Scotland boss Alex McLeish is right not to ignore Scott McKenna says Aberdeen team-mate Kari Arnason
The 21-year-old is set to be named in Big Eck's first squad for the games with Costa Rica and Hungary this month
KARI ARNASON says Scotland manager Alex McLeish is right not to ignore fellow Aberdeen defender Scott McKenna.
The Iceland stopper, 35, is jetting off to play friendlies against Peru and Mexico later this month as his nation steps up preparations for the World Cup Finals in Russia.
Scotland will get ready for the Euro 2020 qualifiers by travelling to face Peru on May 29 and Mexico on June 2.
McKenna, 21, is set to be named in McLeish’s first squad for the games with Costa Rica and Hungary this month.
Arnason said: “I think he’s shown with his pace and strength he can go toe-to-toe with anyone. He can definitely push on.
“He’s got quite a future. He has all the potential in the world plus the physique.
“I’ve watched Scotty here every day in training and he applies himself.
“I would say he should definitely be in or around the squad.
“He’s physically very strong and he is the quickest player in the team, which is quite unusual for such a big boy. He also has a great left foot.
“He’s got a lot of strengths. He just needs to keep his head down and keep improving and the sky’s the limit.”
McKenna has done so well for the Dons this season that he has been selected ahead of Arnason.
But the veteran stopper is now back in the side as he gets ready for summer clashes with the likes of Lionel Messi and Luka Modric.
Arnason added: “I have been quite a big part of the Iceland team in the last few years and I just hope that I will be involved in the summer.
“Obviously the more games that I play, the better it is for me. There is no shying away from that.
“I just need to focus on my football and get as many games as I can. Wherever you go, you want to play.
“I wanted to play in a more competitive league and for a better team and I got that chance. That was why I signed for Aberdeen.”