Rangers’ offer for McLean ‘is a joke’
ALEX SMITH has branded Rangers’ bid for Aberdeen star Kenny McLean a joke.
The former Dons manager insists McLean, who still has a year left on his contract at Pittodrie, is worth far in excess of the £300,000 the Ibrox outfit offered for the midfielder.
And Smith believes the Light Blues should even have to pay more than the going rate for McLean because the clubs will be big rivals in the coming season.
The veteran former St Mirren boss said: “Aberdeen must have thought Rangers were joking when they received a bid of only £300,000 for Kenny McLean.
“He’s turned out to be an excellent player for Aberdeen and, when he’s still got a year left on his deal, he is worth much more than that.
“I’ve always found Rangers to be a fair club in the transfer market in the past and it might be that it’s just an opening offer.
“But Aberdeen will be looking at the value that the player will bring to them this season and how much it would be to replace him – which would be far more than £300,000.
“Aberdeen were quite right to reject the offer, particularly when it came from a club the Dons will be competing against domestically.
“If McLean went to Rangers then it would make the Dons weaker and one of their main rivals stronger. That is why when a rival club bids for one of your players they should expect to pay more.”
In light of the departure of some key men from the Dons, Smith added: “Derek McInnes can ill-afford to lose another of the players who served him so well last season.”