Kenny can’t wait to star for the Canaries and Big Eck’s Scots
Alex Mcleish is in the process of assessing the early- season form of the men he’ll consider for Scotland’s first internationals of the new season.
With the friendly against Belgium and Nations Cup clash against Albania now just five weeks away, the national manager doesn’t have much time to lose. Kenny Mclean hopes to be involved. The former Aberdeen midfielder kicked off his new campaign with Norwich City yesterday, away to Birmingham City.
He played in the end- of- season tour games away to Peru and Mexico and they whetted his appetite for more international action.
The 26-year-old former St Mirren star – who has been capped five times – told The Sunday Post: “Being over in South America as part of the gaffer’s squad was a great experience.
“On the outside, certain people may well have criticised it, but it all seemed very worthwhile to me.
“We played against Peru and Mexico, two countries who were heading to the World Cup Finals.
“The games were competitive and they were testing, believe me.
“I played in the middle of the park in both games, and they were really tough fixtures, against quality players.
“It would have been better if we hadn’t lost both games, but I still took away plenty of positives.
“I went there with the intention of showing the manager that, on top of my commitment, I also have the ability and the mentality to play for my country.
“Ultimately, I need to wait and see if I have done enough.
“The answer to that will come at the end of the month when the squad is picked.
“I’m desperate to be involved, and we all want this to be the start of a two- year cycle that sees Scotland qualify for Euro 2020.
“I think we have some top players in Kieran Tierney, Andrew Robertson and Leigh Griffiths – plus a few more.
“For example, I think my former Aberdeen team- mate, Scott Mckenna, possesses all the attributes to play for his country for many, many years to come.
“He was brilliant for Aberdeen last season, and was rewarded by Alex Mcleish by being called up to play for his country.
“He was then given the role of captain on the tour.
“He has a great attitude and is totally dedicated to his profession. He is a sponge for knowledge and a dream player for any manager to have.”
Mckenna is being watched by several English Championship clubs right now, such as Hull City, Middlesbrough and Swansea City.
They all value him at around £2.5m, but the Dons see his market cost as double that.
Mclean feels it is inevitable that the player will go for a huge transfer fee at some stage, but warned his former team-mate not to be in a hurry to leave.
He said: “I had a great time at Aberdeen, and my appreciation for manager, Derek Mcinnes, his staff, my former team-mates and the Dons supporters, is well known.
“They were all great to me as a footballer, and as a person.
“I played for five or six seasons and got around 250 first- team games under my belt for Aberdeen and St Mirren. It was then I felt ready to go and show what I can do in England.
“I understand the lure of English football, and the more-lucrative contracts. But boys can sometimes be in a rush to go too soon.
“But you need to weigh up absolutely everything before you decide to leave any football club, particularly one at which you are valued, appreciated and certain to play every week.
“I think I have the ability, attitude and mentality to cope with the high demands of the English Championship.
“It’s always been an ambition of mine to play in England, and I hope to help Norwich have a really successful season.
“I’ve no doubt I will find it tough, and I will be pushed to my limits – and beyond. But I’m relishing the challenge.
“We have a very good manager and a very talented squad at Carrow Road.
“The boys have made me feel very welcome, and I have settled into the area very easily.
“So I feel right at home off the park, and now I need to produce at a consistent level on it.”