Kilmarnock defender Ash Taylor insists it was a case of 'when' opposed to 'if' Scott McKenna got his shot at the English Premier League.
And now he reckons his old back could shine for Scotland.
The Nottingham Forrest defender made his dream a reality on Sunday as he helped his team keep a clean sheet against Huddersfield at Wembley to secure their place in England's top flight.
The 25-year-old has now joined up with Steve Clarke's squad full of confidence, knowing he faces huge challenges in the form of Mohamed Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane in the Premier League next year.
But his old Aberdeen team mate Taylor know the top is exactly where McKenna was destined to end up after watching his potential develop during their time at Pittodrie together.
He said: “I’m delighted to see Scott win promotion to the Premier League at the weekend. It was brilliant to see.
“You have to say it is fully deserved. I know how hard Scott has worked on his game and to get to the position he has today for club and country. You could see from very early on that Scott was destined for the top and that included the Premier League
“I know he has had a couple of missed opportunities and so it is great to see him get that chance now with Forest.”
McKenna will be hoping a dazzling week continues in Scotland’s World Cup quest, with tonight’s clash against Ukraine deciding who plays Wales in Sunday’s play-off final.
Scotland boss Clarke will have a void on the left-hand side of the defence to fill due to Kieran Tierney’s injury and Taylor reckons McKenna would be the ideal man to come in.
Kilmarnock defender Taylor said: “Scott should be playing for Scotland anyway. More so now especially being promoted and being full of confidence from that. He’s always done well for his country and never let them down.”
Taylor played with McKenna in his first spell at Dons and when he returned from Northampton two years later, his partner was a full Scotland international.
Alex McLeish gave him his big break in 2018 and he even handed him the armband for the international friendly with Mexico in the Azteca.
Taylor said: “It was huge for him with Scotland. Playing at that level would be a massive confidence boost for anyone. Confidence always helps progression as you are at your best and you could see how Scott has kicked on being a big part of the Scotland squad.”
Interest soon grew in McKenna with Swansea City and Aston Villa, who were both in the Championship at the time, having bids snubbed by Dons.
The final offer from Villa was at the end of a transfer window and could have been worth around £10million – it would also have seen McKenna win promotion to the Premier League.
But Taylor said: “He reacted in the right way. He has the right attitude and work ethic. I wish him nothing but success, he’s bided his time and it’s paid off.
“Scott knew if he worked hard and kept playing the way he had then he’d get the move he deserved and it came when he made his transfer to Forest.
“It was great because Scott progressed loads at Aberdeen. I had the pleasure of seeing him come through then playing alongside him. He’s a good player, such a great lad, he deserves everything he gets.”
Taylor has seen McKenna pass every test internationally and domestically with flying colours. He knows questions will be asked if he will cut it in the English Premier League but Taylor doesn’t believe there is any doubt on that front.
He claimed: “Nothing will faze him because he believes in his own ability as he should. Has great people around him as well. Of course, he can make the step up, he’s fully capable of that step up.
“He’s been a success because he has a great attitude and genuine ability. Scott has everything that you would want in a modern day centre-back.”
McKenna isn’t the only one celebrating Forest’s promotion as it will also net Aberdeen a tidy seven-figure fee as part of a clause in his transfer.
Taylor said: “It’s huge for Aberdeen, there’s a big rebuild at the moment.”
