Rangers need for home grown players will always see Philippe Clement linked with Scottish players and Scott McKenna’s situation at Nottingham Forest has seen his name mentioned in recent weeks.
The 30-cap Scotland international is out of contract at the end of the season and it is an easy link to justify, the Gers boss is looking to overhaul his squad and is on a budget.
His allegiances might be questionable but Rangers could land a cheap and reliable backup in Scott McKenna, however, speaking to GiveMeSport, transfer journalist Alex Crooks reckons that it could be an interesting transfer battle.
Rangers might face renewed competition for Scott McKenna
Celtic were credited with an interest before Rangers, then Clement’s path was cleared to sign the big defender after it was reported that they weren’t in for him.
Now though, Talksport’s Crook has revealed that there has been another twist in the chase for the 27-year old:
“Celtic look like favourites to sign McKenna. Somebody very reliable told me that both big Scottish clubs are in for him.
“He wasn’t playing at Forest towards the end of Cooper’s reign.
“His camp never denied rumours about a fallout with Cooper, but he’s not come back in under Nuno.
“I think he’s probably just not quite quick enough for the Premier League now, so maybe the Scottish Premiership would be a good move for him.”
There is no doubt that it would be a controversial option, however, Scott McKenna used to handle Alfredo Morelos better than most SPFL defenders.
It’s a horses for course type of transfer.
It’s doing a disservice to McKenna to say that he wouldn’t be able to step up to the Champions League when he has been playing in the Premier League regularly up until a reported falling out with Steve Cooper this season.
That a pairing of McKenna and Joe Worrall saw Forest relatively comfortable last season tells its own story of how both players have progressed.
Scott McKenna would be useful in most domestic games though, he’s been there and done it and been part of a largely successful Scotland squad over the last few years too.
If Celtic are in for him though, like Lawrence Shankland with us, there would only be one winner.
