Mckenna dreams of send-off party

Scotland defender Scott Mckenna would love Hampden Park to host a going-away party like the one he witnessed in Peru.

The Scottish squad arrived in Lima last week for the friendly against the Incas, who are soon off to the World Cup for the first time in 36 years. The streets around the Estadio Nacional were thronging with fans hours before Tuesday night’s kickoff and also after the 2-0 win over Alex Mcleish’s side.

Mckenna had noted the excitement in the Peruvian capital beforehand and was also impressed by the carnival atmosphere created by 40,000 exuberant fans inside the ground.

The 21-year-old Aberdeen defender yearns for the day he sees something similar in Glasgow. “You can see how much it means to them to be going to the World Cup,” he said. “We have to get Scotland to that place where everyone is at Hampden having a party before we go off to a major tournament. It is something we want to do.

“It was the whole atmosphere during the week. The sheer love of football out here is incredible. We went out to coffee shops across from the hotel earlier in the week and were mobbed for photos.”

Mckenna is expected to win his fourth cap in the match against Mexico on Sunday. “It is something that all the boys have got to look forward to and enjoy,” he added. “A positive result would be good but as it is a young squad it is important that we put on a good performance.”