Dons play down reports of Celtic McKenna interest

Aberdeen have not received any offers for Scotland international defender Scott McKenna amid interest from Celtic.

The Dons dismissed a report yesterday that the Hoops had tabled a bid for the Kirriemuir-born 21-year-old and indicated that they would not welcome any, given McKenna’s importance to their hopes for the season.

McKenna is sidelined until after the international break with a hamstring injury picked up on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership season against Rangers.

Celtic are in the market for a centre-back after Belgian international Dedryck Boyata professed his intentions to leave the club.

McKenna is under contract at Pittodrie until 2023 and has been on the radar of English Championship sides Swansea and Hull City.

The Tigers had four offers rejected for him in January with the final bid of £1 million being kicked out by Aberdeen.

Dons manager Derek McInnes believes the defender will bypass the English Championship and go straight to the Premier League when he eventually leaves the Dons.

McInnes also added that he rated McKenna as the best defender in Scotland after he finished last season captaining his club in a Scottish Cup semi-final and his country against Mexico.

Meanwhile, former Aberdeen loanee Ryan Christie has been linked with a move to Sunderland but it is understood no approach has been made to Celtic yet.

Christie returned to Parkhead after a second loan stint with the Dons last season but is frustrated at his limited opportunities at Celtic.

Scott McKenna is tied to Dons until 2023.