Del’s pain at losing McLean
DEREK McINNES reckons Kenny McLean is playing the best football of his career and wishes he could have him at Aberdeen for longer.
But a lucrative move to the English Championship – sealed in January – means the midfielder’s talents will be missing when the Dons gaffer’s rebuilding programme starts in the summer.
Norwich snapped up the ex-St Mirren star during the transfer window but allowed him to remain at Pittodrie on loan until the end of the season.
And McLean’s stock has risen even higher because of his inclusion in the Scotland squad for the friendlies against Costa Rica and Hungary.
McInnes insists having his future sorted out as his Pittodrie contract runs down has put an extra spring in the player’s step in recent weeks.
The Reds boss also feels part of the attraction for McLean and other players such as Graeme Shinnie and Ryan Christie in moving to Aberdeen was the chance to showcase their skills in the hope of a cap call.
He said: “It played a part in McLean and Shinnie and even Christie to an extent to come here, play well, catch the eye on the international manager and get themselves into the Scotland squad.
“If you are playing well and for a team that is doing well that always helps your cause.”
McInnes highlighted the improvement he has seen in McLean since he moved from the Buddies three years ago.
He said: “Technically he has always been a very good player.
“At St Mirren he was their best player and played the game a lot of the time as their main man.
“When he came here initially he had to integrate with some other very good players.
“He has now become for us what he was at St Mirren.
“He has become dependable for me. I would have loved to have worked with him longer.”