In January 2015, Kenny McLean became Aberdeen’s biggest signing since Steve Lovell over a decade ago, but many supporters and media alike have suggested that he did not make the instant impression that a £300k signing should make. While the effort was never in doubt, something did not seem to click.
Moving on from an unspectacular start, McLean in recent weeks has broken into his stride under the tutelage of Derek McInnes and Tony Docherty. The Aberdeen faithful will hope that this ascendancy in form continues throughout the season and loosens the goal-scoring burden hinged on current number nine Adam Rooney. We believe that recent performances can act as a catalyst and help McLean meet the expectations that his transfer fee has dictated.
In his first few appearances in an Aberdeen shirt the former St. Mirren midfielder was positioned deeper beside Jack in a more conservative role, and consequently, was unable to flaunt the attacking prowess that he was known for in Paisley. The introduction of Shinnie has enabled McLean to adopt a higher position. With Shinnie and Jack holding, McLean has the freedom to roam and the benefits were revealed as he struck against Rijeka and Kairat Almaty. Both goals were a result of McLean running beyond the attack into the penalty area, simultaneously highlighting his impressive athleticism and work rate.
It has been argued amongst Dandies that McLean has not fulfilled his potential thus far, because of a need to be more disciplined and adopt more responsibilities within a side challenging in the top two. Based on the midfielder’s performances this season we have found that McLean’s best performances come when the midfielder is allowed to utilise his strengths as an attacking midfielder, as opposed to a deep-lying midfielder.
Some have also suggested that it has been a confidence issue after McLean failed to hit the net
in his first six months at Pittodrie. This was a sentiment that the former Aberdeen youth agreed with, citing an overwhelming relief to both Red TV and the newspapers. McLean told the Daily Mail: “My confidence is high and it would be a big thing for me if I could finally score my first goal at home for the club.” He went on to emphasise the importance of getting the monkey off his back early in the season: “Scoring the two in Europe has brought my confidence up a fair bit. I’m going out there every game feeling good about my chances.”
While the midfielder also stressed that it’s not about him but rather the performance of the team, a confident Kenny McLean is in turn good for the team. A midfielder that has a knack for scoring is perhaps something that Aberdeen need. Goals from a box to box central midfield position will relax the team as a whole and lift pressure from the likes of Rooney and Goodwillie. This is something that has been absent at Aberdeen recently with Peter Pawlett coming closest with seven goals consecutively in the last two seasons. While it’s not a bad tally, most would agree that Pawlett has struggled to build on an explosive period in the 2013/14 season, thus leaving room for McLean to make the ‘number ten’ role his own.
If McLean progresses through the season in the manner of which he has started, he could have a fifteen plus goal tally in all competitions. With a footballing head on his shoulders, strong positional awareness and the ability to drop deep to offer an alternative to his teammates, McLean has the attributes to be one of Aberdeen’s best attacking midfielders in recent times.
Arguably, this is the reason why he is more beneficial to the team than Pawlett and Cammy Smith. If we are looking to dominate opposition and keep possession for prolonged periods of time, McLean is the man to start against Kairat Almaty at Pittodrie on Thursday. McLean’s composure and expertise in executing the slide rule pass, added to the pace and skill of Jonny Hayes and Niall McGinn on the wings creates a potent attacking three behind Aberdeen’s lone striker.
For some time Aberdeen have not been able to attract quality players from within the Scottish Premiership, often losing out to Celtic and more lucrative financial offers from England’s lower tiers. The tide is turning, however, as in 2015 alone Aberdeen have coaxed three top quality players from rival clubs. The steps Aberdeen have made as a club have been huge under McInnes’ reign, and look set to continue.
Kenny McLean is certainly on board with the the vision at Aberdeen FC, citing the Dons supporters as his inspiration: “I always knew Aberdeen were a big club but I never realised just how big until I actually came here and saw how passionate the fan base is. A support like that does have a positive effect on you.”
statsandminiskirts.wordpress.com 