Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has emerged as the frontrunner to replace Pedro Caixinha at Rangers – but what does this mean for Kenny McLean?
Pedro Caixinha appeared to be the driving force behind Rangers’ attempts to bring Kenny McLean to Ibrox from Aberdeen in the summer. The Daily Record reported that The Gers made a £300,000 bid for a player they released from their academy as a youngster with Caixinha a big fan of the dynamic midfielder.
Understandably, Aberdeen rejected the offer but, with manager Derek McInnes admitting that McLean could leave in January with his contract due to expire at the end of the season (Herald Scotland), a return to Rangers for the 25-year-old appeared more likely than ever.
The dismissal of Caixinha on Thursday, however, has cast the deal into doubt. After all, whoever the next manager to take over at Ibrox will be, they will likely arrive with their own list of transfer targets – and McLean may no longer be a priority.
Deal off or more likely than ever?
Though with the Daily Record reporting that McInnes himself has emerged as the club’s top choice, it appears that McLean to Rangers could be very much still on.
After all, McInnes has transformed the Scotland international into one of the finest players in the division after signing him from St Mirren back in 2015. In fact, you could make a case for McLean being the best central midfielder in Scotland’s top flight outside of Celtic last season.
Therefore, you can expect that McInnes would make a reunion with McLean one of his first priorities if he is indeed appointed to replace Caixinha at Ibrox.
Caixinha’s departure may appear to threaten the deal but appointing McInnes in his place could make it something of an inevitability.
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