By Sam Stone

14th Dec, 2022 | 7:10am

Kenny McLean would 'love' Rangers return despite new Norwich deal

Kenny McLean would “love” to return to Rangers despite the 30-year-old signing a new contract at Norwich until the summer of 2025.

The Scottish Daily Express reported (20 November) that the former Aberdeen man was being lined up by the Gers, with the Ibrox club eager to secure a pre-contract agreement.

He has since extended his Carrow Road stay for another two years, although the midfielder has suggested his longer-term future could lie north of the border, where he was once on Rangers’ books as a youngster.

“I think long term, it will be back home in Glasgow [on his future],” said McLean (TalkNorwichCity, 47m57s, 13 December). 

“There’s always talk. But there’s never been anything in front of me saying ‘there you go’.

“Would I love it one day? Of course [return to Rangers]. If you’re brought up and that’s who you support then of course I would. My family would be over the moon.”

Never know

Despite McLean signing a new deal with the Championship club, there’s always a chance the boyhood Rangers fan could return to Ibrox. He will be 33 by the time his contract comes to an end, and it remains to be seen in Michael Beale will target older players.

The Gers have been happy to utilise the likes of Scott Arfield, Steven Davis and Allan McGregor and they could be happy to welcome McLean on a shorter-term deal when his contract at Norwich concludes. Beale will evidently look to give youth a chance during his time at Ibrox, but it’s also important the former QPR boss ensures there’s the odd experienced head.

January promises to be an intriguing month for Beale with some huge fixtures on the horizon as well as the winter window to contend with. There are certainly some areas of his squad that he will be looking to upgrade as well as some contractual issues which need ironing out quickly.

In other Rangers news, an out-of-court agreement could be reached for the Gers as documents have been submitted.