Joe Lewis reckons Scott McKenna will go on to bigger and better things – but says Aberdeen do not need to sell him.
McKenna has been interesting Swansea of late and is rated as the best centre-half in Scotland by his Aberdeen manager, Derek McInnes.
Lewis has played behind him for the best part of 12 months and been hugely impressed by the 21-year-old’s development. He was impressive in the two Europa League games with Burnley and interest in McKenna, who captained Scotland this summer, is likely to continue. However, the Dons goalkeeper believes they are not, financially, in a hurry to allow McKenna to go and the talk of big-money moves is not affecting his game.
Lewis said: “He is some player and I am sure will go on to bigger things in his career. He is already doing well just now and inviting bids. He has put in good performances against good players and clubs but we are a club that doesn’t need to sell. We are in a good position financially and we don’t need to sell.
“Also, speaking to Scott, he is not in any rush to go anywhere. He is a very level-headed lad and knows he hasn’t played a whole season yet. He has so much to learn but he is doing that here. We will want to keep him for as long as we can but I’m sure there will come a time when he will kick on to big things.
“He doesn’t get fazed by any occasion – nothing gets to him. People ask him about the speculation but he just says whatever happens will happen. He is just a level-headed lad and a great boy to have in the dressing-room. I will be happy to see the window close with Scott still at Aberdeen.
“I have never played with a young player who has taken to things like Scott. You get young players who come on and make an impact but at centre-half you need consistency and strength. He is an old-fashioned centre-half and they don’t come around very often. That is why I think the club value him so highly.”
Lewis starred in the second leg against the Clarets and could count himself unlucky to be on the losing side. But there is little time for them to dwell on that disappointment with Rangers coming to Pittodrie tomorrow.
Lewis added: “We only took one point off them last season so we need to improve that. The last few games, we performed well and we were one of the teams with the best points tally after the split. We are looking forward to the big games.
“Their players will be on bigger wages than us and they will have spent more on transfer fees. In the last two seasons we have finished ahead of Rangers and we showed we have something money can’t buy. It is definitely something that has worked for us. It is a secret and I don’t know what it is.”