ABERDEEN knocked back several big-money bids for Scott McKenna in January.

But Willo Flood insists he will need to move to England if he is going to pay his petrol bill.

4 United ace Willo Flood says McKenna owes him for petrol money Credit: Keith Campbell - The Sun Glasgow

Dundee United veteran Flood used to act as chauffeur to Dons defender McKenna when they were team-mates at Pittodrie and let the youngster kip in his Granite City flat.

Aberdeen boss Derek McInnes has slapped a £1million price tag on McKenna’s head and Hull are expected to come back in for the 21-year-old in the summer.

And Flood, 32, is rubbing his hands at the prospect of being handed the cash he’s due.

Flood, who faces McKenna and his old Dons team-mates in the Scottish Cup on Sunday, said: “I used to look after Scott. I picked him up in Kirriemuir to drive to Aberdeen.

4 Flood used to act as a chauffeur to McKenna at Dons Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

“He’s a great lad and I’m delighted to see him do so well.

“But he will need that £1m move to England because he still owes me loads of petrol money.

“I don’t think he put his hand in his pocket once for it or for rent, so when he does get his big deal I’ll be straight on to him with the backdated invoice.

“He can just send me a cheque back up the road when he gets his signing-on fee.

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“Scott is a good lad. He’s level-headed and he works hard on his game. There’s no doubt he’ll go far.

“I was having a bit of banter with him a few weeks ago, saying he couldn’t get a game at Ayr United this time last season and now he’s worth a million.

“It just shows how quickly things can turn around in football.

“It was always going to go in Scott’s favour because of his work ethic.

“He has a big future ahead of him — but I hope he doesn’t show it this weekend.”

Flood spent three years with Aberdeen and remains good pals with several Dons stars.

He revealed Graeme Shinnie and Kenny McLean have already been winding him up by reminding him to bring some protection.

But the Irish midfielder is ready to give as good as he gets in the midfield battle, with Pittodrie No 2 Tony Docherty also in his sights.

4 Shinnie and McLean have already been winding up Flood ahead of Cup clash Credit: PA:Press Association

Flood added: “I have had a few text messages from Graeme Shinnie and Kenny McLean telling me to get the shinpads on.

“Ideally I would like to get one of that pair in a tackle and smash Tony Doc with the follow through. That would be perfect!

“That might even shut Tony up for a few minutes.

“I can’t wait for the game. I had three good years at Aberdeen. It’s a well-run club with really good people working there and a top gaffer.

“For me, that’s where Dundee United need to get to in the next few years.

“It’s not that long ago Aberdeen were struggling, but they have proved if you get the right people and recruit well, you can make rapid progress.

“It will only get better for them when the new stadium and training ground is built.

“I wasn’t surprised Derek McInnes stayed at Aberdeen because he’s done so much good work there.

“He will only leave when there is a job that’s right for him.

4 McInnes has slapped a £1million price tag on McKenna's head Credit: Kenny Ramsay - The Sun Glasgow

“For him to go elsewhere he would have to feel it’s a club which fully matches his ambition.

“He’s had to rebuild his team at Aberdeen a few times, but he’s a manager people want to play for.

“When you are in his company he’s someone you just feel you want to play for straight away.

“He will have to replace Kenny McLean this summer, but he will already be forward planning and have his recruitment people on the case.

“It won’t be a surprise McLean is leaving. Norwich is a great move for him and he’s got that because he progressed at Aberdeen.”

Flood will also come up against former United pal Gary Mackay-Steven on Sunday and he recalls seeing the winger for the first time at Tannadice.

He said: “Gaz is a massive confidence player and he looks like he’s got that back now.

“I remember when Peter Houston brought him here he was only on about £200 a week and he was struggling to get in the door at first.

“But he just went from strength to strength, got his move to Celtic and is now doing well for Aberdeen.

“Gaz is one of those players that is hard to stop. If you let him get going he’ll cause you problems.

“So we will have to make sure he isn’t allowed the time and space to get going.

“It will be a tough game, but it’s a free shot for us up there because the pressure is all on Aberdeen.”

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