DARYL MCMAHON says an experienced Aaron McLean, returning to his Non-League roots, will provide the calmness needed in the promotion storm – just as Ebbsfleet set a potential star on his way with teenager Shilow Tracey joining Premier League Spurs.
The National League South table-toppers signed the 32-year-old striker after his short-term contract at League Two Barnet was up.
McLean made his name in Non-League with Aldershot and Grays, where he won the FA Trophy, before moving to Peterborough.
There, he won successive promotions and scored 67 times before going on to play in the Premier League with Hull City.
“As well as quality, he gives that experience and calmness because he's been there and done it,” McMahon told The NLP. “It was a no-brainer for us to have him in the building.
Challenge
“Az has been around the block and he's a hard-working type. That's the way he's been his whole career whether it's for Grays, Peterborough, Hull, Bradford or Barnet.
“He's bought into the plans of the club, where we want to go and how we work on a day-to-day basis. He could become a really big player for us and I expect him to.
“It's a challenge for him to come back to this level and prove himself again. It's a challenge and he'll have to do that, but I've got no doubt he will. He wants to achieve something with us.”
Just starting his football career is highly-rated winger Tracey, though the 17-year-old played just four minutes of first-team football for Ebbsfleet as experienced players were ahead of him in the pecking order. McMahon still believes Spurs have a talent on their hands.
“He's been training with our first team every day this year and, in different circumstances, he would play every week at this level,” said McMahon.
“When I started the academy at Ebbsfleet 18 months ago, Shilow came in. It's been well documented that he was late a few times and I got rid of him for three or four weeks. His mum phoned up and said, ‘He won't be late anymore, can he come back?' He wasn't late again.
“He's become more serious about his football, worked hard last year and developed quickly. He's seen how hard someone like Danny Kedwell works every day and understands it's not just about ability. You've got to behave right to be a successful footballer. He has the right attitude now.
“I've worked at Spurs' Academy, so I know he's at the right club. Tottenham have got a terrific history of developing players from the Academy into the first team.”
