Club A former student at
Leith Academy, McNeil drew early inspiration towards goalkeeping from watching
Jim Leighton play for his local side, Hibs. He opted to start his career in England, however, joining
Southampton in August 2003 through the
Southampton Academy system, earning a professional contract in 2004. He was a member of the Southampton youth team that reached the
2005 FA Youth Cup Final, after
manager John Collins had dropped
Zbigniew Małkowski. He played in most of the games between then and the end of the season, including the
2007 Scottish League Cup Final, for which he received a winner's medal. He lost his place in the team at the start of the
2007–08 season after Collins signed
Yves Ma-Kalambay. He regained his place, however, later in the season after Ma-Kalambay sustained an injury. McNeil produced some good performances in this second period in the team, but lost his place early in the
2008–09 season after Ma-Kalambay returned. McNeil publicly stated that he couldn't understand why he had lost his place and that he expected to leave Hibs during 2009. One of
Mixu Paatelainen's last acts as Hibs manager was to release McNeil. McNeil signed a one-year contract with
Third Division club
Montrose in September 2009. McNeil played 29 times in the Third Division for Montrose before his contract expired at the end of the season. He helped the club to their best ever Scottish Cup run, which ended with a fifth round defeat against his former club Hibs. McNeil signed a pre-contract agreement to join
First Division club
Raith Rovers at the official end of the 2009–10 season on 16 May. This deal was confirmed by the regulating body on 20 May. McNeil played regularly in a Raith side that challenged for promotion to the SPL, but the club were overhauled by
Fife derby rivals
Dunfermline in the final weeks of the season. McNeil signed a one-year contract with
Livingston in July 2011. McNeil left
Livingston at the end of season 2012–13 after two years with the club. McNeil signed for New Zealand
ASB Premiership side
Waibop United in July 2013. He returned to Scottish football in June 2014, signing for
Airdrieonians. In May 2015 McNeil signed for
Alloa Athletic, and was also working as goalkeeping coach at
Edusport Academy. He left Alloa in 2016 and soon afterwards went on trial with
Greenock Morton. McNeil signed full-time with Morton on a short-term deal until the end of the season. He agreed a year's contract extension in May 2016.
International McNeil was selected
Scotland squad for the
2006 UEFA U–19 Championships. He was the first choice goalkeeper as the young Scots reached the final, only to lose 2–1 to
Spain. Due to their performance in that competition, Scotland qualified for the
2007 FIFA U–20 World Cup hosted in Canada. McNeil was selected for all Scotland's matches as they were knocked out in the group phase. After leaving Raith Rovers, McNeil was selected for the Great Britain team participating in the
2011 World University Games. ==Coaching career==