Ahead of the winter break this week Kenny McLean spoke to RedMatchday Magazine:
“I am definitely in favour of the winter break, especially after a heavy period of fixtures and especially for us as we came back so early in the season. We have been playing games since the end of June. It is the first time I have experienced the break. One year, I got a couple of weeks off in January because of an injury. I actually felt the break at that time helped me over the remaining months of the season.
“You always hear of a lot of games being postponed anyway during that time, so I think it is a good opportunity for the boys to get recharged. We will all be coming back and ready to go again, starting with the cup game against Stranraer”.
A home tie is always crucial in the cup, not least because 2016 saw the Dons in good form at Pittodrie.
“The fans are obviously a factor, they are right behind you. We have obviously got great away fans, everyone sees that. Wherever we go, we take a large travelling support. The boys are grateful for that, but when you are at home you do have that extra little edge. You are familiar with the surroundings and you know everything about the pitch. Most teams will be the same.
“This calendar year we have only lost a few games at home in all competitions, and a couple of them were at the end of last season when things were done and dusted a bit from our side. They were a couple of sloppy results, so it is really only Celtic that we have lost to. The home form has been great and it is something we will look to continue in 2017.
“Some of the games this season, especially when it the stadium has been full, it really does give you a massive lift. There have been games – the St Johnstone cup game is a good example – when it is tight going into the final minutes and the fans really help push you over the line”.
Kenny has enjoyed a strong year home and away too, receiving his first call up to the senior Scottish side in March 2016, making his debut in a friendly against the Czech Republic.
“I think I am finding a level of consistency.
“I have played most of the games in the middle of the park. That has helped me find some consistency. At times, I have played various positions, it is not a problem at all to me, but it maybe had an impact on my form. At the start of the season, I didn’t think my form was great but that was down to me alone. I think I have picked up a bit recently and things are going well. Long may it continue. If I am playing well, hopefully it is helping the team to do well.
“I’ve got a good partnership with Ryan. We have known each other for a long time, we know how we play. We’ve played beside each other for a long run of games now. It is good to get stability and the performances have been good apart from a couple of blips.
“Having played a lot of minutes together, we have built up an understanding, so it now comes quite naturally. I like to get into the box and Ryan recognises that and with his awareness of the game, in situations like that he will fill in. Vice versa, if Ryan wants to hit the box, I am more than willing to sit in. So the understanding is good and it’s going well.
“It’s important we get a share of goals. Having more guys scoring has helped take a bit of pressure off Adam. The last couple of seasons we have been totally reliant on Adam getting 20 plus goals. It would be great if he still got that, and I am sure he will have that target himself, but the more players that are contributing, the better”.
“It’s important we get a share of goals. Having more guys scoring has helped take a bit of pressure off Adam. The last couple of seasons we have been totally reliant on Adam getting 20 plus goals. It would be great if he still got that, and I am sure he will have that target himself, but the more players that are contributing, the better”.
