It’s a full-time job looking after Scotty off the pitch but he looks after me on it
Devlin lifts the lid on his life as one half of Aberdeen’s Odd Couple with chilled-out flatmate McKenna...
MIKEY DEVLIN is part of Aberdeen’s Odd Couple with flatmate Scott McKenna as he spends most of his time looking after him at home but follows the defender’s lead on the field.
The 25-year-old revealed he’s more domesticated but a worrier compared to his chilled younger team-mate whose relaxed nature has helped him become a key man at Pittodrie.
The duo also had contrasting seasons with McKenna, 22, a mainstay in the Dons’ defence while Devlin endured a frustrating spell as he failed to hit his own high standards after suffering an injury on Scotland duty last November and spent a lot of time on the bench at the end of the campaign.
But while the pair may be very different characters, they are united in their quest for success in Saturday’s Euro 2020 qualifier with Cyprus at Hampden.
Devlin said: “I stay with big Scotty – looking after him is a full-time job. He’s been brilliant for us. He’s very laid-back, whereas I’m a bit more of a thinker and worrier.
“That translates to how he performs on the pitch. He’s had a meteoric rise in the last 18 months and he takes it all in his stride. I see that day to day, that’s how he trains and lives. He’s been a great example to me.
“We’re pretty chilled, we go to training, have a coffee, go home and cook. Scotty was on loan at Ayr, came back and took his opportunity. Each test he seems to pass with flying colours.
“He’s a brilliant lad with all the ability in the world. He’ll play at whatever level he wants to. It’s a great chance for us to play.”
Devlin also had to take good care of himself last season after injuring an ankle in training on his first call-up to the Scotland squad for the Nations League clashes under old boss Alex McLeish.
The ex-Hamilton star not only missed out on his Scotland debut but the Dons’ Betfred Cup Final with Celtic, derailing what had been shaping up to be a promising season.
But being selected for Steve Clarke’s maiden squad is Devlin’s chance to put the injury nightmare behind him.
He said: “The last time I was involved it ended prematurely. I was really excited at club level as things were going well. I then rolled my ankle and it took a bit of time to get to the bottom of it.
“I went on to miss three months for my club just before the final, which was gutting.
“The call-up was a bit before I expected it. But what better way to end the season than being involved with the national team.”
Devlin’s mental strength helped aid his recovery having experienced worse with two cruciate injuries in a harrowing time at Accies.
He said: “I’ve been through enough disappointments that you just get on with
it. You have enough ups and downs being fit – results, change of manager and getting released – football is mentally challenging. Injuries come along with that.”
Devlin accepts he is perhaps fortunate to be in Clarke’s squad as he had an indifferent end to the season, coming off the bench more often than not for the Dons.
He said: “It’s been frustrating, probably more at myself than anything. I’ve had enough game time, had I reached that level of performance where I’d be playing week in, week out.
“There have been mistakes and not managing to get where I expect to myself but that’s the challenge that comes with an injury and your momentum being killed. “You have to keep working hard and remember the principles that got to you at that point. Not getting too down when things aren’t going too well and not getting too up when things kick on again.” The door has been opened ahead of the Cyprus clash and next week’s visit to Belgium. And Devlin knows it is up to him to impress new Scotland boss Clarke who edged the Dons into fourth spot with Killie. Devlin said: “You’ve got to take the chance when it comes and almost not allow other people that opportunity. It’s a clean slate.
“When I got the call I was over the moon to be involved. As a boy, it’s your dream to play for the national team.
“Every single player here will be highly enthusiastic about what’s coming. The level he’s worked at as part of teams that have won trophies at Liverpool and Chelsea, and what he achieved at Killie. “We’ve got guys within the team – Andy Robertson won the Champions League and others won promotion. That runs through the squad and it’s in a good place now.”