Heart & Hand provide clear update on McLean situation as transfer nerves start to jangle
07/03/2024 09:25 AM
Rangers have had their fair share of transfer disappointment already this summer.
First, a deal to bring Jose Cordoba to the club collapsed when the goalposts shifted as the Ibrox treatment failed to convince the Norwich-bound centre-back.
Then there was the high-profile pursuit of Peñarol's Damian Garcia, which appears to have ended in disappointment despite TransferRoom meetings in Cancún.
The situation with Albion Rrahmani is also being followed closely by Gers fans, with Rangers apparently priced out of a deal before reports spread regarding interest from Sparta Prague.
News has also broken that Bayern talent Yusuf Kabadayi – another Rangers-leaning journalists insisted was heading towards Ibrox – is to stay in Germany with Augsburg.
Throw in Todd Cantwell's calamitous links to Serie A and we're having quite the week.
But as Rangers change transfer tact to bring in experienced players, the disappointment doesn't end there.
Kenny McLean to Rangers off the table
Only a couple of days ago did it look like a move for Kenny McLean was a sure fire thing at Rangers.
The 32-year-old Scotland international is a dyed-in-the-wool bluenose and after six years of service at Norwich the suggestion was the midfielder was ready to return home.
But only a few days later it's being suggested that a deal to bring McLean to Ibrox is now off the table.
According to Heart & Hand host David Edgar, the deal has fallen apart after Rangers were unwilling to meet McLean's demands over the length of any contract.
"The conversation (didn't) go anywhere after it became clear that the two parties couldn't agree on a length of contract," Edgar told the platform's Daily Update (03/07/24).
"With Rangers not wanting to offer Kenny McLean the length of contract he was after and neither side being unwilling to back down on that.
"That is of course because of his age, he is 32.
"Rangers didn't want to get tied down on an expensive contract for the player, maybe three, four years or whatever.
"He would cost a few bob in terms of wages Kenny McLean so Rangers have decided to go elsewhere and look at other options."
Rangers transfer nerves palpable
We're a few days out from Rangers jetting off for a pre-season camp and amid yet more transfer disappointment, the nerves are palpable.
Rangers director of recruitment Nils Koppen has been tasked with bringing in a mixture of valuable youth prospects and experienced campaigners to mount a title tilt next season.
Philippe Clement has been clear that a balance between the two will be vital to achieving the club's aims this season.
Given that a number of high-profile transfer deals – albeit the likes of Rrahmani and Garcia have never been confirmed – you can sense the frustration in the support.
Throw in the fact there is no academy director or no CEO place, and that Ibrox won't be available to play in for at least the first month of the season, and suddenly a perfect storm is brewing.
Let's hope Nils Koppen and Philippe Clement have a shortlist of other options with fans starting to get more than a little antsy about the current state of the first team squad.
