STAND FIRM
Lewis backs Dons’ big price tag on McKenna
ABERDEEn captain Joe Lewis admits he is shocked Scott McKenna has not yet been snapped up and lured away from Pittodrie.
The 22-year-old defender has recently been the subject of bids from English Championship sides QPR and nottingham Forest, believed to be in the region of £3million.
Hull City saw multiple bids rejected for the player last January, while Celtic and Aston Villa have also been knocked back in their attempts to capture McKenna.
The Scotland international has four seasons remaining on his contract after he signed a long-term deal at Aberdeen last March.
Ahead of Thursday’s crucial Europa League second qualifying round second leg at home to Georgians Chikhura Sachkhere, Lewis insists the Dons must remain firm to ensure the player only departs at the right price, with the club reportedly ready to hold out for up to £10m.
‘I am surprised there haven’t been more clubs linked with Scott as he is such a good player,’ said the Aberdeen goalkeeper. ‘We have been fortunate to have him this long, to be honest.
‘The club has been strong with their asking price and that is only right. If he played abroad and joined an English team, then you would be looking at a huge figure to get him.
‘The club has a value of him, and it is a strong one, but that is only right as he is a fantastic player. Any club would be lucky to have him.
‘I couldn’t put a value on him but I can tell you he has every attribute that a top team would want in a young centre-half. He is 22, fast, comfortable on the ball, dominant in the air, tough in the tackle, he reads the game well and there is no weakness in his game for me.
‘He will only get better, in my opinion. The biggest compliment I can pay him is his attitude is superb. He never gets ahead of himself and he is always willing to learn and listen to people. He is very coachable. If he does leave the club this season, or in the future, then whoever takes him is getting a hell of a player.’
Citing John McGinn’s £2.75m transfer from Hibernian to Aston Villa last summer, Lewis believes McKenna must not be undervalued if he exits.
But despite admitting his team-mate could move on, Lewis is hopeful McKenna will stay as the Dons prepare to open their Premiership campaign at home to Hearts on Sunday. ‘Just because, in previous seasons, clubs sold players for less than that doesn’t make it right,’ continued the 31-year-old.
‘Clubs need to be firm and set out a precedent that young Scottish talent won’t be sold cheap.
‘You look at someone like John McGinn, who went to Aston Villa. They got a bargain with him. In the space of a season, people are talking about £50million for him.
‘For us, we are delighted to have Scott as long as we have him. Every player has a price but it is right the club put a sensible and realistic price on him. It is overdue that clubs are looking to get the best price they can.
‘It is a joy to play behind Scott and, from a selfish point of view, I hope he is with us for a long time. The speculation doesn’t impact Scott and that is all credit to him.
‘nothing gets to him and he is a great lad. I am sure there will come a time when the valuation is met from the club’s point of view and he may well move on.’
Derek McInnes’ men head into their Europa League tie level at 1-1 after Sam Cosgrove’s penalty equaliser ensured the Dons netted a crucial away goal last week.
The manager has yet to guide his team to the group stage over the last five seasons but Lewis believes they can overcome four qualifying rounds — and insists competing in Europe would not affect their domestic displays.
‘I think we have the squad to handle it but it would be a test,’ he added. ‘To get to the group stage, it would show the quality of the squad and that should transfer to the league.
‘As a goalkeeper, you don’t get physically tired, so I would be delighted to be playing two games a week. I don’t know if the midfielders would like it, mind you!
‘It would be massive and a huge thing for the club to get that far in Europe especially given how difficult it is to get there. It would be a shot in the arm for everyone connected with the club.
‘I don’t think Europe would hinder us in the domestic scene. It would only help us. It would help boost the club’s funds to bring in more and better players.’
Joe Lewis was at Hampden yesterday for the 2019-20 Ladbrokes Premiership Captains’ photocall. Join Ladbrokes fantasy football at fantasy.spfl.co.uk