Reported Nottingham Forest target Scott McKenna has lifted the lid to the Daily Record on the summer transfer window after he failed to win a move to the City Ground.
The Aberdeen central defender was subject of a £3 million bid from the Reds but the Dons valued the player between £6 and £10 million (Nottinghamshire Live).
Forest eventually plumped for other options at the back, whilst rivals Queens Park Rangers were priced out of a move for the Scotland international.
The 22-year-old has played four league games this season having spent some time sidelined with a thigh injury.
He is now fully focused on football after admitting to a tough summer.
McKenna told the Daily Record: Last summer was the first time where I felt a real frustration. My head was all over the place.
“I was travelling to away games with Aberdeen, not knowing what was happening with the transfer window closing.
“It was clear at one point that I wanted a different challenge away from Aberdeen. That didn’t materialise but I stick by the decision I made.”
The highly-rated youngster does hold ambitions of playing in the Premier League one day but he accepts that he will need to work hard to achieve such goals.
He continued: “I’m not sure the jump from the SPL to the Premier League will happen for me.
“I’ve got to prove to people in England that I’m good enough for them to take a chance on me and give me that opportunity at some point. The challenge for me is to stay at the level where there’s always interest in me.”
Seat Pitch Summary
McKenna might have proved a decent acquisition for Forest during the summer but it’s hard to argue with any of the club’s central defenders right now.
Michael Dawson and Joe Worrall have looked tremendous together, whilst Tobias Figueiredo and Chema Rodriguez have both looked like capable understudies in reserve.
The money being asked for in return for McKenna’s services would have made him an immediate risk. Indeed, whilst Aberdeen are valuing him at such an astronomical value, it seems unlikely that a second-tier side will take a punt on him.
Forest could well revisit a move for the man with 12 Scotland caps. Dawson will perhaps retire during next summer and that could open the door for a replacement to come in.
Whether that man is the uncompromising defender from north of the border, remains to be seen.
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