Why Kenny McLean would be an excellent signing for Rangers
According to the Scottish Sun, Rangers have been credited with an interest in Norwich City ace Kenny McLean ahead of the January transfer window as Steven Gerrard looks to bolster his midfield ranks.
McLean has been in and out of Norwich’s starting XI since the club’s relegation back to the Championship last season. With Euro 2020 around the corner, the prospect of regular first-team football at Ibrox could make a return to the north of the border appealing for the 28-year-old. (h/t Scottish Sun)
It has also been reported that Rangers could look at a loan deal in January with an obligation to buy the midfielder in the summer. Conversely, the Gers might also consider ironing out an agreement with Norwich over a deal to be paid in instalments.
Profile
Kenny McLean spent time in the youth system of Rangers and Aberdeen as a schoolboy before completing his development at St. Mirren. He spent time on loan at Arbroath in the lower divisions before making his first-team debut for St. Mirren in the Scottish Premiership during the 2010-11 season.
The midfielder made over 300 career appearances for St. Mirren and Aberdeen in all competitions before completing a move to Norwich City in January 2018. McLean helped the Canaries secure promotion to the Premier League but couldn’t prevent his team from suffering relegation in the following campaign despite featuring prominently in the top-flight last season.
McLean has made 72 appearances for Norwich in all competitions, registering 5 goals and 8 assists in the process. He made his senior debut for Scotland in 2016 and recently helped his nation qualify for Euro 2020 as Steve Clarke’s side beat Serbia in the playoffs.
McLean would be a quality addition to Rangers’ midfield
Rangers had been linked with plenty of midfielders, most notably Preston’s Daniel Johnson, throughout the summer, but eventually ended up signing Bongani Zungu on a season-long loan deal from Amiens.
The Gers have the option to sign the South African international permanently next summer but that would depend on whether he manages to impress Gerrard over the coming months.
The Ibrox giants already have Steven Davis, Joe Aribo, Scott Arfield, Glen Kamara and Ryan Jack competing for places in the middle of the park. Considering that Rangers are well-stocked in that department, they can afford to take their time and reassess other potential options in the market before making a final decision on Zungu’s future.
To that end, Rangers should definitely consider a deal for Kenny McLean when the window reopens in January. The vastly-experienced Scottish international presents a tried and tested option for the Gers at this level, having spent nine full seasons at Aberdeen and St. Mirren earlier in his career.
The 28-year-old has the versatility to operate in No.8 and No.10 roles in the midfield, thus offering Gerrard some quality cover in more than one area. In fact, McLean has the experience and the skillset to walk straight into the manager’s preferred three-man midfield system.
An overall career track record of 36 goals and 21 assists in 253 Scottish top-flight appearances clearly underlines his ability to score as well as create goals for his side. Add to that his versatility and McLean ticks every box to come through the door as a top-quality addition to Rangers’ midfield.
Read more
- Why Dan Glazer to Rangers would bolster their midfield
- Why Rangers should continue their pursuit of Patrik Hrosovskyd
Verdict
Kenny McLean has tonnes of experience in the Scottish Premiership and has also proven his mettle in English football at Norwich City. He still has several years remaining in his prime at 28. Rangers completing a deal for the Canaries star would definitely make them a more potent midfield unit moving forward.
With Davis nearing his twilight at 35 and Arfield also not getting any younger at 31, McLean has all the qualities to establish himself as a key player for Rangers in the years to come.
