Rangers have been linked with a Scottish international midfielder amid rumours that Nicolas Raskin is set to depart Ibrox after a fallout with head coach Russell Martin.
Norwich star Kenny McLean has been linked with a move to Rangers since his time at Aberdeen almost a decade ago and seems to be a continuous link to the club every transfer window.
However, the move for the boyhood Gers supporter may finally come to fruition today ahead of the transfer window slamming shut at midnight.
Martin and his recruitment team are set to do battle with Disney and Hollywood backed Wrexham, owned by Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds and Always Sunny in Philadelphia actor Rob McElhenney, recently pictured in a Celtic jersey, after the Welsh side recently pipped Rangers to the signing of Conor Coady.
McLean started his career with Rangers as a youth player, but chose to depart the system at the Rangers Training Centre to join the ranks of St Mirren in 2008, aged 16.
He made the Buddies first team at just 18, becoming an integral player for the Paisley side, making over 150 appearances, winning the League Cup, before a switch to Aberdeen in January 2015, six months before the Saints relegation to the Championship, where they would face Rangers under Mark Warburton.
Over 100 games for the Dons followed for McLean, where he was linked with Rangers under the management of both Pedro Caixinha and Steven Gerrard. Those moves never had much substance and he left Aberdeen for the Canaries in January 2018.
It will be interesting to see if McLean receives the same backlash from the Dons support as new Ibrox signing Bojan Miovski has endured, before and since his Rangers debut against Celtic yesterday.
Swedish defender emerges as Rangers transfer target
Manchester United target Rangers midfielder in deadline day deal
Russell Martin criticised by Nico Raskin’s father amid Wolves transfer link
A two-time EFL Championship winner, and a club legend for the Norfolk based side, McLean is now an experienced campaigner at both Championship and Premier League level.
Player-of-the-season only two years ago, the now 33 year old is reportedly keen on a new challenge this summer, as he enters the final year of his contract with the club.
He feels a move back home would be best for his personal life, and to keep his place in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad, having just made the hall of fame with his 50th cap this year.
A transfer fee would be required but would be below the £1m barrier for the experienced campaigner who would compete with the unimpressive Joe Rothwell and Connor Barron for the no.6 position in Martin’s struggling side, who have picked up just four points from their opening four William Hill Premiership games, drawing each of their opening quartet of matches.
Rangers need home grown players for their European quota and McLean would fit that criteria. The move will require the departure of Raskin, linked with Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United in recent days.
There are still hopes of reconciliation between the Belgian and Martin, but with the deadline approaching decisions must be made both on his future, and his replacement.