Scotland manager Alex McLeish could do worse than turn to Aberdeen’s Scott McKenna to solve his central defensive problems, according to Dons manager Derek McInnes.
McLeish will take charge of the national team for the first time since replacing Gordon Strachan on March 23 when Costa Rica visit Hampden before travelling to Budapest to face Hungary four days later.
The national team also have two end of season friendlies in South America to look forward to with McLeish’s men taking on Peru in Lima on May 29 and Mexico in Mexico City on June 2.
Celtic midfielder Scott Brown’s decision to retire from international football could pave the way for Dons captain Graeme Shinnie to win his first cap but McInnes believes several members of his squad have a strong chance of featuring in the country’s upcoming friendlies.
The Dons manager said: “Regardless of Scott Brown’s retirement I have got players here that have got a strong case for being involved.
“Kenny McLean has already been involved and Graeme Shinnie has been in the squad but there’s no doubt McLean, Shinnie and McKenna recently have played really well.
“I don’t know what Alex’s thinking but I spoke to him last week and we had a chat about a few of my players so time will tell.
“McKenna has dealt with everything that has come his way so why not try him?
“He is going to be involved in the under-21 squad and trying to get them qualified for the European Championships and I see a lot of merit in that as well.
“But he won’t let anybody down whatever squad he’s in and I thought he was magnificent against Celtic last weekend.
“Scott got better and better as the game went on and I thought that him and McLean were brilliant on the day and Alex would have seen that for himself on Sunday.”
McInnes, meanwhile, says he has no reservations about members of his squad being involved in the South America friendlies – even though the Dons are likely to face an early start to the 2018-19 season if they qualify for European football.
The Dons manager added: “I want the boys to be involved in the summer friendlies as it would be a huge boost for them.
“I know how important it is for all my players to be involved if they get the chance to play for their country.
“Whether that’s the games in March or the end of the season as it’s an opportunity for them to catch the eye.
“I don’t know if they’ll get in because of other players being unavailable but any chance you get to perform or train in front of the Scotland manager is one you have to take.”