Kilmarnock defender Ash Taylor insists it was a case of 'when' against 'if' Scott McKenna acquired his shot on the English Premier League.
And now he reckons his outdated again might shine for Scotland.
The Nottingham Forrest defender made his dream a actuality on Sunday as he helped his group hold a clear sheet towards Huddersfield at Wembley to safe their place in England's high flight.
The 25-year-old has now joined up with Steve Clarke's squad filled with confidence, realizing he faces big challenges within the type of Mohamed Salah, Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Kane within the Premier League subsequent yr.
However his outdated Aberdeen group mate Taylor know the highest is precisely the place McKenna was destined to finish up after watching his potential develop throughout their time at Pittodrie collectively.
He mentioned: “I’m delighted to see Scott win promotion to the Premier League on the weekend. It was sensible to see.
“It's important to say it's totally deserved. I understand how laborious Scott has labored on his sport and to get to the place he has at the moment for membership and nation. You might see from very early on that Scott was destined for the highest and that included the Premier League
“I do know he has had a few missed alternatives and so it's nice to see him get that probability now with Forest.”
McKenna can be hoping a stunning week continues in Scotland’s World Cup quest, with tonight’s conflict towards Ukraine deciding who performs Wales in Sunday’s play-off closing.
Scotland boss Clarke may have a void on the left-hand facet of the defence to fill on account of Kieran Tierney’s harm and Taylor reckons McKenna could be the perfect man to return in.
Kilmarnock defender Taylor mentioned: “Scott ought to be taking part in for Scotland anyway. Extra so now particularly being promoted and being filled with confidence from that. He’s at all times carried out properly for his nation and by no means allow them to down.”
Taylor performed with McKenna in his first spell at Dons and when he returned from Northampton two years later, his companion was a full Scotland worldwide.
Alex McLeish gave him his huge break in 2018 and he even handed him the armband for the worldwide pleasant with Mexico within the Azteca.
Taylor mentioned: “It was big for him with Scotland. Enjoying at that degree could be an enormous confidence increase for anybody. Confidence at all times helps development as you might be at your greatest and you might see how Scott has kicked on being a giant a part of the Scotland squad.”
Curiosity quickly grew in McKenna with Swansea Metropolis and Aston Villa, who have been each within the Championship on the time, having bids snubbed by Dons.
The ultimate supply from Villa was on the finish of a switch window and will have been price round £10million – it might even have seen McKenna win promotion to the Premier League.
However Taylor mentioned: “He reacted in the best approach. He has the best angle and work ethic. I want him nothing however success, he’s bided his time and it’s paid off.
“Scott knew if he labored laborious and stored taking part in the best way he had then he’d get the transfer he deserved and it got here when he made his switch to Forest.
“It was nice as a result of Scott progressed hundreds at Aberdeen. I had the pleasure of seeing him come by then taking part in alongside him. He’s a very good participant, such a fantastic lad, he deserves every little thing he will get.”
Taylor has seen McKenna cross each take a look at internationally and domestically with flying colors. He is aware of questions can be requested if he'll reduce it within the English Premier League however Taylor doesn’t consider there's any doubt on that entrance.
He claimed: “Nothing will faze him as a result of he believes in his personal capacity as he ought to. Has nice individuals round him as properly. After all, he could make the step up, he’s totally able to that step up.
“He’s been a hit as a result of he has a fantastic angle and real capacity. Scott has every little thing that you'd need in a modern-day centre-back.”
McKenna isn’t the one one celebrating Forest’s promotion as it should additionally web Aberdeen a tidy seven-figure price as a part of a clause in his switch.
Taylor mentioned: “It’s big for Aberdeen, there’s a giant rebuild in the intervening time.”