Nottingham Post

Hughton’s pedigree in second tier inspires Mckenna

BOSS’ RECORD ‘EXCITING’ FOR EVERYONE AT FOREST

- By JAMES PALLATT james.pallatt@reachplc.com @Jamespalla­tt

NOTTINGHAM Forest defender Scott Mckenna says Chris Hughton’s arrival is “exciting for everyone”.

The Scotland internatio­nal helped the Reds claim a first home win for new boss Hughton last week, scoring his first goal for the club in a 2-1 victory over Coventry City at the City Ground.

And after a poor start to season under former head coach Sabri Lamouchi, Mckenna says everyone is positive about the future under Hughton, especially because of his track record of success in the Championsh­ip.

“Hughton’s track record of success in the Championsh­ip means it’s exciting for everyone at the club,” Mckenna told the Daily Record.

Mckenna has been thrown straight into action since joining Forest from Aberdeen at the end of September – and he feels like he’s taken playing in the Championsh­ip in his stride.

“It’s not as big a jump as I was expecting. I don’t think the game in Scotland is as bad as people make it out to be,” he added.

NOTTINGHAM Forest youngster Brennan Johnson has been in “sensationa­l” form during his loan spell at Lincoln City.

And he caught the eye with a brilliant goal in the FA Cup at the weekend, as League Two side Forest Green Rovers were seen off in the first round.

Johnson netted a superb solo effort just past the hour mark as the Imps dished out a 6-2 thumping.

It was the 19-year-old’s second strike in nine appearance­s for Lincoln, after he joined the League One side on loan in September.

City writer Mark Whiley rated Johnson’s display as 9/10 for our sister site Lincolnshi­relive, saying: “Another sensationa­l performanc­e from the on-loan forward, who looks even more dangerous when he’s deployed through the middle.”

FORMER Nottingham Forest youngster Anel Ahmedhodzi­c has been making waves with his performanc­es in Sweden – and reportedly attracting significan­t transfer interest in the process.

The 21-year-old left the City Ground for Malmo in January 2019 and has developed into a key player for the Swedish club.

Earlier this month, Premier League giants Chelsea were said to have him on their radar and now “his profile has ended up on the list” of AC Milan, too, according to Calciomerc­ato.

Ahmedhodzi­c featured only once for the Reds first-team, when he came off the bench in a 3-1 Championsh­ip defeat at Newcastle United in December 2016.

But he has flourished at Malmo, making 30 appearance­s and scoring twice in a championsh­ip-winning season.

They are said to value him at 10m euros and while it is said he “is not considerin­g the possibilit­y of leaving” at the moment, Calciomerc­ato say it “is only a matter of time” – suggesting a move to Italy could be a possibilit­y.

Expressen say PSV Eindhoven have also scouted the midfielder but he told the Swedish outlet: “It helps me positively.

“It raises my confidence to know that I have such big clubs after me.

“I will always be interestin­g if I play this well, especially for Malmo, which is such a big club.”

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 ??  ?? Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson is on loan with Lincoln City.
Nottingham Forest’s Brennan Johnson is on loan with Lincoln City.

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