Derek McInnes insists Aberdeen have no interest or need to cash in on Scott McKenna this month.
And the Pittodrie gaffer reckons the defender’s value could increase by helping Scotland to Euro 2020.
McKenna is attracting interest again this month having been the subject of admiring glances in previous windows.
But having secured the 23-year-old on a long-term contract, McInnes said: “We don’t want to sell him.
“I don’t think there will ever be a time when it’s good for us on the football side to sell McKenna. To maximise value, clearly the club will need to look at it in the next 18 months.
“But I don’t agree we need to sell Scott in this window. He still has two years on his contract and I’d say it’s once it gets past that stage.
“But I’m hoping Scotland qualify for a major finals and he’s part of that.
“Playing for Scotland isn’t something we take for granted and I don’t know for certain what Steve Clarke thinks but, for me, he’s a first choice now for the country.
“So if McKenna keeps doing what he’s doing for us, and goes into the play-off game in good form, then hopefully he’s part of the team that takes the country to a major championships.
“Then he can show himself in that type of company.”
McInnes admits interest will likely ramp up again in the closing days of the window.
He added: “Like any manager or club I’d like to deal with any offers for key players early in the window.
“But while they call it the January window, most offers only come in the last few days. Panic sets in and clubs start to show their hand.
“If someone comes in for Scott we just need to react to that and try to deal with it the best we can. That will be up to Dave Cormack and the board.
“Anybody looking at his performances over the last month or so would agree he has been different class.
“Hopefully he is over his injuries and can concentrate on that level of performance because when he plays like he has done in the last wee while there is no doubt he’s on the radar of other clubs.
“I’ve been in football a long time and have come across good players but when you put that with the drive he’s got then good things will happen for him.”
