bench, making his appearance count with his gutsy running, Alex set up a goal for another youngster Jay Rodriguez, he ran 40 yards with ball at feet beating a Minnesota defender before letting fly, the ball was to hot to handle, and Jay was on hand to knock in the rebound.

Up in Scotland Alex MacDonald scored his first goal n a Claret and Blue shirt, scoring the third in a 3-1 win over St Johnstone, in a pre-season friendly.

Alex MacDonald's rise with the Burnley first team has seen him link up with Scotland U19s and their manager Billy Stark, for their international challenge match against Holland in the GVVV Stadium, Veenendaal, on September 5 2008, although born in Warrington, Alex qualifies for Scotland through his Glasgow-born father, this was his first call up for his country.

Alex MacDonald who has moved to Falkirk on a six month loan spell on 10th July 2009 played 89 minutes in Falkirk’s 1-0 Europa Cup second qualifying round first leg match with FC Vaduz. In January 2010, Alex returned to Burnley after finishing his loan spell with the Scottish minnows.

Alex back at Turf Moor, quickly established himself in the newly formed Development Squad under Ashley Hoskin, was the teams top scorer as the Burnley Development squad proudly sat at the top of the northern reserve league.

Now a regular member of the Scottish U21 squad, after netting 7 goals in his 8 U19 appearances, moved north again! this time to Terry Butchers' Inverness Caledonian Thistle on loan till the end of 2010/11.

With Ashley Hoskin leaving Turf Moor, the Development squad is in the hand of new man Jason Blake, but while Alex will quite possibly be taking part in most games, manager Eddie Howe who handed Alex a new twelve month deal, has shown faith in the young forward placing him on the bench for a number of first team games.

Against Cardiff City at the Turf, Eddie threw on the young forward to try and win the game, faith indeed. Next up for Alex was a loan deal at Stuggling Plymouth Argyle, where he is making quite a name for himself, winning over the Green Army with some excellent performances.