Aberdeen and Scotland defender Scott McKenna could be facing Euro 2020 qualifier knockout

Scott McKenna is a major doubt for Scotland’s opening Euro 2020 qualifier after playing through the pain barrier for Aberdeen yesterday.

The Dons defender was pressed into action against Livingston despite struggling with a thigh injury after Andy Considine failed a late fitness test.

The 22-year-old sported a heavily-strapped leg against Livi – and Derek McInnes last night revealed his efforts may have negatively impacted his chances of flying to Kazakhstan with Scotland.

“I’ll speak to Alex McLeish tonight and assess Scott,” said the Aberdeen boss.

“If he does travel I’m not sure if he’s going to be fit for that first game.

“I think we’ve got to be sensible and the game on Thursday might just come too quick.

“There are a lot of factors to take in – the tightness of the thigh, the travelling, the astroturf pitch, it might be a game too soon.

“I wouldn’t want to rule him out now. I’m not a medical expert.

“But having spoken to the physios and doctors there, they would have a real concern for him being fit for Thursday.

“I think he’ll be fit for the Sunday game based on what they seem to think, but I think it will be touch-and-go for Thursday.

“So we need to make a decision between us and Scotland whether he actually travels or whether he stays behind, gets his treatment and is more ready for the second game.

“Not going would be a blow for Scott because I know how keen he is to go.

“But he can’t be playing for Scotland if he’s not right.”

Aberdeen had to be content with a point against Livi after Craig Sibbald cancelled out Niall McGinn’s opener at Pittodrie.

With Rangers and Kilmarnock drawing, the Dons missed a golden chance to close the gap on their rivals for second place.

But having successfully negotiated tough games away to both Celtic and Rangers within the last seven days, McInnes was unwilling to knock his players.

Asked whether he was frustrated by his side’s slip-up, he was philosophical.

“That’s the way it is. It’s going to be like that,” he said.

“We knew that with Rangers and Kilmarnock playing something had to give and we could have gained on one or both of them.

“We haven’t, but we’ve come through a tough spell here.

“In the second half a lot of my players were running on empty. It’s a tough time for them at home at the moment but I’ll support them.

“We should be going away saying: ‘It wasn’t the best performance but we’ve won the game 1-0,’ but there’s no criticism of my players at all.”