Brian McLean admits the chance to work with boss Danny Lennon was a big factor in his move to Clyde – as the veteran defender looks to a future in the dugout himself.
The former Motherwell and Falkirk centre-back – who started his career at Rangers – turns 38 in February and is now very much in the twilight of his playing days.
So thoughts are turning to management with a UEFA ‘A’ coaching licence under his belt and a role with Kilmarnock’s academy alongside his duties at Clyde on a part-time basis.
Rutherglen-born McLean joined the Bully Wee earlier this month after leaving Championship side Morton in the summer and has been handed the armband by Lennon. He has started all of their Premier Sports League Cup matches, including last week’s 2-0 win against his former employers.
While he feels he still has plenty more to offer in a playing capacity, the experienced head admits working with Lennon, a Scottish League Cup winner with St Mirren in 2012, is huge for him.
He said: “The manager has obviously operated at a higher level and won things, more importantly, so I’m looking beyond this year and I’m looking at both sides of the fence.
“I’m looking to learn and absorb as much as I possibly can and, for me, there’s no better opportunity for me right now than Clyde Football Club.
“I’ve done my A licence so I have ticked that box and I’m coaching in at Kilmarnock as well.
“It’s very natural for me and my passion is at the forefront of everything.
“I want to continue coaching on the park and being involved in occasions like the league cup have been great so far, but the league is what we will be judged on.
“It’s been such a rollercoaster ride for me over the last couple of years.
“I had to take the emotion out of it at the end of the season there and I think it was important for me to do that.
“Before I knew it, I was getting up at 7am doing a session before I did the school run. I managed to get a bit of time away with my family but I was still up at 6.30am in Spain doing a session to make sure I’m in shape for when the phone goes.
“I still had that itch to play and, thankfully, Clyde have given me a great opportunity and a great opportunity to learn off the manager.
“How the club is run has really impressed me as well. They approach things in the proper manner, they did everything through the right channels.
“I’ve only been signed for a couple of weeks now but I’ve played a few games quickly so we’ve learned a lot about each other in such a short space of time.
“That’s a challenge for myself as well, going from full-time to part-time but the more time we have together on the pitch as a team, the more you will see us grow and mature.”
Clyde kick off their League One campaign on Saturday away to Queen of the South.
Lennon’s side finished eighth last season, just outside the relegation play-off spots, and McLean believes this term will be more competitive than ever with the likes of Kelty Hearts winning promotion from League Two and Queens being joined by Dunfermline in dropping down from last season’s Scottish Championship
McLean added: “I think League One will be the most competitive league out of the four in the SPFL this season so it’s up to us to go and stake our claim and make sure we apply ourselves properly.
“Whatever happens throughout the campaign, it’s all about how you react and we saw that against Morton the other week.
“Collectively, we reacted well to the Bonnyrigg game [a 2-1 defeat], even the subs coming on. We maintained our stability and got a second goal.
“It’s all about not looking any further than the next game.
“That’s how I’ve always approached things in my career.
“Make sure your fundamentals are spot on, look after yourself away from here – I know that’s difficult because a lot of the boys have got a full-time job and that’s another thing I need to adjust to as well – and give it everything you have.”
Clyde rounded off their Premier Sports Cup group with a 1-0 defeat away to Falkirk on Saturday, finishing bottom of the table.
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