McLean suffers long-term injury after horror tackle

Jul 23 2008 by Chris Black, Wishaw Press

MOTHERWELL’S preperations for the forthcoming season were dealt a bitter blow last week when it emerged that defender Brian McLean could be out for much of the campaign.

The 23-year-old centreback was left in plaster and on crutches following the pre-season friendly against Romanians CFR Cluj during ‘Well’s tour of Austria.

The defender played a pivotal role at the back for the Steelmen as they clinched third place in the SPL last season.

He has made over 40 appearances for the club since signing from Rangers in 2005 and his absence for however long will be a headache for manager Mark McGhee.

McLean was carried off an hour into the game against the Romanian champions, which ‘Well lost 2-1 following a controversial frree-kick in the dying minutes.

The towering stopper was the victim of an extremely poor tackle by CFR Cluj’s hotheaded Argentinian striker, Diego Ruiz.

Scans have since shown that McLean has suffered damage to the cruciate and medial ligaments in his leg and it looks likely he will have to sit out the vast majority of season 2008/2009.

On a brighter note for ‘Well fans, McGhee moved a step closer yesterday to sealing the services of Celtic defender John Kennedy.

The Parkhead man would join Motherwell on loan until the end of the season and could well be the answer to the Fir Park side’s defensive frailities.

It could prove to be a risky move for Motherwell, however, as Kennedy has been plagued by injury throughout his career. He has also suffered at the hands of Romanian opposition when he was crocked on his Scotland debut in 2004.

The 24-year-old from Bellshill was ruled out of first team football for thee years and suffered further anguish in November last year when he picked up another knee injury while on Champions League duty for Celtic.

But McGhee remains a fan of Kennedy and took the defender on the club’s pre-season tour of Austria.

Meanwhile, shamed former ‘Well captain Paul Quinn has stated his determination to rediscover top form and repay manager McGhee’s faith in him.

While Quinn still maintains he is entirely innocent of his conviction for assault outside a nightclub earlier this year he realises he must put the incident behind him.

He said: “I loved wearing the armband and I want it back.

“It’ll be a huge blow not to be skipper for our first SPL game next monthbut as long as I’m playing I can win it back.

“At the very least I can go on to be a better player and better man for this whole experience.”