--- source: thedugout.football generated: 2026-06-09T17:21:05.063Z data_provider: API-Football canonical: https://thedugout.football/clubs/norwich-city/news/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZWRwMjQuY28udWsvc3BvcnQvMjYxMjQyMjUua2VubnktbWNsZWFuLWRldGVybWluZWQtZGVsaXZlci1zY290bGFuZC13b3JsZC1jdXAvP3JlZj1yc3M --- # Kenny McLean determined to deliver for Scotland at World Cup | Eastern Daily Press - **Source:** - **Club:** Norwich City - **Original URL:** https://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/26124225.kenny-mclean-determined-deliver-scotland-world-cup/?ref=rss The Tartan Army are ready to take over North America next month, and Kenny McLean is determined to deliver success for them on the biggest stage. Almost three decades on from their last World Cup appearance, Scotland are preparing for the pinnacle of their modern history when they face Haiti in their Group C opener. Despite eight appearances at the tournament finals, the nation has never advanced to the knockout stage, something Steve Clarke’s current contingent are desperate to change. McLean is one of five Canaries players set to fly the Norwich City flag at the showpiece event, with both he and Anis Ben Slimane confirmed in their respective countries’ 26-man squads so far. The City skipper will travel north of the border next Tuesday to join up with his Scotland colleagues in Glasgow ahead of a farewell friendly against Curacao at Hampden Park on Saturday, 30 May. Kenny McLean regularly spends time at the Nest helping the Community Sports Foundation (Image: Adam Harvey) But with a week to go, McLean spent an evening at the Nest, the Norwich City Community Sports Foundation’s hub, where he gave his time to local youngsters and was presented with an award for his contributions to the foundation’s work over the past year. While there, on the day he received news of his call-up, the 34-year-old spoke about how proud he was to be given the opportunity to represent his country at a World Cup. “It’s 28 years since the country was at a World Cup, so it doesn’t come round too often for us,” said a beaming McLean. “Hopefully, it can be the case in the future because I think we are really growing as a nation and the players that we’re producing are really good just now. I also hope we don’t wait that long for the next one, but we need to enjoy this when we get it. “We also need to remember why we’re there; it’s to compete and do as much as we can, but I think it’s every young boy’s dream to be at a World Cup. “I’m very fortunate that I’ve got the opportunity to go and represent my country, and it’s one that I’ll do with immense pride, and I’ll give everything I can.” Not since the days of Paul Lambert, Colin Hendry, John Collins and Ally McCoist in 1998 has a Scotland squad experienced the feeling of a World Cup call-up, with McLean admitting the moment still feels surreal. “It’s so surreal. I’ve been involved since the manager came in, Steve Clarke, and he’s been incredible. 1998 was the last time a Scotland side went to the World Cup (Image: PA) “I never took anything for granted. Every opportunity I get to represent my country, I take immense pride in. “Again, I never take anything for granted, so when my name was there on the sheet today, it was just pure joy,” outlined McLean. “All the lads have been speaking all day, and the realisation is coming because seasons have come to an end, and that’s what’s next for us. You don’t want to look too far ahead while the season’s going on. Nobody does. "A couple of lads in the Premier League have still got a game or two left, while a few boys playing in Europe still have games to come, so they’ve still got work to do. But when we meet up next week, it’s going to be incredible.” While several nations have shared emotional squad announcement videos featuring players and their families, McLean explained Scotland’s own reveal was a far more understated affair. “No, Steve Clarke’s never actually done it in that manner in terms of what he does for his squad. “I’ve seen the videos online of people sitting waiting on the announcements, so Steve Clarke did his press conference at 12 o'clock, and we got an email maybe around 10, so that’s when the messages start coming into the group chat when you see everybody that’s there. John McGinn and Kenny McLean celebrate reaching the World Cup against Denmark (Image: PA) “An official group chat was started after the World Cup squad was named, so everybody was in that, and there was plenty of joy. Now that your name’s secure in there, it’s something to look forward to. “I took a week off after the season, but I’m already