Dons boss is backing McKenna for cap call

ALEX McLEISH made the step-up to the Scotland senior side at 21 — and Derek McInnes has told the reinstated national boss that Scott McKenna is ready to do likewise. The young Aberdeen defender, who has denied Iceland international Kari Arnason a regular first-team place at Pittodrie this season, is expected to be part of the Under-21 squad for their European qualifier away to Andorra on March 23. But Dons boss McInnes believes the friendly against Costa Rica scheduled for Hampden the same night would be the ideal place for McKenna to really show what he can do. McInnes has already spoken with Aberdeen legend McLeish, who should know the benefits of giving youth a chance after Jock Stein awarded him the first of his 77 caps against Portugal in March, 1980. Hearts defender John Souttar has already been linked with a call-up for the Costa Rica match and the trip to Hungary four days later, and now McInnes hopes McKenna will also get the nod alongside some of his Aberdeen team-mates. He said: ‘Regardless of Scott Brown’s retirement, I have players here that have a strong case for being involved. ‘Kenny (McLean) has already been involved and Graeme Shinnie has been in the squad but there’s no doubt McLean, Shinnie and McKenna recently have played really well. ‘I spoke to Alex last week and we had a chat about a few of my players. ‘McKenna has dealt with everything that’s come his way, so why not try him? ‘He’s going to be involved in the Under-21 squad and trying to get them qualified and I see a lot of merit in that as well. But he won’t let anybody down whatever squad he’s in. ‘He was magnificent against Celtic last weekend. I thought him and McLean were brilliant on the day and Alex would have seen that for himself on Sunday.’ Scotland’s friendlies in Peru and Mexico this summer have upset Celtic ahead of their likely involvement in Champions League qualifiers, but McInnes would be delighted if any of his men were selected. ‘It would be a boost for the boys to be involved,’ he said. ‘Whether that’s the games in March or at the end of the season, it’s an opportunity for them to catch the eye.’