McInnes hits out over ‘late’ McKenna bids

DEREK McINNES has accused English clubs of showing ‘a total disregard’ for Aberdeen’s Europa League preparations with their pursuit of star defender Scott McKenna. The Scotland international flew out to face Rijeka in Croatia with his Aberdeen team-mates yesterday, two days after submitting a transfer request which was rejected by the Pittodrie outfit. He has already been the subject

of failed bids from Queens Park Rangers and Nottingham Forest, while Sheffield Wednesday angered McInnes yesterday by making an approach as the squad were set to fly from Aberdeen. Last night, the Dons boss said English suitors have had all summer to do a deal for the 22-year-old, who is valued at £7million by Aberdeen, and were now disrupting his plans ahead of a crucial tie. With the English transfer window closing at 5pm tonight, two hours before the Dons kick off, McInnes said: ‘The team is picked and he (McKenna) is playing. We did our preparation in Aberdeen and, unless I am told differently, then Scott will be playing. It is hardly ideal preparation. ‘It is a Europa League game, a very important game, and these clubs have had the whole summer to do a deal. Any club who is trying to do a deal today has no consideration for us and total disregard for us on the eve of such an important game. ‘There is a degree of anger, frustration and contempt towards these clubs for trying to put their best foot forward now. Until somebody tells me that an offer is accepted, then Scott will play tonight.’ McInnes (left) is confident that McKenna will be in the right state of mind to play tonight despite the background noise over a potential move south. He said: ‘I have spoken to Scott, probably more than any other player in the last couple of weeks. He obviously has had a lot to contend with and there is a degree of sympathy from myself. ‘But he is an Aberdeen player and he has to continue to act

like an Aberdeen player and to perform for us, unless I am told differently. ‘I have such a high regard for the boy. He is the best of the lot, in terms of personality and we want the best for him. No doubt his move and everything will come for him in his career. ‘Whether it comes in this window, clubs have had weeks, the whole summer to put their best foot forward, to try and get him. If it doesn’t happen in this window then I am pretty sure it will happen in the near future.’ McInnes confirmed that the club are edging closer to a loan deal for Bristol City defender Zak Vyner. He said: ‘He is a player who is of interest to us but there is no news on that at this stage.’ Meanwhile, Stevie May’s proposed move to St Johnstone has collapsed for a second time. The out-of-favour Aberdeen striker had been set to return to his hometown club, but talks have broken down. The 26-year-old was set to join Saints last week and had even collected his training kit from McDiarmid Park, but the Perth outfit couldn’t agree a deal. Dundee are also keen on May, who had been eager to return to the club where he was a Scottish Cup winner in 2014.