Holyrood praise for McLean
Former Motherwell manager Tommy McLean’s success has been celebrated in Holyrood following his recent induction into the club’s Hall of Fame.
Central Scotland MSP Gillian Mackay lodged a motion in the Scottish Parliament congratulating his achievements and success with the Steelmen.
Tommy spent his playing career at Kilmarnock where he won the league title, and then Rangers, where he was part of the team who won the European Cup Winners Cup in 1972.
During a successful playing career there he also won three league championships, four Scottish Cup medals and three League Cup medals. He was also capped nine times for Scotland.
And while he didn’t play for Motherwell he took over as boss in 1984 moving from Cappielow where he had managed Morton for a season.
His job was to keep the club alive and with very limited resources he managed that by winning promotion back to the top flight at the first attempt.
The club has been an ever-present in Scotland’s top league since.
He would go on to spend a decade at Fir Park and led the club to Scottish Cup glory in one of the most memorable cup finals in history, when Well beat Dundee United 4-3 in 1991.
The 74-year-old who grew up in the village of Ashgill in the Clyde Valley has also had the South Stand at Fir Park named after him.
Scottish Greens MSP Gillian Mackay, noted that McLean is one of the most important figures in Motherwell FC’s 135-year existence and considered to be the most influential in recent history.
The Scottish Greens MSP also praised the club for their involvement with the local community, adding: “I have previously praised Motherwell FC and their supporters for their efforts in providing tickets for the unemployed and low-income families.
“As a fan-owned football club, they are heavily influential in their local community and use their profile to support and benefit those in the surrounding area.
“I was pleased to learn that the supporters made the decision to rename their South Stand in honour of the manager who brought them success in the early 90s.
“Amid the backdrop of looming redundancies from the impending closure of the Ravenscraig steelworks under the Thatcher government,
Tommy McLean and his team brought hope and pride to the town and to the people of Motherwell.
“I commend the club for this fitting tribute and would like to pass my congratulations on to Tommy and his family, and wish him all the very best for the future.”