James McGarry (Aberdeen | Scotland)

Dons (7th) travel to Hearts (3rd)
https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/01/27/scotland/premier-league/heart-of-midlothian-fc/aberdeen-fc/4104713/

Hearts win 2-0. no McGarry for the Dons.

Nieuwenhof full game for Hearts. Devlin injured. Rowles & Atkinson away with the Socceroos.

Dons (8th) host Celtic (1st)
https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/02/03/scotland/premier-league/aberdeen-fc/celtic-fc/4104730/

No McGarry

A 1-1 draw. Only the 6th time in 24 games this season, Celtic haven't taken 3 points.

Warnock prefer a back 3/5 or 4? Paul Ifill tells some colourful tales about Warnock.

Dons (8th) travel to Ibrox. Rangers are 2nd of course
https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/02/06/scotland/premier-league/rangers-fc/aberdeen-fc/4104760/

Dons lose 2-1 at Ibrox. No McGarry. Warnock sets up with a back 4

Niche Cache.

As for James McGarry, there was weird news this week with 75yo Neil Warnock hired as his new manager at Aberdeen. Warnock’s a cult hero for his many years of service in the English leagues, though McGarry’s not been able to show what he can do just yet as he’s currently out with another hamstring injury. Not the same injury that he suffered earlier on in the season, also not nearly as severe. Fingers crossed he’ll be back in another week or two as was initially forecast.

Barry Robson, then-manager of Aberdeen on 23 Jan: “We gave [McGarry] a good three or four months rehab but he’s hurt a totally different part of his hamstring. I never rush players back after injury so it’s frustrating as he’s just got used to the intensity of our game. We built him up to what I’m looking for and everyone could see he’s a good player. But it’s been difficult for him being back then out again as he just needs more games.”

Warnocks love affair with The Rangers is grating but he's the type of experienced head we need. Not sure what the future holds for McGarry, hopefully he recovers and we play him further up field in a more LW role as defence has never been his strong suit. Looks like 3rd place is out this year and 4th is going to be tough to achieve.

Dons host Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic from the Scottish 4th tier  in the Scottish Cup
https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/02/10/scotland/scottish-cup/aberdeen-fc/bonnyrigg-rose-athletic-fc/4307952/

Edit - no McGarry

2-0 win for the Dons

Dons (9th) host Hibernian (8th). McGarry & Montgomery catchup

https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/02/17/scotland/premier-league/aberdeen-fc/hibernian-football-club/4104771/

No McGarry as Dons draw 2-2.

Socceroos count Hibs.
Lewis Miller, Triantis & Boyle (1st Hibs goal) all start. 

Dons (8th) travel to Kilmarnock (4th).

https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/02/24/scotland/premier-league/kilmarnock-fc/aberdeen-fc/4104794/

McGarry makes his injury return. On the pine

Unused sub in a 2-0 loss. Warnock only made 2 subs all game.

Aberdeen (8th) host St Johnstone (10th)

https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/02/28/scotland/premier-league/aberdeen-fc/saint-johnstone-fc/4104811/

McGarry a 82 min sub (0-2) in a 0-2 loss. Warnock doing worse than the previous manager? Dons last SPL win 3rd January.

Dons (9th) travel to Greive's parent club St Mirren (5th)

https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/02/scotland/premier-league/saint-mirren-fc/aberdeen-fc/4104847/

Edit - McGarry on the pine

McGarry (gets a yellow) on at 64 mins with Dons leading 1-0. But St Mirren get 2 goals post 95 mins to triumph 2-1.

Aberdeen host Kilmarnock in Scottish FA Cup quarterfinal.
No McGarry. Hopefully not yet another injury. Maybe he isn't eligible if didn't play in earlier rounds??

https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/09/scotland/scottish-cup/aberdeen-fc/kilmarnock-fc/4320159/

Dons win 3-1, and so through to a semi final at Hampden Park.

Dons (10th) travel to Dundee (7th).
5 games before the top 6, bottom 6 split. Almost must win for Dons if they are to catch Hibs (6th & 7 pts ahead).

https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/13/scotland/premier-league/dundee-fc/aberdeen-fc/4104640/

McGarry an unused sub in a 1-0 loss. Almost certain now the Dons will be in the Bottom 6, come the split.

Next the Kiwi (ex Nix) SPL derby. Motherwell verus Aberdeen. Though both Elliot & McGarry may just get splinters.

Kiwi SPL derby. Motherwell (8th) host Aberdeen (10th). Only Motherwell realistically have a chance of top 6, before the cut off.

https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/16/scotland/premier-league/motherwell-fc/aberdeen-fc/4104864/

McGarry an unused sub. No Elliot.
1-0 win Dons.

Dons (9th) host Ross County (11th)

https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/03/30/scotland/premier-league/aberdeen-fc/ross-county-fc/4104871/

Edit - McGarry on the bench.

McGarry unused sub in a 2-1 win.

Dons (9th) travel to Livingston (12th). It's all about the Old Firm derby this weekend in Scotland - Glasgow giants separated by 1 point.

https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/04/06/scotland/premier-league/livingston-fc/aberdeen-fc/4104901/

McGarry on the pine. Aussie Tete Yengi starts for Livingston (12th/last), who look doomed for relegation being 10 pts off 11th (Ross County).

Unused sub in a 0-0 draw

Dons (9th) host Dundee (6th)

https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/04/13/scotland/premier-league/aberdeen-fc/dundee-fc/4104911/

Edit - McGarry on the pine.

Unused sub in a 0-0 draw.
Dons in bottom half for top 6/bottom 6 split

Big day out at Hampden Park. Scottish Cup semi final.
Aberdeen verus Celtic. Be great if McGarry got on, but that seems unlikely. No playing time for Dons since 2nd March, though a regular on the bench.

Rangers play Hearts in the other semi.

https://au.soccerway.com/matches/2024/04/20/scotland/scottish-cup/aberdeen-fc/celtic-fc/4335711/

1-1 at HT. Dons with a shock early 2nd min goal. Hoops equalise at 21 mins.

Unfortunately McGarry didn't make the match day squad.
Didn't even realise Neil Warnock left as interim manager last month.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUtqj9beXDw

So a semi final of high drama it proves to be!

Mid way through 2nd half, Celtic go up 2-1. But Dons get a 90th min equaliser (2-2) to take it to ET.

Hoops get a 3rd in ET, but the Dons don't lie down and do a repeat, equalising late again this time at 119 mins.

Pens it is. Sadly Celtic get up 6-5 in the shootout, and they go through to the Scottish Cup big dance. Heartbreak for Dons fans.