McKENNA IS PERFECT FOR BHOYS BLUEPRINT
Irvine not surprised by interest
APERFECT fit. Right under their noses. The only downside is a price tag designed, quite clearly, to scare them off. News that Celtic are showing interest in Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna — culminating in a bid in the region of £3.5million, which was swiftly rejected — can hardly have come as a shock.
Least of all to Dons boss Derek McInnes, whose recent valuation of the 21-year-old in the £18-20m range may have initially been intended to fend off Swansea — but would also have served to put suitors closer to home on notice.
If you want to sign a player under contract for the next five years, don’t try to get him on the cheap.
It has been quite a rise for McKenna, as the player himself readily acknowledges. Less than 18 months ago, he was spending Saturdays working out his frustrations in the gym — because he was unable to get a game for loan club Ayr United.
Two new contracts, one appearance as Scotland captain and a heck of a breakthrough season down the line, the powerful stopper with the impressive range of skills is a wanted man.
Former Aberdeen centre-half Brian Irvine fully understands why Brendan Rodgers, among others, would want to add such raw potential to his squad. Even if Celtic could not be expected to bust their transfer record on a domestically-sourced talent.
Irvine told Sportsmail: ‘If you break down his qualities, Scott’s got this presence. That’s partly down to his physical build, which is something you obviously can’t coach.
‘Along with that, though, he’s a good football player as well as a good defender. Put that together and you have to believe he’s got an exciting future ahead of him.
‘Being a good footballer is crucial for any defender going to Celtic. That’s one of the reasons why Celtic would be interested in him; his ability to use the ball.
‘Their style of play is building from the back and when they get in full swing, they’re hard to stop.
‘If you’re a neutral, it’s really good to watch — and the defenders are absolutely key to how it works.
‘Scott would fit into that style of play defensively but also in his use of the football. He’s a really excellent player. A really good defender and a good user of the ball, someone with great potential.
‘I don’t know how you value a player, personally. But I don’t think they could get £20m for him.
‘He’s an exciting prospect with a big future ahead of him. And he will move for a lot of money, if and when he goes. Just maybe not the full £20m.
‘The fact that Celtic appear interested might be a factor in that number. Aberdeen obviously don’t want to sell to one of their biggest rivals — so the big transfer fee might be there to scare them off.
‘Whether or not this happens, he’s going to make it big in the game. He has so much excitement ahead of him.
‘It’s hard to sell a star player to your rivals. So you do what you can to put them off.’
McKenna is one of those players whose reputation in the youth game preceded his actual arrival as a senior.
The Kirriemuir kid, with the Dons since he was 11, started out as a left winger before moving back to the left side and then the centre of defence.
Capped at Under-19 and then Under-21 level, he was widely tipped to make the grade. But had to go through loan spells at Ayr and Alloa to learn his trade.
Then, having made a couple of appearances in the first team, he picked the perfect moment to prove himself.
The venue was Fir Park last September, Aberdeen returning to the scene of their Betfred Cup humiliation by Motherwell just days earlier.
Having been turned over 3-0 on the Thursday night, McInnes threw McKenna into the starting line-up for the Sunday afternoon match — and the Dons managed to grind out a 1-0 win.
Among those who watched the youngster — who was still just 20 at the time — on the day, there was a realisation that he could be the real deal. Given a little time to develop.
To say things have moved rapidly since then would be an understatement. McKenna has become the first name on the teamsheet, injury permitting, of course.
And, with his four full international appearances including one very special shift as skipper , he is also uppermost in the thoughts of Scotland manager Alex McLeish.
‘He has already captained his national team in the summer friendly against Mexico,’ Irvine pointed out.
‘So yes, he’s maybe not had a long career at club level. But that’s a big thing on your CV, to captain Scotland.
‘All the things we say about his club career apply to Scotland. The sky is the limit for him. What he can do for Aberdeen, he can emulate with the national team.
‘He hasn’t done a lot in the game yet, so we’re not basing it on years and years of achievement. But the potential is obvious. He’s got a big future at Aberdeen — and then beyond, if that’s how it happens.
‘With younger players, you obviously cannot point to a long career and say how he’s done this or that.
‘It’s all about potential at this stage. But it’s exciting potential, definitely. He’s going to be a top, top player. I guess the only thing he will improve is learning through experience. That will make him a more rounded player.
‘That’s not a criticism. But there is no fast track around it. You need experience and that comes with a bit of age.
‘You learn from the good and the bad, you develop just through hour after hour on the training ground. It’s exciting to think how good he’ll become.
‘Aberdeen fans love their defenders. He doesn’t look as if he’ll be there for the long-term but, having said that, he’s on a contract until the summer of 2023.
‘So you never know. If he fulfils that, he will make himself a very popular player at Aberdeen. But, at this stage of his career, he looks as if he will move on and move up before very long.’