Scott McKenna’s title triumph at Dinamo Zagreb complicates Celtic’s pursuit

Key facts

• Dinamo Zagreb won the Croatian top-flight title after beating Varazdin, building a 15-point lead.
• Scott McKenna assisted in the 2-1 win that clinched the title, his first major honour at age 29.
• McKenna joined Dinamo from Las Palmas last summer and has been virtually ever-present since.
• Dinamo Zagreb rejected offers around £10 million for McKenna before the title win.
• Celtic have made enquiries for McKenna ahead of the summer transfer window.
• Dinamo have four league matches remaining, starting away at Gorica on 2 May.
• Dinamo have beaten Gorica three times in a row since an early-season defeat, including a 6-3 Cup win.

Title-clinching assist boosts McKenna’s profile

Scott McKenna provided an assist in Dinamo Zagreb’s 2-1 victory over Varazdin that secured the Croatian championship, a result that pushed their lead at the top of the table to 15 points. The 29-year-old Scottish defender, who joined from Las Palmas last summer, has been a mainstay in the lineup and played a direct role in the decisive moment of the title race. This is McKenna’s first major honour, a milestone that has been a long time coming. His consistent performances have made him a key figure in Dinamo’s continued dominance as Croatia’s most successful club.

Dinamo’s £10 million valuation now a starting point

Celtic have expressed interest in McKenna and made enquiries ahead of the summer window, but Dinamo Zagreb have already rejected offers around £10 million. That baseline was set before the title was secured; now that McKenna has contributed directly to a championship win, the same figure carries different weight. Dinamo are preparing for the possibility of a departure but from a position of control rather than pressure. The club can now dictate terms, and the valuation is expected to rise beyond the initial £10 million asking price.

Coach Kovačević eyes winning finish to season

Dinamo head coach Mario Kovačević said the team celebrated briefly after securing the title but quickly returned to work. “We are champions, that’s what we wanted, to mathematically secure the title as soon as possible, and now our obligation is to continue playing like winners,” he stated ahead of the away match against Gorica on 2 May. Dinamo have faced Gorica four times this season, losing the first encounter but winning the subsequent three, including a 6-3 Cup semi-final victory. Kovačević acknowledged Gorica’s quality, particularly their midfield, but expressed confidence in his own side: “I believe we are better and more quality. I believe that on Saturday we won’t make those mistakes like in the Cup and that we’ll be smarter.”

Rotation expected but no major changes

With the title already secured, Kovačević indicated he may rest some players with minor issues and give opportunities to those who have played less. However, he stressed there would be no major changes to the lineup. The only confirmed absence is midfielder Miha Zajc, who remains unavailable. “It shouldn’t be difficult even without motivation, as champions it’s our obligation to continue showing good games,” Kovačević said. The coach’s focus remains on playing well and winning, despite the reduced stakes in the remaining four league fixtures.

Celtic face steeper price as Dinamo hold firm

The timing of McKenna’s title win is significant for Celtic, who were reportedly monitoring the defender before the championship was decided. Dinamo’s firm stance on the £10 million valuation, even before the title, indicated a high floor for negotiations. Now, with McKenna’s stock raised, any deal will likely require a significantly higher fee. Dinamo’s negotiating position is strengthened by the fact that they are under no pressure to sell. The club can afford to wait for an offer that meets their revised expectations, leaving Celtic to decide whether to meet the increased demands or look elsewhere.

McKenna’s first trophy underscores his value

At 29, McKenna has finally secured a major honour, adding a Croatian championship to his career achievements. His journey from Las Palmas to becoming a title-winning contributor at Dinamo highlights his resilience and importance to the team. For Celtic, the prospect of bringing McKenna back to Scotland remains appealing, but the financial hurdle has grown. Dinamo’s control of the situation means any transfer will be on their terms, with the title win serving as a powerful bargaining chip.

The bottom line

• Scott McKenna’s assist in the title-clinching win has increased his transfer value beyond the initial £10 million baseline.
• Dinamo Zagreb rejected offers around £10 million before winning the title, and now hold a stronger negotiating position.
• Celtic have made enquiries for McKenna but face a higher asking price and a seller under no pressure to sell.
• Dinamo coach Mario Kovačević plans to rotate the squad slightly for the remaining league matches but expects continued winning performances.
• McKenna’s first major honour at age 29 underscores his importance to Dinamo’s domestic dominance.