Ambitious McLean aims to fight for place

main will need to watch out after St Johnstone sign under-21 goalkeeper

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SCOTLAND under-21 goalkeeper Euan McLean will not play second fiddle to veteran Alan Main after turning his back on Dundee United to team up with former Tannadice goalkeeper Main at St Johnstone.

McLean, 22, signed a two-year deal with the Perth club. He said: “It’s a chance I couldn’t let pass. I’ve got great respect for manager Derek McInnes and Tony Docherty and the opportunity to work with Alan Main is one I’m looking forward to. But I’ve not come here to play second fiddle, although I know it’ll be hard to displace Alan.

“I watched the semi-final with Rangers and his performance was incredible.

“He remains one of the best goalkeepers in Scotland.”

McLean had to leave United to advance his career. He said: “I thought I’d done well when I played. But Lukasz Zaluska got in the team and did well, so I wasn’t in Craig Levein’s plans. And rather than find myself understudying Lukasz it’s better to move somewhere I’m going to have a chance of playing.

“I was speaking to a few other clubs. But Derek and Tony made it clear how much I was wanted at St Johnstone.”

New Vale co-managers Stuart Glennie and Scott Anderson reluctantly dispensed with the services of Ewen, who scored 24 goals this season, after the player made clear his desire to leave Princess Royal Park.

Glennie said: “When we came on board Mike said immediately he wanted to move on in the summer.

“We are not so stupid we would allow our second leading scorer this season leave without a fight but Mike was adamant he would not change his mind.

“Scott and myself are not the sort of guys who will keep an unhappy player at a club and it was with great reluctance we put him on the transfer list.

“It just so happens Huntly expressed an interest in him at the same time they had placed Gary on the transfer list and he was a player we were keen to bring to the club.

“When both players agreed to join the other club it made sense to do a deal. Gary is a match-winner and I am sure he will respond to the crowds we get at Banff.”