DEFENDER GOING NOWHERE AS CELTIC BID IS REJECTED

From Back Page currently sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained on the opening weekend of the season against Rangers, was the subject of four unsuccessful offers from Hull City in January. Aberdeen extended his current contract until 2023 in March, although Swansea City also explored a £3.5m move before the English transfer window closed last week. Capped four times for Scotland, the former Ayr United loanee will be named in Alex McLeish’s squad on Monday for the UEFA Nations League clash with Albania. And Aberdeen believe McKenna’s value will only increase if he holds on for a move to England. Under pressure to pay big money for reinforcements in defence after missing out on signing targets including John McGinn and Cristiano Piccini, Celtic may offer Ryan Christie, Jonny Hayes or both as a makeweight in any deal. Last night, Sportsmail columnist Kris Commons said he was unsure that McKenna would be able to make an immediate impact at Celtic, should the move go ahead. ‘I think he would be a good addition,’ he said. ‘But this boy has only played 60 competitive games, playing at Ayr United in 2017. ‘He’s not had a great deal of football, four international caps. It’s not the kind of centre-half you’re thinking that’s going to shore up the defence. ‘I think, at the minute, he’s one for the future. He’d be like a project. In 18 months, you’d probably see the best of him.’ Sevilla, meanwhile, have confirmed their interest in signing Boyata before the window closes next week. The contract rebel’s future is up in the air after he downed tools ahead of Celtic’s Champions League exit to AEK Athens, claiming he was injured. The Belgian international has been brought back into the first-team plans for tomorrow night’s Europa League qualifying play-off with FK Suduva. However, Sevilla are the latest club to declare an interest after Fulham, Olympiakos and Fenerbahce. Sports director Joaquin Caparros said: ‘Boyata is one of those players that we have been following for a while. ‘Defence is an area we need to reinforce. We must proceed calmly because there are many factors with a transfer that doesn’t just depend on ourselves. ‘The squad is balanced and impressive, but maybe there is something missing and we will try to address that.’ Celtic sources, meanwhile, have refuted reports in France of a £13.5m offer from Porto for midfielder Olivier Ntcham.