Scott McKenna
The big story from yesterday, and a complicated saga which may have to be resolved in the summer rather in the here and now. There are many facets to this, including Derek McInnes being highly resistant to the idea. That’s the main barrier within their club though.
Whilst Rod Petrie was willing to mess us about over McGinn, Stewart Milne, about whom this site has usually little good to say, is not a complete fool.
He knows the player is a saleable asset and he is willing to talk business with whatever club offers them the right deal, and if that’s Celtic so be it. He does have to appease his manager though, and players plus cash or some kind of loan back is seen as one way to guarantee that McInnes won’t go off the deep end.
In a way, what we know officially from Celtic supports the idea that a loan back agreement wouldn’t be an entirely ridiculous concept. Boyata is being retained after all, and anyone we did buy would have to compete with the Belgian and Benkovic for a starting slot.
Whilst I think that’s what should happen, it’s not difficult to see why Brendan and Lawwell might want to know they’ve got something in place for the summer whilst relying on what we have at central defence in the here and now.
I don’t agree with that, but if they go out and sign a quality right back for decent money, and announce McKenna as a done deal at the end of the season I don’t think many of us would have much to complain about.
This one is going to go to the wire, and maybe beyond.