"It looks like Celtic and Rangers..." - Carlton Palmer hands Middlesbrough blow in Nottingham Forest transfer race | OneFootball

Highlights

EFL pundit Carlton Palmer believes Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna would prefer to join Celtic or Rangers over Middlesbrough - with the Scottish pair said to be keen to sign him on loan with a view to offering him a permanent contract in the summer.

The 27-year-old looks as though he could be on the move this month as he has not featured for Forest since September and is into the final six months of his current contract at The City Ground.

Boro were linked with a double-swoop for McKenna and fellow Reds centre-back Joe Worrall ahead of January. Their hopes were boosted when reports emerged about a bust-up between the defender and the Forest owners, which is believed to have left no way back for him despite the appointment of new manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

However, the Teessiders have been joined in the race by Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers, who Sky Sports have claimed are keen to agree a loan move with a view to a permanent deal in the summer.

Scott McKenna likely to favour Celtic or Rangers move

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Palmer has suggested that McKenna is likely to favour a move back north of the border as it could lead to a permanent deal with Celtic or Rangers in the future.

He explained: "Celtic and Rangers are competing for Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna in the January transfer window.

"McKenna's future at Forest is uncertain and he may change clubs during the window.

"Middlesbrough are keen on signing him on loan but given that Celtic and Rangers are interested in signing McKenna on loan with a view to a permanent deal, you feel the player will want to go to one of those clubs.

"He fell down the pecking order prior to Steve Cooper's dismissal and the new manager, Nuno, has not provided him a route back to the first team.

"It was reported in December that Middlesbrough were leading the chase to sign McKenna but in the January transfer window, it looks like Celtic or Rangers are set to offer him a loan move with a view to a permanent deal in the summer."

Missing McKenna would be a blow for Boro

Palmer makes a strong point, the potential of a permanent deal at Celtic or Rangers is likely to be very tempting for McKenna and may mean Boro find it hard to get a deal done.

For a Scotland international who started his career in the Scottish Premiership, you do wonder whether an Old Firm club may be too tempting to turn down.

That would undoubtedly be a blow for a side that need defensive reinforcements this month and will have felt they were well-placed to make the most of the uncertainty at Forest.

McKenna is a proven quantity at Championship level, having helped the Reds win promotion under Steve Cooper, and he could've been just what Michael Carrick and co. needed in the Championship top six race.

It hasn't felt like Boro have really been at their best this term but they're still in the play-off mix - 12th in the table and four points back from sixth-placed Sunderland - so some shrewd business this month could be the difference.

If that's not going to include McKenna, then they need to have the right alternative lined up.