after featuring in united's under-17 squad, mccord and nine other players were given professional contracts in april 2006, and he turned out regularly for united's youth, under-19 and reserve teams over the next two years. by the end of the 2007–08 season, mccord had appeared in the first team squad as an unused substitute on three occasions, and in may was given a one-year contract extension. mccord got his first taste of first team action in july 2008 when he featured as a substitute in two pre-season friendlies, including the glamour friendly match against barcelona at tannadice. he made his senior debut in a scottish league cup match against airdrie united in september 2008, appearing as a substitute.