Dons star Kenny McLean today (Wednesday) took part in the Tesco Bank Community Festival at St Machar Academy, Aberdeen.

“It is great to come along and see the kids enjoy themselves. I enjoy coming along to these type of events and doing my bit. I hope my presence here might inspire a few of these kids and maybe one day they might play for their country. I have worked hard to get here and that is the one thing these kids need to learn to do for whatever career path they take. However football at this age should be all about enjoying yourself.

“Making my Scotland debut was a very proud moment.

“It is something you dream about since you were the same age as these kids. When you get a taste of it you want more. Its makes you hungry to be involved in future squads.

“Having so many Aberdeen players away on international duty shows how well we have done this season. Hopefully other boys in the squad will want to be involved.  

“As a player it makes you want to work even harder.

“Coming back into the Aberdeen dressing room this week, I am obviously full of confidence and looking forward to the remaining league fixtures. There is still a lot of work to do between now and the end of the season.

“There is still a lot to play for.

“Sunday is a big game but all the games between now and the end of the season are going to be huge games. But we just take it game by game.

“The boys who were not involved got the chance to have a little break and a chance to recharge the batteries.  

“I know a big crowd is expected so hopefully we can give them a result.

“We know it will not be an easy game but the three points are very important. It is a massive game

“We have proved people wrong at times this season. To get into the position we are in we have done well and there are still 21 more points available.

“There are always going to be set backs. It is a long campaign. But the important thing is how you bounce back from those set backs. In recent months we have showed a lot of character and after any setbacks we have had. It was a poor result against Motherwell, we know that, but we can only look forward to the Hamilton game on Sunday.

“Hopefully we can take our frustration of the Motherwell match out on Hamilton.

“I am confident we can do well in all the seven games. Where that would take us we would just have to wait and see.”

Kenny McLean was speaking at the Tesco Bank Football Festival at St Machar Academy in Aberdeen. Over 100,000 children have now taken part in the grassroots school’s programme.

This week local over 900 primary school children from across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire have taken part in fun filled Football festivals at the Garioch Sports Centre and St.Machar Academy.

The pupils from 15 different primary schools in the St.Machar and Inverurie network are the latest to have taken part in six weeks of coaching sessions as part of the Scottish FA’s flagship participation programme.

The primary schools attending the festival were: St. Peters, Cornhill and Kittybrewster.

Jo Martin, Head Teacher at ST. Peters RC School, said:

“It has been brilliant to have the Scottish FA coaches in the school. Pupils and staff learned so much during the six sessions in school and today has been a memorable end to a fantastic programme. The children have had so much fun learning new skills, being active and their confidence has greatly improved.”

Scott Duncan, Scottish FA football development officer said:

“The children from St. Peters, Cornhill and Kittybrewster Primary School have spent the last few weeks having fun and learning new skills as part of our six week coaching course. We’re proud to be helping them become healthier, happier and more confident whilst promoting the importance of an active lifestyle. The Tesco Bank Football Challenge is a well-established part of our primary school programme, and continues to go from strength to strength in Aberdeen City and Shire.”

Chris Newton, Community Manager at Tesco Bank added:

“We’re very proud that over 100,000 children across every school in Scotland have now benefitted from our UEFA Awarded programme, which has seen children grow in confidence, develop their skills and be active. We’re committed to creating a legacy in communities across the country and it’s fantastic to see so many children from Aberdeen enjoying themselves today at the Tesco Bank Football Challenge whilst keeping fit and healthy.”