By scoring against St Johnstone, McLean became the first youngster to score for the Buddies since Stephen McGinn's goal spree two years ago. In the same game, McShane made his first start - becoming the first home grown Saints forward to start a game since David McKenna made his only Saints start on New Year's Day in 2007. Two stats that were in desperate need of being consigned to the record books.
While this is McShane's first real season in the first team squad, McLean made the breakthrough last season and quickly established himself in the squad thanks to his vision, passing and shooting. He landed a new contract after just a few games and big things were expected of him this season. After a slow start, he seems to be delivering - which is why Burnley are supposedly watching him.
It could have been so different. The story goes that Gus MacPherson - who pretty much ignored our youth system in his final season - wanted to release McLean after he returned from a loan spell with Arbroath. However, Danny Lennon saw things differently. McLean's debut came against Hamilton last season and Lennon's reasoning pretty much sums up the difference in his approach to youth and that of his predecessor. Trailing the Accies by two goals, Lennon felt we had nothing to lose and would rather chuck a kid on than Garry Brady. McLean arguably changed the game and we salvaged a point.
McLean may well follow in the footsteps of Simon Lappin and McGinn by earning himself a move down south. Lennon has been singing his praises recently and the Cambuslang kid who was let go by Rangers certainly has the talent to get to the top - and that long term contract ensures we'll reap the rewards when someone tries to take a chance on him. It's up to him - if he applies himself properly he will go far.
While McLean had a running start when it came from trying to establish himself this season, McShane is pretty much having to do it from scratch. Like McLean, he's been on loan at a lower league club and rattled in goals for Dumbarton last season after overcoming a broken ankle. He is held in such high regard that that earned him a two year contract - and trialist Craig Sutherland wasn't signed in a bid to give McShane his chance. Considering Sutherland was picked up by Blackpool, the Saints coaches obviously think he's something special.
McShane has height and power, but also seems to have a bit of place. Being able to work with someone like Steven Thompson in training will do wonders for his game and he has the potential to establish himself over the next few years. Once he got one goal for Dumbarton he scored plenty more, so there's no reason to think he can't do it in the SPL.
While McShane's start in Perth ended a near five year wait for a young Saints striker to make a start, it's even longer since one scored for the Buddies. If John Baird counts - bearing in mind he came from Clyde - then the opening day of 2005/06 was the last youth striker goal. If he doesn't, then you have to go to McKenna - in a Scottish Cup game against Airdrie in January 2004! It's nearly 10 years since Steven McGarry left and Baird and McKenna are the only youth system strikers to have scored since and they managed just a handful between them. So, almost by default, McShane could end up becoming our best young striker in a decade!
Obviously it's been harder for young players to establish themselves since we got promoted, but Lennon has faith that there are plenty of talented players at the club. Midfielder Jamie McKernon and keeper Adam McHugh are well regarded and have been sent on loan to get some experience. The same goes for defender Dominic Kennedy and striker Bradley Coyne, with fellow forward Thomas Reilly - a sub against Hearts - also tipped for stardom. It's not just McLean and McShane that have a potentially bright future.
With the facilities and coaches we have, there is no reason these players can't make it. They will be given every chance by the current management team. It's up to the youngsters to take that chance when it comes.
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