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Report: Rangers expected to return for Aberdeen’s Kenny McLean in January

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Aberdeen rejected a bid from Rangers for star man Kenny McLean in the summer but the saga is not over just yet.

Kenny McLean of Aberdeen controls the ball during the UEFA Europa league second qualifying round, first leg match between Aberdeen and Ventspils at Pittodrie Stadium on July 14, 2016 in...

Rangers are not yet willing to accept defeat in their pursuit of Aberdeen midfielder Kenny McLean.

Not content with nabbing The Dons’ captain Ryan Jack on a free transfer in the summer, the Daily Record reported that Rangers made a £300,000 bid for his former midfield partner McLean in August.

The 2016/17 Scottish Premiership runners-up refused to sell, however. The club promised manager Derek McInnes that they would not sell any more of his star players following the summer departures of Jack, Nial McGinn, Jonny Hayes and Ash Taylor.

Kenny McLean of Aberdeen vies with Vitalijs Recickis of Ventspils during the UEFA Europa league second qualifying round, first leg match between Aberdeen and Ventspils at Pittodrie Stadium...

Aberdeen may have a challenge on their hands in the New Year though. The Daily Record adds that Rangers are expected to go in for McLean again in January, when he will have just six months remaining on his deal and will be free to talk to other clubs and sign a pre-contract agreement.

In theory, then, Rangers could land McLean on a free transfer in the summer – or attempt to encourage Aberdeen to cash in midway through the season.

Kenny McLean of Aberdeen vies with Mehdi Kirch of CS Fola Esch during the UEFA Europa League First Qualifying Round, First Leg match between Aberdeen and CS Fola Esch at Pittodrie Stadium...

The Dons have not given up hope of tying the one-time Scotland international down to a new contract, however.

But McLean, who was released by Rangers youth system before joining St Mirren in 2009, may feel that he has unfinished business and a point to prove at Ibrox.

Rangers manager Pedro Caixinha brought in a whole host of new players in the summer and McLean could add further quality to a new-look midfield featuring Jack, Carlos Pena and Graham Dorrans.