Celtic drop interest in Mckenna

Brendan Rodgers says Celtic have ended their interest in Scott Mckenna after having their initial approaches for the Aberdeen defender rebuffed by the Pittodrie club.

The Parkhead side are on the lookout for a new centre-back and were keen on Mckenna. But after being given no encouragement by the Dons Celtic boss Rodgers will look elsewhere.

Rodgers, in Lithuania for the Europa League tie against Suduva, also revealed that Dedryck Boyata had not travelled due

to “physical issues”. Aberdeen are understood to have rejected a bid in the region of £3.5 million from the Scottish champions for 21-year-old Scotland international Mckenna.

Ahead of the first leg of the play-off against Suduva, Rodgers was asked if the Parkhead club would be going back to the Pittodrie side with an increased offer.

He said: “I don’t think so, no. He is a young player that I like.

“However the clubs have spoken and Scott, it was made clear, won’t be for sale, won’t be available in this window so that would end that.

“We need to strengthen the squad but what is important is that we strengthen with quality, I am not interested in bringing in just any players”.

Boyata, meanwhile, has been left behind in Glasgow despite training with the first team at Celtic Park yesterday.

The defender, whose agent has been involved in an angry stand-off with Celtic, was understood to be keen to move to England but the Scottish champions rejected a bid from Fulham.