McInnes fearful of moves for McKenna
DEREK McINNES is unsure whether Scott McKenna will be on the plane to Croatia this week after confirming Aberdeen have rejected bids of £3million for the defender from Queens Park Rangers and Nottingham Forest. Fresh from yesterday’s thrilling 3-2 home win over Hearts, the Dons travel to face Rijeka in the third qualifying round of the Europa League on Thursday night — the same day as the English transfer window closes.
Sportsmail understands QPR boss Mark Warburton is now considering a move for Hamburg’s former Rangers defender David Bates instead of McKenna, but McInnes would not be surprised if there is fresh
interest in his Scotland international centre-half this week. Asked if McKenna will be on the plane, McInnes replied: ‘Who knows? But if there is no action then he will be. ‘I don’t know if there was a written offer from Nottingham Forest but there certainly was one from QPR on Friday. ‘It was a slight increase but not enough for the club to accept. ‘Who knows what will happen? It’s up to the buying club to make my chairman think differently. But as it stands, Scott will stay with us.’ McInnes was thrilled by his side’s battling spirit as they came from 2-1 down to beat ten-man Hearts — just 72 hours after hammering Chikhura Sachkhere of Georgia in their second-round Europa League qualifier. Sam Cosgrove had put Aberdeen in front yesterday, only for Hearts to fight back with goals from Steven Naismith and Jamie Walker. After Gorgie teenager Aaron Hickey was sent off, however, Cosgrove scored his second from the spot before Ryan Hedges grabbed a late winner. The victory ensured the Dons will go to Croatia brimming with confidence. McInnes said: ‘It was a cracking game with plenty in it. We were brilliant. We looked down and out but we kept going and we carried the fight to Hearts. ‘The crowd was brilliant, too. They had an appreciation that a lot of my players were running on empty after their European exertions. ‘It was a really good afternoon and Pittodrie was at its best in the sunshine with the fans going home happy. ‘Now we travel out to Croatia on Wednesday and another huge effort is required.’ McInnes hailed Cosgrove for his all-round play as well as his double as the Dons striker made it eight goals in his last five games. ‘Sam Cosgrove was terrific,’ he said. ‘He led the line well today and it was great to see him get two goals against that level of opposition. ‘Craig Halkett, Christophe Berra, John Souttar, Clevid Dikamona — they all knew they had been in a game today. ‘Sam’s a proper centre-forward and he’s Adam Rooney-like when it comes to scoring penalties.’