McLean Dismisses Neymar Distraction
The Neymar spotlight holds little interest for Kenny McLean, who says Scotland won't be distracted by one superstar name.
Steve Clarke's side meet five-time world champions Brazil in their final Group C game at next month's World Cup, with the South Americans boasting a 26-man squad packed with serial winners.
Headlining is Neymar, the samba star, who despite not playing for his country since 2023 amid injury struggles remains Brazil's all-time leading scorer with 79 goals.
Scotland's Focus on Team Success
Fresh from his own international call-up and speaking at the Nest after collecting a Community Player Award for his work with Norwich City's Community Sports Foundation, McLean was quick to brush off the prospect of facing the former Barcelona and PSG star.
"I don't think it's about any individual, it's about the occasion as a whole," outlined McLean. "We go there and, as I say, we have to embrace it and enjoy it but also compete."
McLean emphasized the importance of learning from past tournaments, stating, "It's probably something we haven't done well enough in the last couple of tournaments, so we'll take lessons from that."
McLean Reflects on Career Pinnacle
McLean's Scotland teammates have the City skipper to thank for ending the Tartan Army's 28-year wait for a World Cup finals appearance, his spectacular halfway-line wonder goal sealing a memorable 4-2 win over Denmark in last November's crunch qualifier.
Six months on and McLean is still not sick of it, reflecting, "It's the pinnacle of my career; it's something that will live with me for a long time. I want to look forward, enjoy the moment, enjoy the present."
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