‘FAULTLESS’ DEFENDER IS ROCK SOLID FOR McINNES

ABERDEEN boss Derek McInnes would like to see Scott McKenna score more goals but otherwise describes his defender as ‘faultless’.

Long tipped to move on for big money, McKenna has been the Dons’ prize asset for a couple of years but the recent transfer window was abnormally quiet when it came to the big centre-back.

Aston Villa and Celtic have had past bids for the 23-year-old thrown out while his frustration at the club’s decision to block interest from QPR and Nottingham Forest last August prompted a transfer request.

Player and manager quickly mended their relationship and McKenna’s recent form has been excellent. McInnes expects interest to heat up again in the summer.

‘Scott is doing great and has been for a while,’ said McInnes. ‘I said in the weeks before the January transfer window that people expect more from him now. It is like people think: “Is that it?”.

‘But he has been almost faultless for me in the last while. He is a brilliant boy. There could have been some disappointment from him at not leaving in this window but he has been as good as gold.

‘He has marshalled the defence well despite playing with different partners. He should score more goals, right enough, and that is a shortfall in his game.

‘But outwith that he does the job for me every week.’

A need to fit financial fair play criteria may have served to quell interest in McKenna last month but McInnes expects him to draw more attention.

Before then McKenna could have played a part in helping Scotland to a first major tournament in 22 years. And if he were to go and play at

Euro 2020, McInnes knows Aberdeen may struggle to retain him.

‘Scott knows that if he keeps performing and does his bit for the Scotland squad, if he keeps his head right, then 100-per-cent there will be interest again in the summer,’ said McInnes.

‘That is probably what he is working towards. The standard of play from him and the desire to push himself is there. What I love from him is that it doesn’t matter if it is a passing drill, sprints, possession, anything we do, everything is full pelt from him.

‘He never holds anything back and he challenges himself and pushes himself every day. Boys like that get their reward. You know good ones when they come along and he is as good as they have been.’

McInnes is on record as saying that, when fit, McKenna is

Scotland’s first-choice centre-back.

The man himself would rather not be presumptuous as he strives to earn a call-up from Steve Clarke for next month’s play-off against Israel.

‘Of course he is going to say that!’ laughed McKenna. ‘But no, we have boys playing at the top end of the English Championship looking for promotion, also boys in the Premier League, captaining their clubs and playing at a very good standard.

‘First and foremost I don’t think about playing, I just look to get into the squad. Then, hopefully, I get my opportunity. I’m not naive enough to think I can walk into the Scotland team and play at left centre-back.’