Scotland defender Scott McKenna has refused to rule out a return to the Premiership with either Celtic or Rangers.
The 27-year-old former Aberdeen star is a free agent after running down his contract at Nottingham Forest.
And, after a spell on loan at FC Copenhagen, he plans to use the Euro finals to put himself in the shop window.
Keen to leave talk of his future until Scotland’s Euro fate is resolved, McKenna was previously the subject of a bid from Brendan Rodgers during the Northern Irishman’s first spell in charge of Celtic. He has been heavily linked with the Scottish champions in recent weeks, while Rangers are also in the market for a central defender.
McKenna admits he is already fielding questions from fans of both clubs over a return to the SPFL.
‘That is just natural when you have got teams the size of Celtic and Rangers,’ he said. ‘I know a lot of people who support both teams, so it is going to happen. They are going to question you, but there is nothing to tell.
Scott McKenna says fans of both Old Firm clubs are asking if he will join them
Defender McKenna answers questions at a Scotland press conference on Tuesday
McKenna is a free agent after running down his contract with Nottingham Forest
‘I’m without a club, so I think I would need to consider anything. There is nothing as of now, so there is nothing to think about.
‘For me, that is completely on the back burner – 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.
‘There is no bigger stage if you are on the pitch to put you in the shop window. I can only do that by first and foremost training well and trying to get in the manager’s thoughts.
‘To be honest, I am open to anything. I would never rule anything out.
‘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 more, I don’t really have anything to think about.
‘There’s been no contract talks anywhere, really. My sole focus is to try and get as many minutes as I can here if the opportunity arises. There’s no bigger shop window.’
McKenna moved to Copenhagen in January, and was given a baptism of fire in a Champions League defeat to Manchester City. Admitting he would relish more exposure to Europe’s top competition, he added: ‘Obviously you want to get as much of it as you can. Whether that happens or not, I can’t control that. It was a fantastic experience, even though it was a pretty heavy defeat.’
For now, at least, the Kirriemuir-born player has told his agents to put any enquiries on hold until Scotland’s fate at the Euros becomes clear.
‘They are brilliant like that anyway. They would not interrupt me,’ he said. ‘Obviously if something comes up and they feel the need to tell me, they will do so. They are not on the phone stressing me out telling me about all the small details.’
McKenna and Shankland enjoy watching team-mates going through their paces
Scotland manager Steve Clarke keeps a close eye on his players at training
It was a relief for the Tartan Army to see Andy Robertson training after an injury scare
Celtic are working through a list of defensive targets. As first reported by Mail Sport, Bournemouth’s Chris Mepham is of interest. They are also looking at 23-year-old Austrian international Flavius Daniliuc, currently in Germany preparing for the Euro finals.
Meanwhile, Roma have emerged as the latest club to take an interest in Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley.
The Denmark international previously attracted a bid from Atletico Madrid and they could still return to the table this summer.
Newly-promoted Southampton are also hovering, with financial fair play restrictions likely to influence who makes a move for the £25million-rated player.
Celtic have prioritised a midfielder, while Mail Sport understands that Sparta Prague’s Danish goalkeeper Peter Vindahl Jensen is now their first choice to replace Joe Hart.
The 26-year-old former AZ Alkmaar keeper is likely to command a fee in excess of £4m.
