Reported Nottingham Forest target Scott McKenna has told the Evening Times that playing well for Scotland will prove to his potential suitors that he can play at a higher level.
The Reds had bids rejected for the left-sided central defender during the summer and was also the subject of a £6.5 million bid from Aston Villa on transfer deadline day.
He ended up staying at Aberdeen, however, and must now wait for a switch to a bigger club in either England or Scotland.
McKenna is still determined to prove he is worth pursuing and believes his latest call-up to the Scotland team will help him showcase his talents.
He told the Evening Times: “International football is a step up from the SPFL. Teams will look at that and see if I can handle it. That’s always what I’m trying to prove to them. I just need to keep my head down and see what happens in January.”
Forest ultimately landed Chema Rodriguez to fill their void on the left-hand side of the back four. The £1 million (Bein Sports) man has looked a steal given his value when he has been called upon.
McKenna, 22, has plenty of time left to prove a point and several clubs are likely to show an interest once again in January.
Nottingham Forest News view – McKenna move unlikely given strength in depth
It seems unlikely to think that Forest will add any further depth to their central defensive ranks in the January window.
Michael Dawson, Joe Worrall, Tobias Figueiredo and Rodriguez have all served a purpose this season when called upon.
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Should injuries arise then Yohan Benalouane and Michael Hefele are edging back to full fitness, whilst Jack Robinson can also drop into a centre-back role.
Given that Aston Villa had a bid of £6.5 million, it seems highly unlikely that Forest will enter discussions over a deal anywhere close to that.
McKenna hasn’t been at his best this season and although he is still relatively young, his chance to join Forest might be a ship that has now sailed long into the night.
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