Friday, March 29, 2024
SportScottish PremiershipAberdeen manager Derek McInnes admits he feels for midfielder Kenny McLean over...

Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes admits he feels for midfielder Kenny McLean over Scotland snub

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Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes admits he feels for Kenny McLean over the midfielder’s latest Scotland snub.

The 25-year-old was overlooked by national team manager Gordon Strachan for Wednesday’s friendly against Canada and the crucial World Cup qualifying visit of Slovenia four days later.

McLean again shone in the weekend’s 2-0 victory over Hearts and McInnes has also said previoulsy that Dons captain Graeme Shinnie and playmaker Ryan Jack are capable of making the step up.

Former St Mirren player McLean made his international debut in last March’s 1-0 friendly victory in the Czech Republic and McInnes believes he should also be involved in the current squad.

Speaking to BBC Radio Scotland, he said: “I feel for Kenny, I really do. I’ve always tried to be quite reserved with my thoughts on it because I fully respect that it’s difficult picking the squad.

“For my own players, Shinnie, Jack and especially McLean of late – I don’t really want to put him ahead of Shinnie and Jack, but in terms of wherever we play him, he is a huge influence on our team.

“He is at the heart of most things positive for us.

“I know how important it is for Kenny, he is waiting on the squad coming in, he’s really desperate to be part of things and his game is in such a good place this season, especially over the last two or three months.

“It will come for him, there is no question it will come for him and I do think he should be there.”

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