back working and getting ready, preparing as well as I can. I’ve got a lot of work to do in the sauna to try and acclimatise, but it’s going to be an incredible occasion. “Again, we don’t just want to be there to make up the numbers. We want to do more than we’ve done before, and no Scotland team has ever got out of the group, so that’s our first hurdle. We’re confident we can do it.” Two of McLean’s close friends from his time at Carrow Road, Grant Hanley and Angus Gunn, were selected in Clarke’s squad once again, providing a familiar presence to the group. “It’s a very similar squad to what we’ve had over the last few years. We’ve been successful together, and we’ve really grown as a squad. I’ve said it numerous times, but I’ve never been involved in a changing room like it. Kenny McLean will be joined by his close friend Grant Hanley in the squad (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) “It’s something special, and I don’t say that lightly. It’s incredible. Honestly, every time we go away, and I don’t want my wife or kids to hear me saying this, but sometimes seven or eight days isn’t enough. “It’s something where we want to create more memories together. We’ve already created great memories, but we want to go one step further,” he continued. “We want to do more, and we know we can do more. We’ve got the ability to do it, but it’s about going and producing it now.” Middlesbrough striker Tommy Conway missed out on selection through injury, something McLean can relate to after a knee ligament injury sustained on the final day of the season against Barnsley ruled him out of EURO 2020. “It is (heartbreaking) when you start thinking about that (injuries), but I would never ever disrespect this football club by not giving 100 per cent or by not going into every challenge. That's not me, I'll never do it,” insisted the Scot. Kenny McLean suffers final day injury heartbreak against Barnsley in 2021 (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd) “But of course, you see a couple of injuries happening, and I had it in the past when I missed the Euros. “Obviously, we had one last week with Tommy Conway, who I think had maybe done enough to get himself in the squad. It's devastating; it really is. Hopefully, he'll have many more to come in the future. “But thankfully, we've been lucky with injuries this time. Hopefully, it stays that way. As I say, a couple of Premier League games still left to go, European games, and the Scottish league has finished now. “Everybody's stayed fit and healthy, and hopefully, we can keep it that way.” While the Tartan Army are expected to be at the tournament in their masses, McLean is aware he will have plenty of support back home and from Norwich fans. “The match times are a bit crazy, but I’ve been assured by a lot of Norwich fans out in the city that Scotland will be their second team. “Unless we get England, hopefully, at some point. But we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. I’m sure people just maybe want me to do well, not Scotland,” joked the midfielder. “But it’s been amazing, the support that I’ve had throughout the city, and even here in Norfolk. “The match times are a bit wild, but our first game is on a Sunday, and there is a bank holiday on Monday in Scotland, so I’m sure they’ll enjoy themselves.” McLean’s Scotland boss, Clarke, was recently pictured at Colney handing him a milestone award after reaching 300 games for the Canaries, a moment that meant a lot to the Norwich man. “It was incredible. Obviously, I’ve been involved since the manager came in. I’ve not always played, but that’s due to the competition for places. “My position is the strongest that we’ve had in a long time in the country, but he’s always put his trust in me, always backed me, and I’ve always tried to give him as much as I can. McLean shares a close bond with Scotland boss Steve Clarke (Image: PA) “I think he appreciates that. He’s given me over 50 caps, so that shows the level of trust he has in me as an individual and in us as a squad. We trust him to take us as far as we can.” The past World Cups are not something McLean can remember very well as his cohort prepares to write a new chapter in Scotland’s history. “1998 was obviously the last time Scotland were there, and it's mainly just video and stuff that I saw of it. I know I’m old, but I was only six at the time. “So, not too many memories, but in Scotland, everybody knows about the game against Brazil and stuff like that. “Now it’s full circle; we’ve got the opportunity to play them again. Hopefully, we’re in a good position come that game, but there’s so much hard work to go.”