Aberdeen defender Greg Leigh has no doubt team-mate Scott McKenna would be a success in England.
Nottingham Forest and Queens Park Rangers have had bids knocked back for the defender, who has handed in a written transfer request in a bid to force a move.
McKenna is expected to be on the plane to Croatia for tomorrow’s Europa League qualifier against HNK Rijeka unless a club meets Aberdeen’s valuation for the player.
Former Manchester City, Bradford and Bury left back Leigh, who joined the Dons in the summer, has already seen enough from the Scotland international to suggest he would have no problem adjusting to life south of the border.
He said: “I’m not at all surprised by the interest.
“He is a special talent.
“I had heard about him before I had signed so it is really good to play with him.
“It is great to play next to someone who is so confident on and off the ball.
“He pushes me on to be my best and do what I can do, rather than looking for me to always cover for him.
“He wants me to go do my thing rather than worrying too much. Every full back wants that.
“He is only 22 so the possibilities are endless.
“If he takes that next step it would depend how he develops and who takes him on.
“I have heard a lot about his development.
“I work with him every day so I know he is a tough lad.
“He can go as high as he wants.
“In England, it is all about proving yourself at certain levels to move on.
“That is the case for anyone who has moved on to the Championship or the Premier League.
“Look at Kieran Trippier, he had to do it in on loan in the Championship before getting his chance in the English Premier League and now he is in Spain with Atletico Madrid.
“It is different in England compared to other places such as Spain or France.
“People have to prove themselves to kick on and that will be down to Scott, wherever his next step is.”
Leigh has made an instant impression at the Dons following his loan move from NAC Breda, scoring on his debut in the 5-0 victory against Georgian side Chikhura Sachkhere.
The 24-year-old has been delighted the Reds have clicked so early into the season.
He said: “I am a little bit surprised as I have been involved in teams before that have brought in a lot of players, especially last year and the year before, and it didn’t work as well.
“The one thing this manager and the club do well is they bring in personalities who want to work hard and do well.
“They are also good people. I am really excited by the fact that a lot of the players are just good people to hang around outside of football.
“That really helps bringing the dressing-room together to work hard for each other.
“It has helped with understanding how each other plays and how we can work to our strengths.
“That is the difference to my previous clubs as at this club they put their egos aside and work as a unit.
“That is really instrumental from the gaffer.”