Rangers, who had seen a decline in their fortunes over the previous few years, offered McLean the job as their manager later in 1983. McLean engaged in early negotiations with the club; one of his main problems with the job offer was Rangers' policy of not signing Roman Catholics, a policy McLean found a ridiculous restriction for any employer as his United team included players from both faiths. Despite the Rangers chairman assuring him that this policy would be scrapped if he accepted the job, McLean declined their offer. McLean later said that although moving to Rangers would have been better for his career, it was not the only factor in his decision to stay at Dundee United. His family were happily settled in the Broughty Ferry area of Dundee, and in June 1984 he turned down an offer to manage English club Newcastle United.