This is our perspective on Scott McKenna, the Scotland international, who in just six months has left a much bigger mark than many foreign players before him.
In its history, Dinamo had a player who won golden ball, some of the best footballers from the former country who won world and Olympic medals, conquered the world with the Vatreni at the turn of a century and in the next two and a half decades. And if he were to put together the ideal eleven of the Blues from Maksimirska 128, surely not a single foreign footballer would have a place in the ideal line-up. However, a team of foreign soccer players also paraded through that street in the northeast of the city, which could certainly make a very, very decent team.
Not to list everything now, this is the story of Scott McKenneythe stopper of the Scottish football team, who left a special impression on me in just six months. I know, these are all subjective impressions and reactions, but that stout boy, who somehow doesn’t like the ‘kilt’, got under my skin too quickly. And, the first encounter with that name and surname in the context of coming to Maksimir was as follows. Kamil Grabara (26), the goalkeeper of Wolfsburg and the Polish national team, made a statement about McKenney:
“Scott McKenna is the worst footballer I’ve ever seen in my life. Now he’s playing in Las Palmas, I don’t know how on earth he was the worst footballer I’ve ever played with and I just had no patience for him. I had situations in training where we were doing some drills and he did it his way three times. The fourth time I told him not to do it like that and the fifth time he did the same again. I couldn’t stand it, there were minor and major arguments and I just couldn’t stand him, neither He didn’t treat me like a great friend and he was the only one I didn’t feel like training and talking to.”
After only a few games in the blue jersey, the Scotsman, who is Zvonimir Boban personally went to the airport, after they had agreed on the job beforehand, it was clear that Dinamo got a football player who can be trusted. Although he doesn’t come from a country that can boast of great technicians, Scott McKenna surprised even there.
“As a stopper, who played at the highest level, I can say that Scott McKenna is Dinamo’s reinforcement for me. I liked his left foot, technically he is better than perhaps expected, but he is undoubtedly a footballer with good tactics, fine positioning, and hiding his only flaw – which is speed. However, he has learned to compensate for that by thinking and certainly that he is a footballer who has shown that he has adapted quickly in a short time and you have the feeling that he is here For a long time, what is most important for me is that he is a player you can trust.” former Dinamo football player and Croatian national team player Stjepan Tomas told his impression of the Scot. In the meetings with Celta, Betis and perhaps even more so Lille, these flaws came to the fore even more. Namely, the short injury of Dominguez, his partner in the stopper positions, hinted that there are also flaws.
“As an attacker, I always look at stoppers differently, as I do at opponents. With McKenna, I saw that he reads the game very well, that he is very educated about his opponents. He knows exactly when someone is fast and how to position himself, that’s probably when Dominguez takes over such a player. I heard all the best about him from circles close to the club, so I think Boban did a good job there.” – he told us Ardijan Koznikua former striker Dinamo and Hajduk.
The Scottish national team member arrived in Zagreb with his family, and in one of his interviews with the Croatian media, he revealed how he managed in Zagreb:
“I come from a small Scottish town, Zagreb is a much bigger city, and even though it is the capital, everything is quite relaxed. The intensity is high at matches, especially because of the fans, but that is expected in a big club. I like the city, there are many options, you can go anywhere by tram. It is very safe and the people are very friendly. I live near Maksimir Park, so it is the perfect option for me for walks and coffee. And that ritual of drinking coffee at your place is something special, different and I respect that very much. He explained that he didn’t regret coming to Maksimir for a moment. “I didn’t know what to expect, but the quality of the league surprised me. A lot of teams try to play football, build the game from the back line, the quality is high. What is important is the fact that we are a team that has width, has good players, a quality bench. We went through certain crises, but we are at the top, and we have to play even better in the rest of the season in order to achieve our goals.”
He quickly grew into the hearts of Dinamo fans, who described him as follows:
“His game is characterized by an excellent sense of positioning, timely interventions and uncompromising duels, in which he always shows heart and character. In addition, Scott also stands out for his leadership qualities – he loudly organizes the defense, motivates his teammates and shows by example what it means to wear the Dinamo jersey. Professionalism and the desire to win can be seen in every performance for GNK Dinamo. McKenna does not play only for the result, but also for the coat of arms on his chest, respecting the club’s traditions and the passion of his fans. His firmness, experience and calmness make him an important part of Dinamo’s team and a reliable support in the most difficult matches.”
Eternal helper Robert Prosinecki, Gordan Ciprić he is also full of praise for the Celt.
“I was surprised by how quickly he adapted. I’ve been in this business for a long time and I know that it’s the hardest part. Well, everyone speaks English, but with new players it always takes a certain amount of time. With him, it’s as if it wasn’t necessary, he looks like he’s been here for a long time. And that leadership trait is something you’re born with, you have it somewhere in you, and in the end if you’re hardworking and honest it comes out. The fact is that McKenna grew up with Miha Zajc and it’s really a real reinforcement.”
