If you came across a Scot in Gran Canaria, you'd be forgiven for automatically assuming they're enjoying a fortnight in the sun, away from the stresses of everyday life. For Scott McKenna, however, the third-largest Canary Island is home.
The central defender joined Las Palmas last summer on a free transfer from Nottingham Forest. His team currently sit second-bottom of La Liga, flirting with relegation after what McKenna described as, up to this point, an inconsistent campaign. "Our season has been indifferent," he said.
"It was a big part of me coming to this league, the opportunity to play against top teams in top stadiums. We went our first nine games without winning, then won six of the next nine."
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Although McKenna and co have flattered to deceive so far in 2024/25, their results against El Classico rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona have proven their capabilities. Las Palmas drew 1-1 with Carlo Ancelotti's all-conquering Madrid side three games into the campaign before beating Barcelona 2-1 on the road in November thanks to a strike from ex-Rangers flop Fabio Silva.
"It's been very much up and down, but those games against Real and Barcelona showed we are capable of, and we need to replicate that," said McKenna
"When you're at a team in the lower half of the league, it's not so much about individuals. It's more about getting your team round about you."
Living abroad looks like all sunshine and rainbows on paper, but learning the local lingo can prove problematic for some ex-pats, McKenna included. "A big part for me has been the language barrier," he said.
"I try to organise players around me, but it's not as quick, and you have to be smarter. It's been a big learning curve trying to communicate and get help when you're playing against the top teams. But it's been absolutely fantastic."
One of a growing contingent of Scottish players abroad, McKenna has been called up to play for his country once again this month in a mammoth UEFA Nations League A play-off tie against Greece. Scotland's ultimatum is simple: win, and they stay at the top table. McKenna wants nothing more: "You are always better to maintain a place in the top group," he said.
"Being exposed to the top teams can only help us when, hopefully, we qualify for more major tournaments in the future."
Scotland's hotly anticipated first leg against the Greeks next Thursday will be the first of four meetings of the nations in 2025 alone. Steve Clarke's side endured a similar run with Israel a few years back, who emerged as familiar foes. "We've had this before when we kept coming across Israel and needed to play them in some big games," said McKenna.
"It does play on your mind. If we can get a couple of decent results against them and need to play them again in the qualifiers, you can take confidence, and it can play on their minds."
Some say 40 is the new 30, although at 28 years of age and with 41 caps to his name, McKenna may be viewed as a senior member of Clarke's crop. He refutes such claims but does feel at odds with the growing number of talented youngsters emerging through the ranks. "There are still boys far more experienced than me in the squad," he said.
"Some of the lads have been there five or six years longer than me. When boys at 18 come in - and I'm 28 - you naturally feel older. But we still have John McGinn, Andy Robertson, Grant Hanley, Kenny McLean and Craig Gordon in there. They are all far more experienced than me. You naturally start having more influence and being more vocal in the camp as you get older."
As well as naming the traditional Robertsons and Gordons in his latest squad, Clarke threw in a few curveballs in the form of talented teenage duo Lennon Miller and James Wilson. "It's a great opportunity for two young lads coming in, and hopefully, they can stay there," said McKenna.
"If they want to lean on me or other players, we will be there for them."
Scotland have struggled to find a natural goalscorer over the past decade and more. Che Adams and Lyndon Dykes regularly put in respectable shifts in dark blue, but their strike-to-games ratios are far from impressive.
Oli McBurnie, a man with no goals in 17 caps, is yearning to return to the fold, according to McKenna.
The defender heralded his club teammate as a changed man. "Oli would love to get back into the Scotland squad," said McKenna.
"For me, it's a different Oli from before. He's a lot calmer. He has a young family now. Minutes have been difficult for him with Fabio Silva doing so well and scoring goals.
"But his performances have been good, he's had five or six assists and all that's missing is the goals. If the goals come, people will take note - but it's ultimately down to the manager. He is a completely different character from before."
McBurnie has been handed more than half of his caps by Clarke. The national team manager has pioneered generational Scotland success in his near-on five years at the helm.
His future may be up in the air, but McKenna has nothing but admiration for the 61-year-old. "The journey he has taken us on, from where he picked the team up, and the progression we have made to qualify for two major tournaments has been great," he said.
"It will always be disappointing how we did at them - but we got there. He was the person who led us there, the person who gave the nation hope again - not just once but twice. It will be a sad day when Steve decides to leave. He will take that decision himself and he deserves to take it himself. He has been fantastic for me and fantastic for the majority of the squad."
An ex-Aberdeen man himself, while McKenna has never turned out in the blue of Rangers, he has faced their upcoming Europa League opponents, Athletic Club, this season.
The Ibrox club might be riding the crest of a wave on the continent, but an ominous warning on their latest challengers has been fired. "I remember our game against Bilbao at the start of the season," said McKenna.
"We'd just come back from an international break and my body felt terrible. Then they turned up with all guns blazing. We were 2-0 down at half-time and that was one of the first games when I thought 'wow'. They're a top team.
"The Williams brothers (Inaki and Nico) are their stand-out players. I can't work out how, when a team only selects players from the Basque country, they can put such a strong team together and be so competitive.
"Rangers will have a really tough game. But I thought they showed great character to stay in the game against Fenerbahce on Thursday night.
"It's fantastic for Scottish football that they got through and hopefully they get through again."
