Former Glasgow Rangers midfielder Barry Ferguson says it is 'no secret' that Norwich City's Kenny McLean will end up at Ibrox.

The 32-year-old has consistently been linked with a return to his boyhood club, where he spent nearly two years before turning professional.

That speculation has never turned into a move, however, with McLean's Carrow Road stay extended when he signed a new contract last year. He also won the Canaries' player of the season award in April and has been a key part of new head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup's setup so far.

But Ferguson still believes it's a distinct possibility that the Scotland star goes north of the border, having improved his game in more than six years at Norwich.

“There’s no secret of that," he said, asked on the Go Radio Football Show whether he thought a deal would eventually happen.

"There was a lot of talk in the summer, and I mentioned that it’s an area of the pitch that Rangers need experience. Especially the last two games for Scotland, he stood out.

“He’s learned a lot since his younger days at St Mirren before going to Aberdeen, and I think he’s come on leaps and bounds since going down to England.”

McLean has spoken previously about the lure of the Scottish giants, but quashed fears over his future when speaking to the Pink Un in July.

“I don’t think that I need to speak too much on it to be honest, in terms of if it’s true or not,” he said. “It isn’t affecting me at all. I’m here, I want to be here and I’ll continue to be here.

“I’ve always had a good relationship with the fans and I’ll continue that for the next couple of years. I hope [the contract] does speak volumes.

“It was a pretty similar situation last year when there was talk and I committed my future to the football club. The football club also committed to me. I don’t see why that would change.”