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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Ewan Paton

Scott McKenna urged to sign for Celtic by ex-Rangers player

A former Rangers player has urged Scott McKenna to jump at the chance of signing for Celtic this summer.

The soon-to-be out-of-contract Nottingham Forest defender has been tipped to join the Scottish Premiership champions.

McKenna, 27, is currently on international duty with Scotland at the European Championships but will be hopeful of sorting out his future soon.

Brendan Rodgers is believed to be seeking a left-sided centre-back as he bolsters his squad during the off-season.

And with the former Aberdeen player already admitting he'd be open to a return to Scotland, Alan Hutton believes a switch to Celtic would be ideal for both parties.

“I think it would be a really good decision for him to go and be part of that Celtic team,” he told Football Insider. “He’s had that experience of being down south, he was out on loan and now he wants to go somewhere and find a home, play regular football and be happy.

“He’s got a lot of experience at international level as well. He knows what it’s all about. He knows the pressure he’ll be under when it comes to playing for Celtic and it won’t phase him.

“He’ll also have the opportunity to win trophies and compete at the highest level in the Champions League campaign.

“To get him in on a free, Scottish, I think the deal ticks a lot of boxes for Celtic.”

Speaking last week, the player said: “My own situation is completely on the back burner just now.

“I just have to do everything I can in training to try and get whatever minutes I can on the pitch here. Anything after that will take care of itself. 

“Is it a chance to put myself in the shop window? Absolutely, there is no bigger stage if you are on the pitch. But I can only do that by first and foremost training well and trying to get in the manager’s thoughts. 

“But, to be honest, I am open to anything. I would never rule anything out. But in terms of the speculation, that’s all it’s ever been. It has never really gone any further than that and until there is anything that’s more than that I don’t really have anything to think about. 

“No, there is absolutely nothing. There’s been no contract talks anywhere, really. As I mentioned, my sole focus is to try and get as many minutes as I can here if the opportunity arises and, as we mentioned, there’s no bigger shop window than this. 

“My agents are brilliant like that anyway. They would not interrupt me. Obviously if something comes up and they feel the need to tell me, they will do so. But they are not the phone stressing me out telling me about all the small details.” 

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