Andy Walker says Kenny McLean is Aberdeen's key man
Wednesday 16 September 2015 11:13, UK
Andy Walker believes Kenny McLean will be the key man if Aberdeen are to pose a genuine threat to Celtic this season.
Derek McInnes' side beat the reigning Premiership champions on Saturday - a feat they failed to achieve in four attempts last season - to move clear at the top of the table and Walker says it can only be beneficial to Scottish football if they were to sustain their title challenge.
Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ he said: "We hope Aberdeen can take the title race all the way and we can have two teams going head to head until the end of the season. Derek McInnes has done a great job on very little money and they have recruited very well.
"Sometimes they can sit in and hit teams on the break, they have got great pace on the break and they carry a goal threat. They are one of the best teams at playing on the counter in Scotland.
"The one guy that has given them an added dimension is Kenny McLean. They signed him from St Mirren and he provides a goal threat from midfield. He times his runs well and he is a genuine goal threat.
"I think Aberdeen have come to life again. They have improved since last season. What I saw from the players on Saturday was a determination, a will to win which I think has been absent for a number of years. It is a bit premature to talk of Aberdeen winning the title but if they can push Celtic all the way then that would be good for Scottish football."
While Walker acknowledges the strength of Aberdeen's attack he says that it is the suspect Celtic defence that manager Ronny Deila needs to rectify.
"It will take Celtic time to adjust to the loss of Jason Denayer and Virgil Van Dijk," he said. "They were two extremely accomplished defenders who dovetailed perfectly and they had a good understanding with Craig Gordon.
"The goalkeeper is in poor form at the moment and in general Celtic are struggling to defend cross balls, not only from set pieces but also from open play, and it is something they have to work on and get sorted out quickly."
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