Former Glasgow Rangers defender Alan Hutton has backed his old Ibrox club in their move to bring Kenny McLean to Ibrox in the January transfer window.

The Lowdown: Rangers interest

It was reported last week that the Gers are ‘considering a move’ for McLean, and he is on their ‘radar’ ahead of 2023.

His contract at Norwich City is set to expire in the summer, meaning that he will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with a non-English club in January or sign as a free agent at the end of the season.

A small ‘fee’ would be required to secure his services in the winter window, and last summer, McLean admitted that he would be open and keen on a return to the Light Blues, after he was released as a youngster in 2008.

The Latest: Hutton backs move

Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton has backed a potential move for McLean in January:

“I think it would be good to bring him in at this moment in time.

“He gives you something a little bit different, he’s a left-footer. Midfield is somewhere that they have to improve.

“You look at the likes of Davis, this is probably going to be his last year. Jack, he’s into the last year of his contract and has had his injury problems. It’s something they’re going to need to fix.

“Kenny McLean, coming in at this moment in time, can help bridge that gap, if you want. He’s Rangers through and through, he knows what it’s all about. It didn’t quite work out for him as a kid.

“Long term, I think you have to be recruiting somebody younger for the future as well. I think it’ll be a mix and blend of both”.

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The Verdict: Smart move

Given McLean's experience, having played 490 senior games at club level, including in the Scottish Premiership (Transfermarkt), the central midfielder could certainly be a smart signing.

As Hutton alludes to, Steven Davis is not getting any younger at 37, while Ryan Jack's contract is also up in the summer.

Hailed as 'aggressive', 'competitive' and 'dynamic' by his former Canaries manager Daniel Farke, McLean will no doubt be up for the fight in the second part of the season, as the Gers look to get back on track following the departure of Giovanni van Bronckhorst.