Jim McAlister (Scottish footballer)

Football player infobox| playername= Jim McAlister


fullname = James Duncan McAlister
nickname =
dateofbirth = Birth date and age|1985|11|2|df=y
cityofbirth = Rothesay
countryofbirth = Scotland
height = 5.11
currentclub = Greenock Morton F.C.
position = Midfielder
youthyears = -2002
youthclubs = Linwood Rangers
years = 2002-
clubs = Greenock Morton
caps(goals) = 163 (15)
nationalyears =
nationalteam =
nationalcaps(goals) =
pcupdate = October 4 2008

Jim McAlister (born 2 November 1985 in Rothesay) is a Scottish footballer. He is currently playing for Greenock Morton in the Scottish First Division.

McAlister, although predominantly right footed plays on the left hand side of midfield. He is considered a skilful and hard-working player.

McAlister made his Morton debut as a substitute against Peterhead at Cappielow Park on 28 December 2002 at 17 years old. [cite news|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=365403|title=Morton 1-0 Peterhead|publisher=Soccerbase|accessdate=2008-09-16] His first start was made a few months later on 15 February 2003 away at Elgin City - as an attacker. At the time McAlister was very raw and extremely thin.

Over the next couple of seasons McAlister flirted with the first team while playing regularly for Morton's reserve side. Morton manager John McCormack introduced McAlister to the Morton first team as a result of his performances in the reserve team. By season 2004/05 McAlister had forced his way into Morton's first team and such were his performances that he went on to start in every league match that season; barring one in which he appeared as a substitute. As a result he was offered a new three year contract which he signed in July 2004. He has continued to feature for the first team ever since.

There were rumours of interest from Rangers in one Sunday tabloid newspaper but this never came to anything.

Some of his performances led to comparisons with Barcelona player Ronaldinho and resulted in a number of fans giving him the, tongue-in-cheek, nickname 'Jimaldinho'. [cite news|url=http://www.gmfc.net/Squad/&player=22|title=Jim McAlister profile|publisher=Greenock Morton F.C. official website|accessdate=2008-09-16]

External links

*soccerbase|id=49724|name=McAlister
*soccerbase|id=34340|name=James McAlistair

References