Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna was handed a fourth straight start for Scotland last night. The Tartan Army drew 3-3 with Norway to head into Euro 2024 with a second-place finish in Group A.
After the game, it would appear as though the national media completely disagreed on how McKenna performed. The Forest man has had to work hard to prove himself on the international stage and it would seem that some still aren’t convinced.
McKenna hasn’t been playing for Forest in recent months. He’s not been included in a matchday squad since he played against Burnley in September and Fenerbahce are now keen to sign him.
National media completely disagree on McKenna
The Forest defender will have appreciated the chance to play some football once again. However, it would seem that his performance in the 3-3 draw with Norway saw journalists clash over how he performed.
The Scotsman scored him 5/10 and claimed: “A fourth straight start for his country but three goals that Norway helped themselves to at Hampden as he never looked entirely comfortable on a night he was booked won’t help perceptions that the Nottingham Forest man is backup when others are available.”
Reading that, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Forest defender McKenna was pretty poor. However, The National gave him a score of 8/10 and raved about the player.
They claimed: “A colossal performance. Ragdolled the Norway forwards and didn’t lose a header the entire night. Confident to step out of the defence and looked in command of the adapted back-four. Booked.”
McKenna will want to leave Forest in January
This is going to prove a useful situation for all parties when it comes to January. McKenna needs to leave Forest to play regularly ahead of Euro 2024, whilst the Reds will want to recoup a bit of cash for him.
The defender is out of contract in the summer and could leave for nothing. Given what he’s achieved during his time on Trentside that would be a travesty and hopefully a resolution can occur.
It’s been suggested that a contract dispute has been dragged out by Forest with McKenna. Ultimately, it’s a shame it’s come to that, with McKenna being a very decent servant to the club and a promotion-winning defender.
The January transfer window can’t really come soon enough for McKenna as he seeks a move away from Forest. He will have loved playing two full games for Scotland over the last week and he will now be craving regular action once more.
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