Full name Thomas McLean Name Tommy McLean | Playing position Role Footballer Years Team Position Midfielder | |
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Date of birth (1947-06-02) 2 June 1947 (age 68) Similar People Peter McCloy, Derek Johnstone, Tom Forsyth, Jim McLean, Charles Green | ||
Morton v Kilmarnock 12.5.84 (Tommy McLean interview)
Thomas McLean (born 2 June 1947 in Larkhall) is a Scottish former professional football player and manager. McLean played for Kilmarnock, Rangers and Scotland as a midfielder. He managed Morton, Motherwell, Hearts, Raith Rovers and Dundee United.
Contents
- Morton v Kilmarnock 12584 Tommy McLean interview
- Tommy Mclean v Celtic
- Early life
- Playing career
- Managerial career
- Player
- Manager
- References
Tommy Mclean v Celtic
Early life
McLean grew up in Ashgill, Lanarkshire, along with his elder brothers Jim and Willie, who would also become successful players and managers.
Playing career
A traditional tricky winger, McLean started his career at Kilmarnock, where at one point all three brothers were at the club together, Jim and Tommy as players and Willie as a coach. He was part of the Kilmarnock team which won the club's only league title, in 1964-65.
He joined Rangers in 1971 for £65,000 and was involved in the clubs famous 1972 Cup Winners Cup triumph. He went on to play 452 times for Rangers, winning three League championships, four Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups.
McLean was capped six times by Scotland, with all his appearances coming as a Kilmarnock player. He also represented the Scottish League XI seven times.
In October 2016 he was inducted into the Kilmarnock 'Hall of Fame' alongside other well-known former players such as James Fowler, Ray Montgomerie and Stuart McLean (no relation).
Managerial career
After his playing career he became Rangers' assistant manager. Thereafter he had spells in management with Morton, Motherwell, Hearts, Raith Rovers and Dundee United, before becoming Under-19 coach at Rangers.
McLean managed Motherwell for ten years, during which the club won the Scottish Cup in 1991. Motherwell defeated Dundee United, who were managed by his brother Jim, in the cup final.
His spell at Raith Rovers in 1996 was remarkable for lasting only six days and encompassing only one game; the lure of working under Jim, by then chairman of Dundee United, saw him quit Stark's Park for Tannadice amidst substantial acrimony.
McLean returned to Rangers in May 2001 as director of youth development, after he had held a similar post at Dundee United since October 2000.
Tommy is married to wife Beth. Their daughter Lorna was born in 1991.