‘It was easy to leave Ninian Park’

Jan 19 2008 South Wales Echo

STEVE MacLean has questioned his value at Ninian Park after landing the Bluebirds £500,000 with his record move to Plymouth Argyle.

Scottish international MacLean joined City for nothing when he made the switch from Sheffield Wednesday, where he was out of contract last summer, but yesterday he became the Home Park club’s most expensive acquisition.

Plymouth manager Paul Sturrock has given the City striker a three-and-a-half year contract after working with MacLean at Hillsborough.

“It hasn’t worked out for me in Cardiff and I wonder whether the gaffer (Dave Jones) never fancied me,” admitted MacLean.

“I want regular first-team football, but I seemed to be getting 10 minutes here and there off the substitutes bench.

“What can I do in that time?

“But I have absolutely no problem with Cardiff and wish them all the best for the rest of the season.

“My focus is now on playing for Plymouth on a regular basis.

“When Paul Sturrock came in for me it was an easy decision,” added MacLean, who first heard about a possible move on Thursday.

“I had a good time under Paul at Sheffield Wednesday and scored goals.”

MacLean is set to go straight into Argyle’s starting line-up for today’s Coca-Cola Championship clash with Southampton at Home Park.

Meanwhile, Bluebirds manager Jones is moving quickly to bring in a striker before the end of the January transfer window.

He has identified four players, all with Premiership clubs, who would fit the bill.

Derby County’s Robert Earnshaw is not among the four and will not be coming back to Ninian Park.