JUST NOW: Norwich star desired at Ibrox, and Kenny McLean’s dream of joining the Rangers is revived
Kenny McLean a lifelong supporter, may finally get his wish this summer and play for the Rangers.
Prior to the upcoming season, reports surfaced on Monday indicating that Philippe Clement has the vice captain of Norwich City on his list of objectives. After making three substitute appearances for Scotland during the Euros, McLean, 32, is currently returning from Germany.
Before heading back to Carrow Road for preseason, the midfield player will have a few weeks of relaxation, but he might be thinking of other things, like a possible dream transfer to Ibrox. Before being released as a 16-year-old, McLean went through the Govan youth system, ending any chance he had of playing for his favorite team.
After sixteen years, McLean may soon be playing for the teams that inspired him in his youth if the Gers executives are able to work out a deal with the Canaries. Although the versatile player, who can also play center-back, has a contract that runs until 2026, he may be free to depart if new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup determines he isn’t a fit for the team.
Although McLean may be crossing his fingers for an agreement to be reached, the former St. Mirren and Aberdeen star has previously been linked to a transfer to Rangers. When his Pittodrie contract expired in 2018, there were initial rumors that he might be moving to Glasgow. However, he remarked, “There was talk a couple of times about Rangers but nothing ever materialized for me,” in an interview with Si Ferry’s Open Goal.
“There were negotiations, nothing too major to be honest with you, even though I had six months left on my contract at Aberdeen even though I was no longer under contract. I had nothing to be thrilled about because there was never anything to look forward to.”
In an interview with the Athletic in 2021, McLean was more forthright about his goals, stating: “I would be lying to say that I wouldn’t want to accomplish it. When you’re a child, you want to play on your boyhood team. I am not thinking about it right now, as I am ready to play in the Premier League again!
However, that would be really significant to me and my family. Growing up in Glasgow, I was a big Rangers supporter and used to attend games with my dad. Growing up, you either support Rangers or Celtic and you want to play for one of them. I was thus in a better situation.”
In a recent interview with the Talk Norwich City podcast, McLean revealed that he was eager to wear the royal blue shirt as he talked about his future, saying, “I think long term, it will be back in Glasgow.”
“To be honest, I get asked it a lot. Talk is constant. But nothing has ever said, “there you go,” in front of me. There has been more than discussion in the past. It has never taken the form of anything.
“Could I ever come to love it? Naturally. Of course I would if you’re raised that way and that’s who you support. My folks would be ecstatic.”