Scott McKenna was rightly receiving all the plaudits last night after another outstanding performance for the national team.

It is an incredible story. Since late in August the central defender has gone from the Aberdeen U20s, to the Scotland U21s, to the Aberdeen first team, to captaining the Scotland U21s and now looks set to become a regular in the Scotland national side. Despite his rapid progress Scott continues to take it all in his stride. He was back at Pittodrie today, even although the first team players had a day off, working in the gym and talking time to speak to all the office staff.

 Neil Simpson

Neil Simpson, Head of the AFC Youth Academy, spoke to afc.co.uk about the latest AFC graduate who has made the national grade:

“Over the two games he seemed to revel on the international scene. He looked as though he had 30 or 40 caps as opposed to being a debutant coming into the international stage.

“It just shows you the measure of the man.

“He has a fantastic temperament and attitude as well as work rate.

“The way he went about being a professional footballer, really since the first day he became part of the Youth Academy, impressed everyone who came across Scott.

“At a young age Scott was maybe not the best player in his age group but he had an incredible work ethic. He was always practicing his heading – his heading technique and his passing. There were two of his biggest strengths in the two international games.

“He is a very down to earth guy who wants to do well in everything he does. He always gives 100%. He wants to improve every day in training. You can see now that he is getting the rewards for all the hard work that he has put in.

“We always say to all our young players, work hard and be ready for when your opportunity comes. He was certainly well ready for it and is now a regular in the Aberdeen team and I am hopeful after his performances for Scotland, he will now be a regular starter for the national team.

“Alex McLeish was a similar age, 21, when he broke into the Scotland squad. I remember when big Alex was first involved, and he may even have played a couple of games in midfield. He played some games in midfield for Aberdeen at that time. But as we all know, Alex then went on to become one of the country’s top centre halfs. I don’t want to start comparing Scott to Alex, but there is a similar level headedness, and both have an inner strength.

Scott McKenna in action for Scotland

“It gives everyone connected with the Youth Academy a lift. I spoke to Colin Walker today who is retired now but was with the club for many years. For Colin and all the coaches who had worked with Scott as he came through the age groups, everyone is just so delighted because they knew what Scott is like as a person, they know his family.

“It is a great story.

“It was a good night for the Academy with Ryan Fraser and Kenny McLean also involved.

“His story is a great example for all our kids who are involved with us. For some of the U20s at the moment who have aspirations of being in the first team, as well as all our future youth academy graduates.

“Similar to Scott, Ryan Fraser has a story to tell as he got to where he is today because of his work ethic. Ryan at U15 level was not a regular starter in the team but we encouraged him and helped him develop and he had the determination to succeed.

“Seeing the players Ryan and Scott have become is fantastic and makes all the hard work worthwhile.”