More to come after Mclean’s milestone
When he was a schoolboy at Cathkin High in Cambuslang, even playing once for Scotland seemed like an impossible dream for Kenny Mclean.
His cameo on Thursday night against Austria, when he replaced Billy Gilmour during the 1-1 draw with Poland, saw him rack up his 25th appearance for his country and means he draws level with the likes of Tommy Docherty and Paul Hartley on the quarter of a century mark.
It illustrates just what a hectic year this could turn out to be for Scotland when one considers that Mclean could be well on the way to 50 and Roll of Honour qualification by the time the end of December comes about.
There’s the potential for there to be six games alone in June. A big squad will be required if Fifa does in fact go ahead with a plan to crowbar the play-off semi-final v Ukraine into the first three weeks of that month alongside four Nations League fixtures. The play-off v Wales will then also have to be negotiated if Scotland can overcome Ukraine, either in June or later this year.
Reaching such a significant cap mark is therefore particularly special to Mclean. He is in line to make it 26 appearances tomorrow when Scotland travel to face Austria in a friendly.
“Going through school, at Cathkin High, you don't really think it's possible but I've worked hard to do it and I'm grateful,” he said.
“I've been going away with Scotland for a few years now and have built some caps up, so getting to 25 is a bit of a milestone and I'd like to think there will be some more to come.
“I'm no spring chicken, but I do think I've got a bit left in me and still have something to offer the group, so we'll see how far I can go."
Tomorrow’s clash in Vienna is set to be played in front of a very sparse crowd. It is a frustratingly low-key appointment when several other nations are involved in play-off finals.
Unlike Austria, eliminated from the qualification process by Wales last week, Scotland do at least still retain hopes of qualifying. They are
guaranteed to be included in Friday’s draw.
A World Cup finals appearance in November is a particularly beguiling prospect for Mclean, who endured such heartache last summer when he missed out on the Euro 2020 finals due to injury.
The midfielder is the first to admit he’s not an automatic first-choice. However, he’s been far more than just a bit-part player in the six years since he made his Scotland debut against Czech Republic in Prague.
There are his penalties for a start. They are two of the most precious ever scored by Scotland. Mclean’s nerveless effort in a shootout victory v Israel saw Scotland progress to the Euro 2020 play-off final against Serbia, where he also converted in another nerve-jangling penalty decider.
He was therefore as deserving as any to make the squad for the finals. His place was assured. Then came the devastating knee ligament injury that ended his season prematurely and meant that when his teammates were lining up against England at Wembley, he was performing punditry duties for STV. It wasn’t how he had envisaged it.
“All the lads knew how despondent I was not to be there in a playing sense,” he recalled. “They all came over and I just wished them all the best for the game.
“When we meet up with Scotland, everybody talks about the club-like togetherness we've got in the camp and it's true. Everybody is tight and it's a great group of lads. I think that has played a huge part in taking us to where we are just now.
“Obviously, we have got loads of quality and absolutely top players but you need that togetherness and the group that we've got is brilliant just now.
“The manager has built that up with everybody and he has been pretty consistent with the squads that he's picked. The lads are producing. We are on a good run now and we have to continue with it."
“I would love to have been there playing and being involved at some point,” he added. "But I think I was more just happy for the lads and buzzing for the ones who were involved. Of course, from a selfish point of view I wanted to be there as a player but circumstances meant I wasn't.”
He hasn’t any time for regrets. Norwich are eight points from safety coming into the home straight in the Premier League . It isn’t looking good for Mclean as well as Grant Hanley and Gilmour, two Scottish international team-mates at Carrow Road.
Gilmour has endured a particularly trying season. Although back in the team now under Dean Smith, he was subject to criticism from the stands for his perceived lack of commitment due to only being on loan at Chelsea and lost his place in the side for a spell.
“He has got all the ability in the world,” said Mclean about Gilmour. “Obviously, we are in a difficult position at Norwich, but his quality is not in doubt. He is getting better and better for Scotland.”