Pittodrie legend Willie Miller insists Aberdeen will benefit beyond a cash windfall if Scott McKenna reaches the English top-flight.
McKenna is set to start for Nottingham Forest against Huddersfield in the play-off final at Wembley on Sunday.
Aberdeen could be set to land a huge cash windfall if Scotland international McKenna secures a spot in the richest league in world football.
The Dons could pocket up to £1 million from Nottingham Forest if they reach the top-flight.
McKenna was sold to Forest for a club record fee of £3m in September 2020.
An additional £2m in add-ons was included in the deal, with one clause understood to be reaching the top-flight.
Miller reckons the benefit to the Dons goes beyond the reported seven-figure pay-out as Pittodrie’s youth academy will also be in the limelight.
He reckons McKenna’s rise to the English Premier League would, if Forest triumph, be a tremendous advert for Aberdeen’s youth system.
Miller said: “If McKenna can earn promotion to the Premier League it would be great for the club financially.
“However, it would also be fantastic for the youth development department.
“If he can reach the English top0flight, it would be further proof that Aberdeen are producing good quality players.
“Ryan Fraser came through Aberdeen’s system and is already playing with Newcastle United in the English top-flight.
“When you put McKenna and Fraser together, it is a great story for the club to tell.
“It shows Aberdeen can take in young players, develop them and get them into the first team.
“Then that light shines on them before getting a transfer where the club makes money.
“When Aberdeen put so much effort and money into a development programme, they have to get something out of it.
“It would be great achievement for McKenna to get that promotion.”
Club record transfer fee set to rise
The club record transfer fee received for McKenna is set to be smashed this summer.
Liverpool are set to bid £4m for teenage right-back Calvin Ramsay. That could rise to £6m with achievable add-ons, while Premier League Leeds United and Italian club Bologna are also interested in signing the Scotland U21 international.
Gothenburg Great Miller said: “When a club develops a player you hope he can play in the first team for a few years and then leave for a profit.
“Or the other option is a player like Andrew Considine who plays for virtually his whole career at Aberdeen.
“Calvin Ramsay is looking like the next one.
“It would be disappointing to see Ramsay go, but at the same time, if he does, Aberdeen have to maximise the finance they get back in.”
Promotion worth £170m to winner
McKenna will be at the heart of the Nottingham Forest defence at Wembley in a play-off final that will net the winning club a £170m windfall.
Double-European Cup winners Nottingham Forest have endured a torturous 23-year absence from the English top-flight.
McKenna has already played 50 times at club level this season, racking up more minutes during the campaign than any other Nottingham Forest player.
‘Rubbing shoulders with the cream of world football’
Despite his superb form at club level, McKenna last started for Scotland nine months ago, in the 2-0 World Cup qualifier loss away to Denmark.
McKenna is in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad for the World Cup play-offs.
The Scots face Ukraine at Hampden on Wednesday in the play-off semi-final, just three days after McKenna’s Wembley date with destiny.
Should McKenna secure promotion to the top-flight, Miller believes it will strengthen his bid for a regular Scotland start.
He said: “From an international point of view, if promotion happens McKenna will be rubbing shoulders with the cream of world football.
“If Nottingham Forest can get into the top-flight that is going to shine a light right on him again
“It is important to play at the highest level in whatever country you are in.
“That can help convince the international manager as McKennas is up against difficult competition when you are talking about Kieran Tierney.
“However, you have to set your sights high and I know McKenna will
“He can only hope he can convince the Scotland manager that he is one of the first choices for that back three for the international team.”
Top-flight boost to Scotland career
McKenna has earned 23 caps for his country and featured as a substitute in the 3-1 loss to Croatia in the Euro 2020 finals.
In May last year, Aberdeen let McKenna use the club’s Cormack Park training facility.
That was to remain sharp ahead of the national team flying out on a Euro 2020 training camp in Spain.
In 2021, McKenna’s season at Nottingham Forest in the Championship finished ahead of the Scottish and English top-flights, giving him the need for training facilities.
The defender had the distinction of captaining Scotland at the age of just 21 in a 1-0 friendly loss to Mexico in June 2018.
Miller, capped 65 times by Scotland, said: “When I was at the club, McKenna was more a midfield player.
“He certainly wasn’t the man mountain he is now.
“Fair play to McKenna. He has worked very hard to on his physique and has become a very strong centre-back.
“He can play in a two or a three and has got himself into the international team.
“McKenna will probably be a little disappointed that he hasn’t amassed more caps at this stage.
“That is key for him.”
Aberdeen helping national squad
McKenna could yet start Scotland crucial play-off semi-final against Ukraine.
Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney is out of the squad as he recovers from knee surgery.
Leeds United’s Liam Cooper is McKenna’s likely rival for a starting slot on the left of a three-man back-line against the Ukrainians.
Miller, who played at the 1982 and 1986 World Cup finals with Scotland, said: “A big part of having a development programme is also to help the international team.
“To produce good, young Scottish players and hope they get to the highest level possible.
“McKenna is a great example of that.
“Aberdeen are helping the Scotland national team and also the coefficient.”