Aberdeen have opened talks with Rangers target Kenny McLean about extending the midfielder’s contract beyond next summer.

But Dons boss Derek McInnes remains realistic about the Pittodrie club's chances of holding onto the player, who began his career on the books at Ibrox.

Gers boss Pedro Caixinha has made no secret of the fact that he wants to sign McLean and reportedly had a cheeky £300,000 bid for McLean rejected by Aberdeen in June.

Rangers snapped up Aberdeen captain Ryan Jack under freedom of contract in May and, with McLean now well into the final year of his current deal, McInnes is acutely aware that he might be fighting a losing battle.

“We have spoken to Kenny and Anthony [O'Connor], who are out of contract as well as one or two of the younger ones,” McInnes revealed. “It has been ongoing. These things can take a bit longer but we are in discussions.

“I’m sure we will try to find a way to make both happen if possible. If we can’t then we will deal with it and move on.”