Celtic have been linked with Scott McKenna last summer and every summer, his relegation at Las Palmas and mooted relegation release clause may mean he’s back on our radar…
RCD Espanyol de Barcelona v UD Las Palmas – La Liga EA Sports Scott McKenna and Alejo Veliz play during the match between RCD Espanyol and UD Las Palmas, corresponding to week 38 of LaLiga EA Sports, at the RCDE Stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on May 24, 2025. Photo Urbanandsport
Celtic have been linked with several players already this season but other than at left back there has been relatively few central defenders linked with Celtic, other than a possible return to the club for Norwegian International Kristoffer Ajer.
Kristoffer Ajer of Brentford arrives at the stadium prior to the Premier League match between Brentford FC and Fulham FC at Gtech Community Stadium on May 18, 2025 in Brentford, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)
That may change given Las Palmas relegation from La Liga has them looking to offload up to 50% of their squad over the summer. One of those expected to leave Las Palmas is Scottish international Scott McKenna, whom Celtic were heavily rumoured to have been trying to sign last summer following the defender’s exit from EPL side Nottingham Forest.
Scott McKenna of Scotland in action during the UEFA Nations League 2024/25 League A Group A1 match between Scotland and Poland at on September 05, 2024. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
On the back of rumours McKenna’s wage demands were too high, the left footed central defender ended up making the move to Spain. The Herald reported on that here: ‘Scotland centre-half Scott McKenna opens door to summer move to Celtic’
Now according to Spanish publication udlaspalms.net McKenna has a transfer release clause on the back of Las Palmas relegation and may not remain with the club next season.
‘Up to four players are out of contract on 30 June and will not continue at UD Las Palmas: Javi Muñoz, Campaña, Jaime Mata and Benito Ramírez. The last two, according to some media, could have a renewal proposal, although nothing official has been made by the club.
‘To these four names must be added that of the Scots Oli McBurnie and Scott McKenna and the DutchmanJasperCillessen. The striker has already confirmed that he is a free agent due to a clause activated after relegation, so everything indicates that the case of Scott McKenna and Cillessen – with salaries that are too high for the Second Division – will be similar.’
RC Celta de Vigo v UD Las Palmas – La Liga EA Sports Scott McKenna of UD Las Palmas plays during the La Liga EA Sports match between RC Celta de Vigo and UD Las Palmas at Estadio Abanca Balaidos in Vigo, Spain, on March 31, 2025. Vigo Pontevedra Spain Photo Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey
Celtic signed Auston Trusty from Sheffield United last season and after some initial promise, Brendan Rodgers brought Liam Scales back into the team after Trusty’s form took a dip. As such if Brendan Rodgers is unconvinced by either Scales or Trusty there may be scope to look at Scott McKenna as an alternative.
The former Aberdeen player is a known Celtic supporter and had been looking to return north of the border prior to his Las Palmas move.
Brendan Rodgers arrives at Ibrox. theRangers v Celtic, 4 May 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)
Given Rodgers’ previous interest in the player, perhaps this deal is one Celtic could revisit. McKenna is unlikely to want to be playing in the Spanish second tier and that is highly likely to have an impact on his Scotland squad selection with a possible World Cup ahead next summer.
McKenna is a name that may well be on a list of potential centre-backs that Celtic are looking at and this time any deal might just work for all parties, unlike last summer, or the summer before…
Niall J
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