Kenny McLean is on the brink of making history this summer as he strives to join an exclusive group of Norwich City players who have represented Scotland at a World Cup. The club captain has travelled north to join Steve Clarke's squad for upcoming friendly matches against Japan and the Ivory Coast, which could pave the way for his inclusion in the squad for the 2026 World Cup finals.
Achieving selection for a World Cup squad is a significant milestone for any Norwich player, a feat only accomplished by one other player in the club's history. That player is Robert Fleck, who made his Scotland debut on March 28, 1990, in a notable 1-0 victory over Argentina at Hampden Park. Fleck's strong performance earned him a spot on the plane to Italy for that summer’s World Cup, where he participated in a 2-1 group-stage win against Sweden and came off the bench in a narrow 1-0 loss to Brazil. To this day, Fleck remains the only player to have worn the Norwich shirt while featuring in a World Cup for Scotland.
Over the years, Norwich City has maintained its connections with the Scottish national team, yet World Cup appearances have been few and far between. McLean, who could potentially represent Scotland in 2026, is poised to write his name alongside Fleck in Norwich’s storied history.
Several players have donned the Scotland jersey while at Norwich, but only a handful have played at the World Cup. Willie Donachie, a defender, represented Scotland in the 1974 finals in West Germany as well as in Argentina in 1978. Although he did not take to the field in the former, he started both matches in 1978, including a memorable 3-2 victory over the Netherlands. At the time, Donachie was at Manchester City before making a brief move to Norwich in 1981, later returning to play for the Portland Timbers.
Asa Hartford is another notable name, having participated in all three of Scotland’s matches during the 1978 tournament, beginning with the clash against Peru. Like Donachie, Hartford was initially with Manchester City before transferring to Norwich in 1984, where he famously lifted the Milk Cup after scoring a deflected winner against Sunderland.
Norwich City's ties to Scotland extend beyond its players. Former managers Bruce Rioch and Paul Lambert both boast World Cup experiences. Rioch captained Scotland during the 1978 tournament, making history as the first England-born player to lead the national side. Lambert, who notably guided Norwich from League One to the Premier League, was part of the squad for the 1990 World Cup in France, although he did not see any action on the pitch. Read more about Sara Shines on Brazil Debut Despite Loss to France.
As anticipation builds for the upcoming friendlies, all eyes will be on McLean. With the possibility of securing a place in the World Cup squad, he has the opportunity to cement his legacy in Norwich City folklore, following in the footsteps of those who have represented Scotland before him.