Transfer stories begin once club gets comfortable

KENNY McLEAN can probably afford to be picky. “I didn’t have any signing talks with Chelsea – they are out of the Champions League so I don’t want to go there,” he says, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

The St Mirren midfielder is out of contract in the summer and likely to be a player in demand. A Chelsea supporter, he was among the crowd at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night for the second leg of the Champions League semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid. If there was some disappointment at the result, then it was offset by his senses tingling at the prospect of him one day strutting across the turf at some of England’s finest stadia.

McLean is reluctant to talk too much about his own situation while St Mirren still remain in danger of relegation but a summer departure from the club he joined as a 14-year-old seems a near certainty, something even his manager has confirmed. Rangers and Aberdeen are thought to be interested in the player but it is towards England that his sights are set. The size of clubs said to be scouting him has ranged from Everton and Tottenham Hotspur in the Barclays Premier League down to others in the Sky Bet Championship and League One, and McLean revealed he would not be rushed into taking the first offer that comes his way.

“England is very appealing,” he said. “You see a lot of boys going down there but I think the move has to be right. Some boys have gone down where it has not quite worked out but England is where I want to go in the long term.

“Some players take the first club and it is not always going to work out perfectly. You see boys going down there and they are back up within a year. You need to think about your future a lot if you are going to take that next step.

“It is very flattering to be linked with these clubs but I try and distract myself from that. I am getting asked what is happening but nothing is secure and I just want to be safe with St Mirren. After we are safe, then I can think about what I will do next season.”

McLean has always been something of an inconsistent performer but has shown greater stability in recent games, scoring in St Mirren’s last three outings. If he is still guilty of occasionally trying to do too much on the ball, then it is merely a symptom of a player bursting with self-assurance.

“Confidence is a massive thing and when the manager puts his faith in me then it gives me a real lift,” added the 22-year-old. “I started the season pretty well but then I had injuries. Now, I am playing well again and I am scoring goals.”

St Mirren will look to McLean to produce again in today’s home match against Ross County. A win would effectively ensure top-flight football in Paisley for a ninth successive season.

“Everyone is talking about the drop but we are in seventh position.