Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna still can’t believe a club was willing to pay £6.5million for his services.
Aston Villa had the deadline day bid rejected for the 21-year-old with Hull City and Celtic having also had bids previously rebuffed for the centre-half.
The Pittodrie club’s resolve is likely to be tested again when the transfer window reopens in January with West Brom reportedly sending a scout to watch the Scotland international in last week’s Betfred Cup semi-final victory over Rangers.
McKenna admits he is still getting used to being regarded as one of the most promising players in Scottish football.
He said: “The numbers they were talking about were something I never dreamed would be associated with my name.
“It is flattering but the fact that the club turned it down meant that I didn’t have a decision to make and I was focused on playing football.
“I take confidence from it that someone would be willing to pay that amount of money for me. But it’s just up to me to keep my performances up to a high standard on the pitch and hopefully Aberdeen keep doing well. If the club do eventually accept something then that’s when it’ll be a different situation.
“I don’t really think about it or bother about it too much. I think if a club comes in with an offer, it isn’t anything to do with me.
“I can’t do anything about it until Aberdeen accept an offer. Until that happens, I just focus on playing for Aberdeen and I don’t really have anything to think about.”
In the meantime, McKenna is content with life at Pittodrie with his partnership alongside Mikey Devlin at the heart of the Dons defence one of the major positives from Aberdeen’s campaign to date.
He said: “It’s been a bit stop-start for me with injuries and suspensions. I think in the last five games that me and Mikey have played together, we’ve only conceded one goal. That’s a positive and we just need to build on that.
“Clean sheets are a massive part of the game. As a centre-half you take pride in it and it gives us a chance to nick a goal. Like the game on Sunday, you’re hanging in for a long period and you get one goal and that’s enough to win it.
“I just take real pride in it but it’s a team effort but it is important for defenders for that to be our main focus.
“It probably helps that we’re pals off the pitch. We’re desperate to see each other do well and hopefully we’ll help each other do that.”
The Dons head to an in-form Kilmarnock side tomorrow with McKenna likely to come up against Kris Boyd with former Don Greg Stewart missing through suspension.
McKenna said: “If Greg doesn’t play then you imagine it’ll be Boyd or Eamonn Brophy who plays. You always get a good hustle with Kris Boyd. He’ll try give me a bit and I’ll try and give him a bit.”
He added: “Some forwards try to do everything they can to try and wind you up. You can’t bite or get frustrated with yourself if he does get one over you in the game.
“As soon as a striker gets in your head, then it’s a downward spiral for the rest of the game.”