Celtic-linked Scott McKenna is set to come up against Ibrox side Glasgow Rangers tomorrow.
Celtic could and probably should sign a centre-back in January – and a big performance from one player against Rangers on Sunday may help Brendan Rodgers decide whether he should renew an interest.
Scott McKenna, linked with a £10 million move to Celtic during the summer [The Record], is set to face Rangers in a Scottish League Cup semi-final tomorrow.
It’ll be the Aberdeen stalwart’s first game back following a two-match suspension and impressing against Steven Gerrard’s Gers side might just help Rodgers make his mind up.
If he can post a towering performance on such a big stage – a semi-final at Hampden Park – against a team like Rangers then it may tell the Celtic manager that he’s made of the right stuff and prompt him to make a move in the coming months.
Let’s face it, Rodgers needs a central defender in January – especially given that Leicester City have the option to recall Filip Benkovic from his loan.
The Northern Irishman criticised McKenna earlier this month for a foul on Odsonne Edouard, but that isn’t to say that he wouldn’t try and sign him during the winter.
The Dons rejected a deadline-day bid from Aston Villa [BBC Sport], so the Hoops aren’t the only interested party, which is why his display against Rangers is that bit more important.
After losing to Villa in the race for John McGinn, it’d be devastating for the Bhoys if they missed another young star to the English club, but a £10 million fee would make him Celtic’s most expensive signing of all time.
Rodgers must be certain that McKenna is the real deal. One performance against the Blues isn’t going to guarantee that, but it could go some way toward telling the Celtic boss that he’s worth the risk.
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