Former Aberdeen and St Mirren star might be persuaded to return north of the border, despite having two years left on his contract.

According to recent rumors, Rangers are interested in signing Kenny McLean this summer.

According to the Daily Record, the Norwich City vice-captain is on manager Philippe Clement’s list of signing targets for the upcoming season. The 32-year-old will return to Carrow Road for pre-season after a brief sabbatical. He was part of Scotland’s eliminated Euro 2024 team and made three substitute appearances.

However, the former Aberdeen and St Mirren midfielder might be on the verge of joining his hometown idols after it was revealed that he has been extensively monitored by the Light Blues scouting staff since the conclusion of the previous season. McLean progressed through Govan’s development system until his dreams of playing for his favorite club were destroyed when he was released at the age of 16.

McLean is under contract with the Canaries until 2026, with an option for another year, but he may be released if new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup thinks he isn’t in his long-term plans. Any move will be dependent on if Gers authorities can initiate fee discussions with the EFL Championship club.

Rangers were interested in the versatile player last year before he agreed to a contract deal. He was first linked with a move to Ibrox in 2018, after his contract at Pittodrie expired. McLean has never concealed his desire to rejoin the Gers.

Speaking on Si Ferry’s Open Goal podcast, he said: “There was some chatter about Rangers, but nothing came of it for me. Even when I was out of contract at Aberdeen, I still had six months remaining on my contract, and there were negotiations, but nothing major, to be honest. Nothing to be enthusiastic about because nothing was ever in front of me.

The ongoing ties to Rangers were addressed again three years later, when he admitted in an interview with the Athletic: “I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t something I’d want to do.” As a youngster, you want to play for your boyhood team. I’m not thinking about it right now since I’m getting ready to play in the Premier League again! But that would be something really unique for me and my family. I grew up a Rangers supporter, going to games with my father, and as a youngster in Glasgow, you support either Rangers or Celtic and want to play for one of them. So I was on the good side.”

McLean stated on the Talk Norwich City podcast in 2022 that his long-term plans are to return to Glasgow. I get asked it a lot, honestly. There is always gossip. But there has never been something in front of me that says, ‘There you go.’Previously, there was more than just discussion. It has never materialised into anything. Would I love it someday? Of course. Of course, if you’ve been raised that way, I’d support them. “My family would be over the moon.”

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