McKenna just happy to be back with squad for Serbia showdown

Scott McKenna knows it will be difficult to regain his Scotland place after missing out through injury last month.

But the Nottingham Fo r e s t defender is delighted just to be back involved ahead of one of Scotland’s biggest games in recent years.

The defender won his 15 th and 16 th caps in September, as Scotland began their Na t i o n s League campaign by picking up four points in games against Israel and the Czech Republic.

However, he missed out through injury last month and saw the likes of Declan Gallagher and former Aberdeen teammate Andrew Considine step in to a back three which did not concede a goal in three matches.

One of those clean sheets set up victory over Israel and the chance to qualify for Euro 2020 by beat ing Serb ia in Belgrade in a one-off tie tomorrow night.

On his prospects of regaining his place, with Kieran Tierney also available again, the centre-back said: “It will be very difficult. When defenders are getting clean sheets I don’t think they expect to be taken out of the team, but I am just delighted to be back involved.

“It was hard missing out last month through injury and watching in, but I was still in the group chat with the lads and was absolutely delighted for them.

“I thought the three performances last month were absolutely excellent. I really enjoyed watching the games.

“We were solid at the back, but carried a threat going forward. It was almost the perfect team performances.”

McKenna, who turns 24 tomorrow, added: “Being part of the squad, you just want to push and you want the best for everyone.

“Whoever is playing will be doing their best to help us qualify. It’s up to the rest of the lads that aren’t playing as well to be there to support and push as hard as they can.”

McKenna has quickly established himself at the heart of Forest’s defence following his big-money move from Aberdeen, despite the man who s igned h im , Sabr i Lamouchi, getting sacked one ma t ch in to McKenna’s City Ground career.

The former Ayr and Alloa loan player has s ince made seven appearances under new boss Chris Hughton, only losing once, and has won his last two matches while scoring his first goal for his new club.

“It d o e s n’ t matter where you are playing, if you are winning games and being part of good team performances, you are always going to feel confident,” he said.

“But obviously to go down there and play as many games as I have in such a short space of time, it’s a real confidence booster for me.

“It’s obviously difficult when you go in and t h e r e ’s a change of manager so soon, but Chris Hughton has come in and showed faith in me, which gave me more confidence.”

Former Aberdeen stopper Scott McKenna is fit again.