Kenny McLean was the banker, this was the one that couldn’t lose, this was Rangers’ summer guarantee.
Apparently.
The Scotland international midfielder, 32, has made no bones about his Ibrox allegiances and as Rangers ramp up the hunt for experience this summer, McLean was named as being top of the club’s wish list.
Reports had even claimed that a deal to bring Kenny McLean to Ibrox wasn’t so much in negotiations as it was ‘in the post’ only a couple of days ago.
But the entire thing reportedly collapsed hours later with McLean and Rangers said to be some way apart with regards the length of contract on the table.
Now, this flip-flopping transfer story has taken a fresh twist as the Norwich City midfielder’s agent sees the funny side on social media.
McLean’s agent responds to Rangers claims
It’s been claimed that Rangers didn’t want to sign an aging Kenny McLean down on a long-term contract.
The midfielder is currently guaranteed to Norwich City until 2026 with the option of another year, effectively ensuring him three-years of bumper wages at the English Championship yo-yo club.
Whilst the appeal of moving to Rangers is obvious for a bluenose, the lucrative wages on offer down south will need the scales to be balanced a little more favourably financially.
But whilst all this discussion is going on in public, the midfielder’s agent has laughed the entire thing off on social media platform X.
Alan Houldsworth – who handled McLean’s most recent contract extension at Carrow Road – has sent a series of laughing faces in response to these contract claims.
Whilst we’re not exactly sure whether this means the deal is on, off, or was never happening in the first place, it certainly suggests the current narrative in the media is patently incorrect.
Rangers on transfer hunt for experience
In terms of Kenny McLean’s immediate future, that will become clear in the fullness of time with the transfer window still open and Rangers still on the hunt for experience.
The Scotland international is currently earning some well-earned downtime after being named Norwich’s Player of the Year last season and representing his country at Euro 2024.
Rangers manager Philippe Clement meanwhile has been publicly claiming that more experience is set to be added to the Ibrox ranks in the coming weeks.
“We had five players going out of the building at end of contract, so we didn’t get any money in, we lost five players,” said Clement.
“But at the moment, we were focussed on everything but it was easier to get the young players in but, as for the transfer window, there will also be experience coming into the building.
“We need a good balance to the squad in the team of both but it was important to find these young talents and they are a few exciting talents for the future.”
So far Rangers have added Brazilian left-back Jefte (Fluminense), French defender Clinton Nsiala (AC Milan), Scotland U21 midfielder Connor Barron (Aberdeen) and Scotland goalkeeper Liam Kelly (Motherwell) to the squad from last season.
A permanent deal for Ivorian talent Mohamed Diomande (FC Nordsjælland) has been completed whilst a loan-to-buy extension has been struck for Colombian winger Oscar Cortes (RC Lens).
