Football: Big Stevie starts a scramble; MACLEAN NOW BEING CHASED BY THREE CLUBS.

Byline: BY STEVEN RATTRAY

STEVIE MACLEAN has found himself at the centre of a scramble for his services next season.

And he's set to make his final decision on whose shirt he'll be wearing in the next 48 hours.

The 6 ft 3inch Forres Mechanics centre-half is out of contract at the end of May but he has had firm offers from three different clubs.

Maclean said: 'I had a meeting with the Forres chairman George Minty about a week after Steve Paterson took over back in January but I wasn't sure what was happening with Pele at that stage, so I didn't want to commit any further.

'At that time I knew Nairn were interested and I told Les Fridge I wasn't going to decide anything until the end of the season.

'George and Les then came back to me at the end of April but by that point Clach boss Robbie Williamson had also phoned.

'I almost have too many options and for the last two or three weeks I haven't really had much of a chance to think about anything else.

'It is a nightmare because there are positive points with all the teams and it is a very difficult decision to make.

'I have been warmly welcomed by everyone at Forres and that has to be a big consideration.

'I am also friendly with a few of the fans and it would definitely be a wrench to leave but I am also doing coaching at Ross County and I might have to fit something around that.'

Clach and Forres head the two-horse race to sign Maclean and the Can-Cans' decision to change training nights may be the clincher.

One bright spot amid all the uncertainty was that County's Under17s, who McLean helped coach last season, clinched the League Cup.

He added: 'This is the end of my second season doing coaching and can be very rewarding.

'The Under-17s I had last year are now officially the best in Scotland, having beaten Airdrie United in the Scottish League Cup at the weekend.

'Unfortunately, I missed the game as I was in Dublin for the end-of-season trip. I was gutted I missed the final and if the game had been on Sunday I would have taken an early flight home.

'It is great to be able to pass on the benefit of my experience even if a lot has changed over the past eight years.

'When I was their age I was offered the chance to go full-time with Ross County but the club did not have the set-up it has now.

'I was being farmed out to Nairn County and Brora Rangers and at the time I didn't think it was a good option for me but it is something I've regretted so it would be great to help a few of these lads become full-timers

CAPTION(S):

IN DEMAND: Forres star Maclean; ELRICK KENNY Pic