The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Second chance at history
McKenna has Euro 2021 in his sights after hamstring injury
Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna is determined to make the most of his second chance at helping Scotland qualify for the Euro 2021 finals.
The Dons centre-back was set to sit out the Uefa Nations League semi-final against Israel in March, and the final should Scotland have reached it, while his participation in the finals which were due to get underway in June was also in doubt due to a hamstring tear.
The near five-month shutdown of football in Scotland due to the coronavirus pandemic has given McKenna another shot at helping his country qualify for a major finals for the first time in more than 20 years, which has been rescheduled for next summer, and the Dons defender is eager to make the most of his opportunity.
He said: “There’s no denying I have been fortunate with the timing.
“I was expected to miss around 15 games, including the Scotland matches, but now I have a chance at the Scottish Cup and Scotland – although I know I will need to play well to give myself a chance.
“I need to get myself in Steve Clarke’s thoughts and that will only happen by playing well for Aberdeen.”
The break in play proved a blessing in disguise but the lengthy absence has been a frustrating one for the 23-year-old – and it has fuelled his desire to play a major role this term.
He said: “There is nothing more frustrating than injuries. Everything else you can deal with but when it comes to a Saturday and you have to watch games there is nothing worse. That is when you are at your lowest.
“If last season had finished, I would have been out four-and-a-half months. That is way too much time. I also missed 10 or 11 games the season before through injuries and suspension.
“I have missed too many games and I need to be on the pitch far more this season.”
McKenna’s hamstring tears in both legs have forced him to adjust his training regime at Cormack Park but having featured in pre-season and played the full 90 minutes of Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Rangers at Pittodrie the Scotland international is looking ahead to the new campaign with confidence his injury woe is behind him.
He said: “I did worry about it but I have played three or four 90 minutes now and I am starting to get the confidence back.
“I’ll also get that fitness and sharpness as well as the weeks go on and I can get my performance levels back up.”
Anew season brings a new challenge for Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna – avoiding further hamstring injuries.
The 23-year-old has suffered from hamstring tears in both legs in recent seasons. His most recent injury was a severe one and it has left him at a crossroads.
Time out of the game has led to him overhauling his training regime with the help of his club’s sport science department.
The result is a fit-again McKenna, one the man himself believes is ready for the rigours of a new season both domestic and international.
He said: “I want to stay fit and be more robust. I can’t keep breaking down every 10-15 games with my hamstrings. I just want to be fit and play as many games as I can.
“I have sat down with the physios, sport scientists and the medical team to put a plan together so I can get into the gym to keep up my strength work.
“Even if we have two or three games a week, I need to find ways to get into the gym at the right time to do the right exercises because I can’t keep doing what I have been doing before because I kept breaking down.
“We need to find that balance. Maybe, if I am not getting enough out of training I might need to do some more high-speed work just to keep on top of things.”
He has learned due to the unique nature of the tears he has suffered in the last two years that he must adapt and modify his preparation for matches.
The Scotland international said: “I have a real weakness. I have torn my left hamstring two or three times because the last time it had two tears in it.
“I have also torn the right one so there is a weakness there and I need to stay on top of things, maybe more than the other lads.
“When boys are in the gym I maybe need to look at working on my hamstrings to make sure they are feeling good.
“I have never torn it by flat out sprinting. The first one I blocked the shot against Rangers and that came on the back of the Burnley game. Maybe there was a bit of fatigue there with 120 minutes down there.
“The other times I took a push in the back which put me in an unnatural position but there is no way if you are getting pushed you should be tearing your hamstring.
“It was clear I have a weakness there. We have tried to identify that and worked on it in an attempt to limit the chances of it happening again.”
McKenna credits Adam Stokes, head of medicine and sport science. He said: “I have to thank him for taking the time because it would have been easy for him to say I don’t feel comfortable coming out.”