MORTON defender Brian McLean has welcomed the SPFL’s decision to introduce concussion substitutes at the beginning of next month.

Following on from a vote by all 42 clubs, the use of concussion subs has been approved and the rule will come into force from March 6 until the end of the season pending further review.

And the former Falkirk and Hibs man believes that it has been a long time coming.

Recently fears have been raised over the impact of head injuries in sport, with a number of former footballers - including ex-Scotland international Gordon McQueen - suffering from conditions such as dementia in later life.

McLean hopes that the rule will be in place for the foreseeable future and can prevent any further damage once players hang up their boots.

He told the Tele: “I think it’s a great decision that concussion subs have been approved by the SPFL - it’s something that’s needed addressed.

“It’s crazy the number of head knocks that players get, even the number of head knocks that I used to get back in the day, and they weren’t dealt with in the right way.

“I can remember when I was at Falkirk and we were away up playing Aberdeen at Pittodrie and I took a really bad one.

“I’d gone off and the physio had asked me what the score was, and I’d replied with ‘We’re beating St Mirren 2-0’. I was in a totally different world.

“But back then it was take a couple of minutes to sort yourself out, take a breath and I was away back on the park, but that’s when you need the professionals to step in and say that he needs taken out the game, it’s dangerous for him to be out there.

“Football can be the be all and end all for some folk, but there’s more to life and you need to look after yourself and your family because it’s them who will be picking you back later on.

“It’s a good step forward, especially in our league with the physicality, there are always elbows flying about.

“You’ve obviously got the player's point of view, where they’ll be adamant that they’re fine, but you just don’t know what’s going on in there. It’s so complex and delicate.

“It’s good that something is in place to take it out of a player and manager's hands. Taking things like that out of the equation is a massive step forward.”

McLean says that he is back to enjoying playing this season after becoming a mainstay under both David Hopkin and Anton McElhone.

He believes that the work he is putting in off the park is helping recoup the years he lost to significant injuries in his younger years.

He said: “I’ve really been enjoying the playing side of things this year.

"I’ve been playing with a smile on my face and encouraging lads round about me.

“Players have been stepping up, big Sean McGinty has been magnificent in becoming captain and Kyle Jacobs coming back into the side too.

“That’s the thing, I want to be able to contribute on a Saturday with these guys and that’s what I’m doing at the moment.

“When that doesn’t become the case, that’s when I’ll need to take a look at things.

“I’m still feeling fit and fresh, recovering as best as I can after games.

“I’m doing all that I possibly can to give myself an extra few years at this end of my career that I’ve missed out on at the beginning of my playing days.”