DEREK McInnes has predicted that Scott McKenna will remain at Aberdeen despite suggestions their Ladbrokes Premiership rivals Celtic were interested in signing the Scotland centre half.

However, McInnes revealed that McKenna could be sidelined for up to eight weeks after suffering a hamstring tear in the 1-1 draw with Rangers at Pittodrie.

The 21-year-old defender, who won four caps for his country last season, has attracted interest from English Championship clubs Hull City and Swansea City this summer.

But the Aberdeen manager is confident that the player will stay in the north-east for the remainder of the 2018/19 campaign despite being linked with the Parkhead club.

“I spoke with Brendan last week and we never mentioned it,” he said. “I’m sure if there is interest I’ll be the first to hear about it.

“I think McKenna is in a good place here. He sees it that way, and I don’t expect him to move any time soon. He’s not moving great anyway, because of his hamstring. But I think he will be here with us with the window closes.”

McInnes added: “I don’t know how long he’ll be out for yet. It’s a tear. There are different levels of tear. The best case scenario is a couple of weeks, the worst case is it could be six to eight weeks.”