Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes believes midfielder Kenny McLean has now become an integral part of his Dons team – and not just because of his goals.
The former St Mirren captain who cost £175,000 in February, is the club’s leading-scorer at Pittodrie with his goal against Partick Thistle on Saturday his fifth of the new season.
It is an impressive return for a midfielder and while delighted with McLean’s goals the Dons manager believes there is much more to the player’s game as he displayed to huge effect at Firhill in Saturday’s 2-0 win.
McInnes said: “Kenny didn’t have as much licence to go forward on Saturday, but he creates things and to get five goals shows his growing importance to the team.
“He was outstanding and it was a really polished performance from him in a deeper role than he is used to.
“I thought he and Ryan Jack controlled the midfield, but Kenny still has licence to get forward and support the attackers. His overall game, from his passing, choice of pass, headers and his goal, was excellent.”
McLean played his part in his side’s 2-0 win against the Jags which extended the Dons’ winning start to the campaign to five matches.
The win has taken the Dons to second place in the Scottish Premiership, a point behind new leaders Celtic, and the sides will face off at Pittodrie in the first game after the international break on September 12.
McInnes believes his players are ready for the challenge but said the international break will give his side a chance to take stock before facing the Hoops.
He said: “We had 2,500 supporters right behind us on Saturday which shows how much they are enjoying the season so far and it was great to win a fifth game in a row for them.
“I would have taken 2-0 before the game. We’ve had three tough away fixtures in the five opening games and we have to be happy to come away with 15 points, four clean sheets, one goal conceded and several goalscorers.
“It has set us up well for the next game. There will be a lot of talk between now and the Celtic game so it is no bad thing to have a break. There will be a lot written about the game and it has all the ingredients of being a big match.
“I expect Pittodrie will be full and Celtic will be eager to get a result too, but we feel as if we will be ready for it and we are certainly looking forward to it.”