McKENNA POISED TO LEAD YOUNG SCOTS

IT’S a long way from Kirrie U/9s to Scotland U/21s but Scott McKenna has very successfully made that journey.

And the youngster who plied his early trade in the Dundee and District Youth FA can take another big step on his career path tonight if he captains the young Scots against Ukraine in a Euro qualifier at McDiarmid Park.

Hearts’ John Souttar was concussed i n the 1-1 McDiarmid Park draw against Latvia on Friday and, before l eaving the field, he handed the s k i p p e r ’s a r m b a n d to McKenna.

Souttar misses out tonight with Rangers’ Ross McCrorie likely to step in and replace him, playing in the heart of the Scottish rearguard alongside McKenna, the son of well known Tayside f ootball figure Ian McKenna.

Scott said his father has been a “massive influence” on him.

He went on: “My dad got me started and has been with me on the journey.

“I signed for Aberdeen when I was at U/12 level and now I have broken into their first team and I’m in the Scotland U/21s.

“I’ve shown Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes what I can do.

“I was meant to go out on loan in the summer transfer window but that fell through.

“I’ve worked hard and grabbed my chance.

“And, right now, I’ m hoping to play my part in helping us get three points this evening against Ukraine.”