 He helped Manchester United to win promotion out of the Second Division in 1935–36 (as champions) and 1937–38.McKay began his career with Shotts Battlefield, and played in the Scottish Football League for East Stirlingshire and Hamilton Academicals, before moving down to England to play for Bolton Wanderers in December 1929.Bolton were a struggling First Division club, finishing 15th in 1929–30, 14th in 1930–31, and 17th in 1931–32, before being relegated in 21st place in 1932–33.