Pundit shares 'rumours' he's heard on surprise Rangers transfer target as defender's name thrown into the mix
Former Derek McInnes ally could be the answer to defence issue
Scottish football pundit and former Rangers midfielder Ian McCall has heard ‘rumours’ that the Light Blues are interested in Scotland international defender Scott McKenna.
The 29-year old - who’s currently plying his trade in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb - was a trusted figure at the bag for Rangers boss Derek McInnes during his Aberdeen days. With the Light Blues now light on options at the back, McCall reckons they need a ‘proper’ centre half.
Rangers just forked out £3m for South African defender Olwethu Makhanya from Philadelphia Union, but will need more than that to solve their defensive issues. Atalanta loanee Ben Godfrey went off injured in their 1-1 stalemate with Dundee United as utility man Dujon Sterling had to step in. Other than mainstay defender Emmanuel Fernandez, they’re light on options.
McCall shares McKenna ‘rumours’
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland, the former Partick Thistle and Dundee United boss said: “I think he (Derek McInnes) needs a proper centre-back. The one thing managers like about centre-halves is whether they can trust them, really trust them, in the game. I think he needs one he can really trust. I don’t know who that might be. There were rumours about big McKenna coming in, I don’t know if that is a goer. I know Derek really trusts him.”
McKenna came through the academy ranks at Pittodrie before making his debut in 2014. The centre back went on three separate loan spells during his six years in the first team at Ayr United, Alloa, then Ayr again. Since leaving Aberdeen for Nottingham Forest, he enjoyed a subsequent spells at Las Palmas in Spain.
McInnes factor can bring Gers success
McCall is a long-time admirer of the new Rangers boss, who was four minutes away from working a miracle at Hearts last season before they were pipped by Celtic on the final day. With more resources at his disposal at Ibrox, McCall believes McInnes has what it takes to be an Ibrox success story.
He continued: “I think they will be realistic title contenders, last season going into the split they were realistic title contenders. For me, they’re realistic title contenders. I think there’s still work to be done. Derek is really shrewd about who he can bring in.”