McINNES IN TALKS TO KEEP McLEAN

DEREK McINNES has opened talks with Kenny McLean about extending the midfielder’s contract beyond next summer. However, the Aberdeen manager is realistic about his chances of keeping a player who has already been a transfer target for Rangers. Pedro Caixinha had been keen to bring McLean to Ibrox during the summer window, only for McInnes to make it clear he would not be leaving. With McLean’s current deal expiring at the end of this season, there is now a possibility of him signing a pre-contract with another club in January. Rangers exploited a similar situation to land ex-Aberdeen captain Ryan Jack under freedom of contract in June. ‘We have spoken to Kenny and Anthony (O’Connor), who are out of contract, as well as one or two of the younger ones,’ revealed McInnes. ‘It has been on-going. These things can take a bit longer but we are in discussions. ‘I’m sure we will try to find a way to make both happen if possible. If we can’t then we will deal with it and move on.’ Tomorrow McInnes’ unbeaten team host a Kilmarnock side who have taken just one point from their opening five matches. But he expects Lee McCulloch to get his players firing before long. ‘It’s very early,’ he said. ‘You see a lot of teams have slow starts and Kilmarnock have probably had the biggest turnaround in players (in the league). ‘When you look at the squad, they have some good players. ‘Last year they picked up some very good results on the road and I think they’ll be confident coming here.’