Mclean aims to shine on Peru and Mexico trip
Kenny Mclean last night leapt to the defence of Scotland’s summer tour of Central and South America.
New national manager Alex Mcleish, already without several of his top players for the trip to play Peru and Mexico, has been hit by a raft of call-offs with Allan Mcgregor just the latest to pull out of the squad.
But having had to wait until he was 24 and had 200 club appearances behind him to win his first cap, departing Aberdeen midfielder Mclean is determined to seize the opportunity to shine.
“It’s great to be involved in this, to represent your country is the biggest honour there is, in my opinion,” he said.
“It doesn’t matter there’s been one or two withdrawals, I think the next couple of weeks will be excellent.
“We’ve got two massive games coming up against quality teams who are heading to the World Cup.
“And we are going to have to play them in the heat and at altitude, which is going to be tough.
“However, you look to test yourself at every opportunity, you want to put yourself up against really good players in really difficult situations and that’s what we’re doing.
“We have a new manager so it is a massive opportunity for everybody,” said the 26-year-old, who will join Norwich City on his return.
“He has brought together a youthful squad for the trip so it looks as if he is looking to the future.
“To get in you need to do well for your club but once you are in it is different again.
“It is another level up and you have to show him in person you belong .
“It’s a different kettle of fish. If you impress while you’re away you can push to get in the starting XI and that’s what I want to do.
“There is hard work to do but it’s all about getting in the team and you need to be selfish. I need to do as well as I can when I get the chance.
“It’ll be 12 days of hard work but as I say there’s no bigger honour, so it’s something I’m really looking forward to.”
If there is one of his fellow tourists Mclean hopes to also impress it is his now former Dons skipper Graeme Shinnie.
“When you see your team-mates get the recognition they deserve it is amazing,” he said.
“It has been spoken about in the press that Shinnie has not had the opportunity but the manager realises how well he has done on a consistent basis.
“Since he came to Aberdeen he has been excellent.
“I’m sure he never begrudged anybody else their place, but I know he wanted to be involved.
“I’m delighted for him because I see the work he puts in.
“He has been my captain at Aberdeen and everything he does is so professional. He has been desperate for this opportunity.
“I have no doubt at all he will grab it with both hands and kick on from there.” Mclean has meanwhile thanked Michael O’neill for his vote of confidence, the Northern Ireland manager having this week backed him to make a big impact in the English Championship next season.
“It’s nice to hear. What Michael’s done with Northern Ireland has been exceptional,” he said.
“When people big you up that way you want to show you are worthy of that praise and I’m no different.
“I’ve worked so hard to get in this position, I’ve got the move that I’ve been desperate for, the chance to challenge myself with something different, and I think Norwich will be excellent for me.
“I’ve got confidence in my ability and I think I can go there and really impress.
“Of course I want to do well for my country but at the same time I need to try to impress the manager at Norwich.”