THE GOD COUPLE
Devlin & McKenna can be immortal pair like when Miller & Eck were all-powerful at Dons
They might never enjoy trophy- laden success like Miller and McLeish.
Any defender signing for Aberdeen will struggle to match that God-like partnership.
But in terms of potential Mikey Devlin and Scott McKenna, at 24 and 21 respectively, might just be the closest yet.
Derek McInnes would love to build his team around them.
Not only do they complement each other on the pitch – they’re best of pals off it and share digs in the city.
They could be the bedrock of any Dons success in the next five to 10 years.
The problem for McInnes is that the couple were almost spl itting up before they’d properly got together.
And with a January transfer window next up within months, they might end up separated after just six months. Aberdeen have already rejected bids of up to £6.5million for McKenna from clubssuch as Hull City, Swansea, Celtic and Aston Villa.
And if Devlin gets back to top form after long-term injury and shows the potential he had as a kid at Hamilton Accies, he’ll be on clubs’ radar as well.
Scot land cent re- hal f McKenna is a wanted man but his flat-mate doesn’t want him going anywhere soon.
No one was more relieved than Devlin when McKenna stayed put and he said : “Watching Scott, you can see he’s something special.
“The trust I have in him is huge because h e does the job so well. If I make mistakes he’s there to clear up.
“I see all of his attributes and it’s why I know he’s going to play at the top level.
“He’s the most rounded centre- back I’ve played with. When you talk about modernday defenders, there’s nothing he doesn’t have.
“He can defend, imposes himself on other players and is quick. He’s got everything.
“And he has a level head to go with it. That’s the most impressive thing.
“We live together and because he’s injured right now, I’ve been trying to keep him positive.
“But he’s so laid back, he takes everything in his stride. The problem is, I’ve had to do a bit more cook ing recently! Scott is focused on getting back into the Aberdeen team and is close now.
“From a selfish point of view, I’m delighted my big mate is still here after the transfer window.
“Scott’s a massive player for Aberdeen and will be key in what we want to achieve this season.
“Take him out, through injury or a transfer, and the Dons suffer as a result.”
I f McKenna had been negatively af fected by the speculation about his future, Devlin would have witnessed it first hand.
But he’s adamant that the Dons’ prized asset isn’t fazed.
Devlin has praised McInnes and the Pittodrie board for sticking to their guns – and says if clubs want him they’ll need to pay top dollar.
He said: “Scott doesn’t worry about the transfer talk. He just concentrates on the job he’s got
to do for Aberdeen. The injury probably took him out of the limelight a bit.
“But in the flat he just eats and sleeps. It’s like looking after a wean! He’s the most laid-back, down-to-earth guy I’ve met.
“Much has been spoken about this boy but he’s probably the quietest guy in that changing room.
“Yes, he’s got character and personality. But he keeps himself to himself and remembers what’s got him to where he is.
“Every club watching Scott can see the potential and how special he could be.
“But it’s up to Aberdeen to decide on his value and it’s then a case of whether a club is prepared to meet it. “The gaffer and the chairman will have a f igure but if clubs don’t pay it he’ l l remain an Aberdeen player. It’s pretty simple and Scott lets hi s footba l l do the talking.” Whatever happens wi th McKenna, Devlin isn’t the type to be content living in his mate’s shadow. After a serious knee injury in May 2017, he was out for a year and his own future was up in the air.
But McInnes showed faith in the defender by signing him during his rehab.
Devlin is aware of the gamble his manager took and wants to show everyone at Aberdeen that he can be just as important as his defensive sidekick.
He said: “When the manager said he wanted me it was a huge boost to my conf idence and belief. It was what I needed to hear. Knowing that he was keen to have me on board was massive.
“I’ve worked hard every day since to repay that faith.
“I knew I was signing for a far bigger club. I’ve relished the step up and the demands of playing for Aberdeen.
“It’s not acceptable to draw or get beat. The club match my own ambitions.”