Celtic FC eye transfer raid for ex-Nottm Forest man - Coventry, Ipswich, and Millwall must plot hijack | OneFootball

Coventry, Ipswich, and Millwall should look to sign Scott McKenna ahead of Celtic this summer

Scottish defender Scott McKenna is set to be a man in demand this summer, with his performances in Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb attracting interest from closer to home.

29-year-old Scott McKenna is enjoying life away from the United Kingdom, currently thriving in the top-flight of Croatia with Dinamo Zagreb.

Having come through the ranks with Aberdeen, McKenna first made the move to England with Nottingham Forest in the summer of 2020, moving to the City Ground for upwards of £6 million whilst the club was still in the Championship.

Ankle injuries disrupted his first season in Nottingham, but he would play a crucial role in their promotion to the Premier League under Steve Cooper, playing all but one game in the second tier, and continued to be a valued member of their squad in the top flight.

Having seen his minutes slowly decrease in the Premier League, he would embark on a European journey with FC Copenhagen, and has since spent time with Las Palmas, and most recently Dinamo Zagreb, where he looks set to win his first top-flight title this season.

His performances have seen Scottish giants Celtic touted with a move for McKenna, with the Croatian side demanding around £10 million for the 29-year-old, as FLW takes a look at three EFL clubs that should look to hijack the Hoops move this summer.

Coventry City

After a wonderful season, Coventry City's promotion to the top flight is edging ever closer to being confirmed, with a point away to Blackburn Rovers on Friday being enough to officially secure their top-flight status once again after a 25-year absence.

Frank Lampard has done a remarkable job since replacing Mark Robins at the helm at the CBS Arena, and is on the cusp of going down in Coventry folklore for his performances from the dugout.

Ahead of their inevitable promotion, preparations for the summer will have already begun, as the Sky Blues aim to cement their status in the Premier League with some important signings.

Bobby Thomas and Liam Kitching have been the club's main duo at the heart of defence across the year, with Joel Latibeaudiere performing admirably when called upon, but may need one or two more bodies arriving to bolster their back line.

McKenna has previous experience of playing in the Premier League and has shone across the continent since leaving the UK in January 2024, but could well be in line for a return this summer.

At 29, the Scot will get few more chances to stake his claim as a top-flight player, and the chance to work under Lampard in the top-flight could be an attractive proposition for him.

A strong, physically imposing centre-half, McKenna would add some much-needed bite and sturdiness to Coventry's defence, something which they will require across the campaign, and should swoop in ahead of Celtic to make a move this summer.

Ipswich Town

Like Coventry, Ipswich Town are looking increasingly likely to secure their place back in the Premier League once again, with their recent 2-0 win away at bitter rivals Norwich City putting them in the driving seat ahead of both Middlesbrough and Millwall.

Head coach Kieran McKenna is aiming to make it three promotions in four full seasons in charge at Portman Road, and should they return to the top flight, he will undoubtedly be keen to cement the club's status there once and for all.

Dara O'Shea and Cedric Kipre have been McKenna's preferred choice in the middle of defence for the majority of this season, with Jacob Greaves forced to play as a backup as a result.

Heading back to the top flight, Kipre's loan move from Reims will become a permanent one, though further strengthening will need to be made in that area regardless.

McKenna should therefore look to make a move for his namesake, currently plying his trade in Croatia, as an option to bolster his back line in preparation for top-flight football.

Tractor Boys should join Celtic in the race for his signature.

Millwall

With just one win in their last five league games, the play-offs are looking increasingly likely to be Millwall's best route into the Premier League.

Led by Alex Neil, should the Lions indeed go into the play-offs, they have every right to fancy their chances, with Neil having previously guided both Norwich and Sunderland to promotions the same way.

Should they be a Premier League club next season, upgrades will be imperative to any sort of survival challenge they may put up, with defence a key area to solidify.

The likes of Tristan Crama, Jake Cooper, and Caleb Taylor have been excellent this season, though doubts about whether any of them are ready to make the step up persist.

Crama has excelled at both right-back and centre-back across the campaign, and should Neil see the Frenchman's future on the right, another centre-back will be crucial.

McKenna embodies Millwall DNA in terms of his robust, no-nonsense nature from the back, and would likely fit in seamlessly alongside Cooper in Neil's preferred back four.