McLean keen to impress Strachan

Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean is determined to play a part in Scotland’s World Cup qualifying campaign.

The 24-year-old, who won his first Scotland cap in a friendly against the Czech Republic in March, was left out of Gordon Strachan’s squad for next month’s Group F opener in Malta on September 4.

But, having experienced his first taste of senior international football, he wants to prove he is ready for a second cap by impressing for Aberdeen, starting this weekend when the Dons travel to Celtic Park to face last season’s champions.

McLean said: “For any young player, playing for Scotland is always going to be an ambition.

“I know I need to be doing the right things at Aberdeen to get that recognition.”

Strachan’s squad take on Lithuania and Slovakia in an October doubleheader before the trip to Wembley to play England on November 11.

McLean said: “It is an exciting time for Scottish football. We nearly made it to the Euros and the manager has put a good squad together.

“We all know there is competition for places and everyone is trying to get in that squad.

“Playing in a World Cup would be massive for any player, so to have that opportunity would be great.

“Every young player has that ambition to play for their national team and I am no different. I want to keep getting better and striving to get in the squad.”

Kenny McLean wants a second Scotland cap.