McKenna can cut it in Premier League, says Vokes

SAM VOKES battled with Scott McKenna for more than 120 minutes on Thursday and endorsed the prediction that a rematch could soon be on the cards in the English Premier League.

McKenna has been tipped by Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes to bypass the current interest from relegated Swansea City and wait for top flight bids to land at Pittodrie.

The Championship club made an enquiry for the new Scotland cap last week before McKenna featured in the second leg of the Europa League clash with Burnley.

McInnes believes McKenna, 21, will become a better defender than £18million man Alfie Mawson, who is on his way back to the Premier League with Fulham.

Welsh international Vokes, who equalised in the first tie, emerged wiser about McKenna’s abilities from the Battle of Britain games.

He said: ‘You can see why big clubs down here are looking at (McKenna). He had a great couple of games against us.

‘Obviously, it’s the first time I’ve faced him, but I can definitely see why he’s being linked with a big move. He was

very strong in both ties.

‘There’s definitely Premier League potential in the lad. Actually, I saw potential in a lot of their lads. They were a very strong team, their squad as a whole was good. ‘You can see why they’ve been challenging Celtic over the last few years. ‘It’s still early in pre-season for us and they gave us a real test. ‘In the end, it took the full 120 minutes in

PILLAR OF STRENGTH:

Dons man McKenna (left) the second leg, so that shows how competitive it was, and how strong Aberdeen are.

‘We’re delighted to be through because it was a tough night — a tough two nights actually.

‘As we all predicted, there was a real “cup tie” feel to it. We weren’t really surprised by how much of a challenge Aberdeen gave us.

‘After getting the away goal, we wanted to bring them here and get it wrapped up in 90 minutes, but it wasn’t to be.

‘That’s because it was a good, hard battle. But we got the job done in the end.’