McInnes wants ‘big ticket’ fee for McKenna
Derek McInnes last night warned Celtic they would be wasting their time coming in with a fresh bid for Scott McKenna before the transfer window closes on Friday. Aberdeen rejected £3.5 million for their Scotland internationalist from the Hoops this week. And following rumours yesterday that a renewed Celtic attempt was imminent, McInnes stressed his club’s intention to hold on to the player for now then eventually sell him to an English Premier League club for a “big ticket” fee. “We’ve had a conversation with Celtic and made our position clear, and they’ve accepted that,” he said. “I spoke to Brendan Rodgers and they’ve spoken at boardroom level. “It’s difficult to react to another rumour that someone is thinking about putting in another offer. “McKenna’s market, as far as I’m concerned, will be the English Premier League. “We are not in a position where we need to do a deal. “We want him to be a big part for us this season and for me he’ll go to the English Premier League, and we’ll get the bigger ticket on the back of that. “I’m very confident of that. “It’s not a matter of if, it is a matter of when he goes there.” The Aberdeen manager watched his team pick up a point from their 1-1 draw with Hibs at Easter Road. It was a result that continued their unbeaten start to the Premier League campaign but McInnes was left bemoaning the failure of referee Andrew Dallas to give his side a first half penalty and a numerical advantage for the remainder of the game. “For me the biggest talking point was the penalty kick,” he said. “Paul Hanlon has already been booked and he has made a genuine attempt for the ball. “The referee was in such a brilliant position so we credit him for that, getting up with the speed of play. “But, dearie me, how he didn’t give that penalty I will never know. “I have watched it back and there is no way Paul Hanlon touches the ball. “He just comes through and takes young Lewis down. “That is such a pivotal moment because it should be a yellow card and a penalty kick. “And coming away from home to play at such a difficult venue it would have been a huge shot in the arm at that stage. “It was the wrong decision.”