Hull City plan to pursue Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna after knockback

ABERDEEN last night issued a hands-off warning over Scott McKenna after knocking back a bid from Hull City.

The young Dons defender has been watched by several clubs from south of the border in recent weeks.

But City broke cover first by firing in a bid believed to be worth around £300,000.

That has been flatly rejected by Aberdeen, who have also told the Championship side that McKenna is NOT for sale.

The 21-year-old has been outstanding for the Dons in his breakthrough season, racking up 15 appearances and one goal since his debut in September.

He has also starred for Scotland’s Under-21s, playing a key role as they began their European Championships qualifying campaign with a superb win over the Netherlands.

It is understood the Granite City club have no desire to cash in on a player they see as a future star.

But despite being told to back off by the Dons, it is likely Hull boss Nigel Adkins will seek to test their resolve with a second bid in the coming days.

Questioned after his side’s draw with Reading yesterday, he confirmed the Tigers’ bid, then described McKenna in glowing terms.

“There’s going to be a lot of speculation, Scott is up at Aberdeen and I know Derek McInnes well,” Adkins said.

“I was speaking to him earlier in the week.

“McKenna is a left-footed centre-half, who has a big future in front of him, I think.

“Yes, we’ve made a bid. It’s fair to say conversations go on.

“You put a bid in, it might get knocked back. You put another in and you see where it goes.

“But there is a definite interest from ourselves.

“He’s an Aberdeen player and I have a lot of respect for McInnes and what he’s done up in Aberdeen.

“So anything we do will be done in the right manner.

“We don’t want to unsettle anybody, but we’ve looked at him and we believe he could have a very bright future.”