Celtic are “interested” in signing Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna, according to Sky Sports.
The 27-year-old, who has been capped 33 times by Scotland, has been made available on loan this month, and it is believed that the Hoops and Glasgow rivals Rangers are weighing up moves for the player.
Fans on X are very split down the middle on whether McKenna would be a good addition to Brendan Rodgers’ squad:
Would be a great signing. Left sided, quick, big, good in the air. Allows scales to move to LB.
— EM (@EdBhoy1888) January 5, 2024
Don’t rate him for Celtic. He’s decent but poor technically and if you’re not a ball playing CB you shouldn’t be playing for a team with the ball all the time.
— LubO (@pmcpfts) January 5, 2024
A strong physical player who can pass the ball well from the back and be a danger at set pieces. He might just be a good fit in the side.
— George Montgomery (@GeorgeM35159711) January 5, 2024
Not convinced he’s any better than what we have to be honest… Unless we offload 1 or 2 we’ve already got them not for me…🍀
— Paul Graham (@the_kitten70) January 5, 2024
Don’t see why so many against it. Solid centre half
— Tony Dickson (@dickieboy8) January 5, 2024
Shane Duffy….
— Cameron Connor (@cameronconnor88) January 5, 2024
One of the big things for me is his pace, seriously quick & powerful – something which I think would benefit us in Europe. He’s also better with the ball at his feet than people give him credit for. CCV struggling to stay fit recently & I think may move in the summer.
— Big Ernie (@RRumbles6) January 5, 2024
Supporters fear another Duffy situation
The Hoops have recruited centre-backs from the Premier League before only to be burned. Shane Duffy struggled after arriving from Brighton, while Nat Phillips didn’t fair much better following his temporary switch from Liverpool earlier this season.
McKenna is currently struggling to get into a Forest side which is fighting against relegation and that does ring a few alarm bells in terms of his suitability for a Premiership title fight.
It would be a low-risk gamble for Celtic
With Yuki Kobayashi set to return to Japan and Rodgers said to be open to Gustaf Lagerbielke leaving Parkhead after just six months, the Scottish champions may soon be light of centre-backs.
McKenna is available on loan and it also should be pointed out that his contract at Forest expires this summer, so Celtic could sign him on a free if he proves himself. There is not a lot of risk attached to the deal so it may be a move worth considering.
