The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
McKenna keen to become the head man
Dons defender wants to add goals to his game as he bids to help Scotland revive Nations League campaign
Preventing goals is Scott McKenna’s primary job as a Scotland defender.
But scoring them is also on his to-do list for next month’s crucial Nations League double-header.
The Kirriemuir defender was frustrated that his diving header from a second half corner didn’t level the scores in Sunday’s friendly against Portugal.
And McKenna is determined to start finding the net in the dark blue of his country as well as the red of his club, Aberdeen.
“I had a header that I should have scored and that would have been the equaliser and it would have been different,” he admitted.
“I was disappointed for a couple of seconds but once I got back into defence I’d forgotten about it. I actually forgot about it until we got back in the changing room and they reminded me.
“It was a big moment in the game and I should have done better with it. Scoring headers is something that I need to work on. I don’t score enough goals for a centre-back.
“There’s an onus on us to pop up with goals now and again, especially with the size of us. Even back at my club I need to be doing better.
“I don’t think I’ve scored with my head since I came into the first team so it’s something I need to work on.”
Sunday’s game against the European champions wasn’t without plus points for Scotland, according to McKenna.
“I think we started the game pretty well in the first half,” he said.
“We were brave on the ball and we moved it about really well. It was a bad time to lose the goal. One lapse of concentration and they punish you.
“It was just in those lapses of concentration you could see the quality they had and how clinical they were. I don’t think they really had many more chances than the goals that they scored.
“We can take the bravery we showed on the ball and the way we moved it early in the first half into next month.
“We got in between the lines a few times and caused them a few problems but we just couldn’t get the ball in the net.
“They were a very good team. Their movement and their sharpness really tests your concentration. If you switch off for a split second they’ll punish you and run off the back of you. At this level you need to be concentrated all the time, especially at centre-back.
“If we take any positive, we kept going and it was a very good goal from Naisy (Steven Naismith).”
The skill of fellow Don, Gary MackaySteven, in teeing up Naismith was also worthy of mention and McKenna believes the former Dundee United man took full advantage of his late Scotland call-up.
“He needs to keep doing what he’s been doing for us at Aberdeen,” he said.
“He’s been brilliant for us since the start of the season and if he keeps doing that then he’ll be giving the manager a decision to make. I think it certainly helped his case when he came on against Portugal, doing so well for the goal.”
Midfielder John McGinn insists belief is strong among the players ahead of their Nations League deciders despite the “confidence-shattering” experience in Israel.
The Aston Villa man felt better after Sunday’s encounter and vowed to stay strong ahead of the double-header as Scotland compete for a guaranteed Euro 2020 play-off spot.
“We’ve always got belief in ourselves,” he said.
“Obviously Thursday was a confidenceshattering night, a night where we all didn’t turn up and we know that.
“We had to restore a bit of pride and for long spells in the game we did that. But we know how important these next two games are. We are back to our clubs now but in four weeks’ time we will be ready for these games.
“The last couple of days were tough for everyone but when you’re a football player you need to stand strong, puff out your chest and realise criticism will come, the same way praise does.
“You are happy to take the praise when it comes so criticism is part of it, you just have to puff your chest out and show people what you are made of, and I think for long periods we did that.
“It was a short turnaround so we only managed to go over a few things, but we highlighted the main things and I think overall it was a better performance.
“We are still giving away silly goals which we all know and need to address. Overall a better performance, but still things we need to improve on for the two massive games coming up.”
Scotland boss Alex McLeish reverted to the 4-2-3-1 formation favoured by predecessor Gordon Strachan after his 3-5-2 came under much scrutiny.
When asked if the change of shape suited the players better, McGinn said :“It felt like it. I don’t know what it looked visually, but playing in it, we looked a lot more solid and created a lot more chances, albeit we only took one right at the death.
“I think it was a much more positive performance but at the same time we still gave away three silly goals.”
When asked whether he wanted the back four to stay, the former St Mirren and Hibernian player said: “That’s up to the manager and coaching staff to decide, I just want Scotland back at a major tournament.”