Celtic got out of jail with Scott McKenna interest – but what next?

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Celtic’s interest in Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna was well documented last summer.

The Dons apparently rejected a bid of around £3.5m from Celtic for their star-man’s signature (BBC). They would also reportedly go on to snub a £6.5m offer from Aston Villa too (Daily Record). With interest circling around McKenna, Aberdeen slapped a £10m price-tag on their number one centre-back (Daily Record)

But, the truth is, Celtic got away with one in not signing McKenna. It allowed us to go out and hunt Filip Benkovic, who looked a class apart from the Aberdeen man. Granted, he was only here on loan, but it shows the alternatives that are out there who would be willing to come and play for Celtic.

McKenna has first and foremost had another fine season. He’s made 39 appearances for Derek McInnes’ side, and has always been their first-choice when everyone has been fit. But that doesn’t make him Celtic quality.

McKenna has, at times, looked a liability against Rangers’ Alfredo Morelos for example. The Scotland international has allowed the Colombian to get the better of him on a couple of occasions this season. That doesn’t exactly read well for him.

But there are also cheaper, and perhaps players with better potential than McKenna in Scotland at centre-back.

First off, there is Kilmarnock’s Stuart Findlay, who has been called up to his second consecutive Scotland squad. He has been instrumental in leading Killie to Europe, as they finished ahead of Aberdeen in third place.

Findlay is comfortable on the ball, aggressive, and takes no prisoners. He’s proved a rock against Celtic on several occasions in the past too, keeping a couple of clean sheets at Parkhead and several against Celtic overall.

He would easily be one alternative if Celtic were still looking to shop domestically this summer for a centre-back.

Findlay or Porteous would be good domestic alternatives

Secondly, there is young Ryan Porteous, who looks a simply tremendous prospect at Hibernian.

Injury in the second half of the season really set him back from having a storming campaign. Porteous only ended up making 23 appearances overall, but he was a dominant force at the back for Hibs. He’s similar to Findlay in that he’s a good old-fashioned aggressive centre-back, not allowing strikers a moment on the ball or give them space to try and turn him.

He still lacks a bit of experience of course, and could probably do with more first-team game-time before featuring for Celtic.

In any case, there is still quality talent in Scotland that could be afforded for much less than McKenna.

But if we’re talking about players to seriously take us to the next level, we could do with seeing what bargains are around in Europe.

For example, Srdjan Babic can apparently be bought for less than £1m (Zurnal). This is a centre-back with Champions League experience and two Serbian titles to his name. He’s also a Serbia under-21 regular too.

A potential Benkovic return isn’t off the cards either, whilst Eastern Europe in particular is sure to be full of more bargains like Babic. But Celtic simply have to look for them.

Fortunately, there have been no reports of returning interest from Celtic towards McKenna. And with what’s likely to be out there in terms of defensive options, here’s hoping that remains the case.