CIRCUIT TRAINING
McLean: My Cambuslang scheme is so tough locals joke window cleaners need a sander but it was the perfect schooling for my career
The contrast in surroundings could hardly be more stark.
Kenny McLean feels at home in Norfolk, settled in East Anglia with his partner and daughter.
He’s a proven Premier League player with Norwich City but he’s had to graft for the lifestyle that comes with it.
That journey started on The Circuit housing estate in Cambuslang, Glasgow – a place so rough that locals joke the window cleaners have to use a sander.
But for McLean, that will always be his real home. It’s where he grew up, where he honed his skills and where his parents and pals still live.
He wouldn’t change it for the world. And it’s that continued connection that ensures the Scotland midfielder will never get ideas above his station.
He has mixed it with the big boys this season, despite the Canaries’ precarious position at the foot of the table.
The 28- year- old believes he has improved as a player, physically and mentally, going up against the likes of Fabinho, Kevin de Bruyne and Dele Alli.
And McLean is still hell bent on keeping Daniel Farke’s side in the top flight when the league restarts for City on June 20.
But whatever the future holds he’ll never forget where he has come from.
In an exclusive MailSport interview, McLean said: “Being away from family is the hardest thing, mentally.
“My partner is down here with me and we have a daughter who is only six months old. That’s a life changer. We’re enjoying her growing up right now and are trying to savour this time.
“Obviously we don’t see our families as much as we’d like but that’s just another sacrifice you have to make if you want to be successful.
“You make a lot growing up, sacrifices like not going out with your mates and stuff like that. But the big one is always moving away from family. It’s not easy and when you hear about Scots coming to England and it doesn’t work out – missing family is usually a big factor.
“It’s really important to me, not to forget where I came from.
“I’m from The Circuit and my mum and dad are still there now. They’d never move, it’s an area where everyone knows each other. That’s where I’ll go when I’m back up the road to see everybody.
“I’m still in touch with my mates in Cambuslang and that will never change.
“When I see or speak to them, I’m not a Premier League footballer – I’m just another one of the boys.
“I’ll take as much a stick as they give me. Hearing that banter keeps my feet on the ground but my family would never let me get away from myself.
“I was brought up in a working- class family, my mum and dad both worked all their days to give me this platform.
“That’s my roots, it was my upbringing and
I’ll never veer away from that. Of course, when you come to the Premier League the lifestyle it gives you is excellent.
“But you also need to work hard and remember where it started.”
When McLean arrived in Norwich from Aberdeen two years ago he suffered a set-back when an ankle injury ruled him out for five months.
The midfielder admits that, being 400 miles from home and crocked, he could have thrown the towel in.
But his mental toughness didn’t just see him recover – he also went on to cement his place in a side that secured top-flight promotion. McLean said: “Mentality is the key thing down here. When you’ve got that it brings the best out in you. I came down, played two games and was out for f ive months. It was tough.
“It would have been easy for me to
It’s important to me not to forget where I came from. Mum and dad are still in The Circuit and will never move. I’m still in touch with my mates in Cambuslang and will never change. When I see them, I’m not a Premier footballer – just one of the boys. The banter keeps my feet on the ground
have packed my bags and headed back up the road.
“But I was just so desperate to do well down here. My long-term goal was to be a success in England and I feel, up to now, I’ve done well – even if there’s more to come.
“It’s still a learning curve, I’m still improving. I’ve got so much better since joining Norwich.
“At 28 I feel I ’ m coming into my prime. These next few years will be really big and I want to do the best I can for this club. The gaffer has been excel lent for me.
“I’m always picking new stuff up. Farke is a relaxed guy but he can have his moments – he knows when we need to be told.”
Norwich might be bottom of the league and fighting for their lives but they’ve impressed with the brand of football Farke has implemented.
It still might get them out of trouble and McLean is certain if it wasn’t for their inexperience they would have picked up more points.
On the opening day of the campaign they lost 4- 0 to Liverpool at Anf ield – yet created several chances against the champions-elect.
McLean feels it epitomised their campaign but admits it was a lesson in what’s required to compete with the best.
He said: “It has been tough but I think I’ve adapted well and feel pretty comfortable at this level now. I’ve had to alter my game slightly because of the intensity in the Premier League.
“As soon as a team turns it on, you must be ready to cope. It’s unforgiving, the way teams punish you in this league. That’s what really hits you, that quality across the board and the intensity teams play at.
“You can’t do everything at 100 per cent, you have to pick and choose when to make an impact . But mentally you have to be 100 per cent at all times.
“The concentration levels have to be so high – that has been a big change for me.
“That Liverpool game felt like a proper welcome to the Premier League. It was a reality check and we were a bit naive.”
McLean can’t wait to get going again after the Covid-19 lockdown and said: “The dates have been announced so it’s something to look forward to.
“We’ve been keeping f it, ticking over, but can now start to gel again and get our ideas back on the pitch.
“Our first game is on June 20 and we’ll be ready. We aim to give ourselves a chance of staying in this league.”
At 28, I’m coming into my prime .. these next few years will be big and I want to do the best I can for Norwich