Scott McKenna handed Barcelona heartbreak as 'curious' yellow card bans star from repeating heroics

Scotland defender Scott McKenna will have to watch his side take on Barcelona from the stand, after a "curious" yellow card earned him a ban.

The 28-year-old former Nottingham Forest and Aberdeen man, who joined Scotland teammate Oli McBurnie in making the move to La Liga over the summer, was a standout performer as Los Amarillos made history by winning away to Barcelona for the first time in 53 years back in November. Goals from Sandro Ramirez and Rangers flop Fabio Silva did the damage, but it was the battling qualities of the rock solid McKenna that earned praise from his boss after the game.

However, Robert Lewandowski and co will now be licking their lips at the prospect of heading the strugglers for revenge, with a late yellow card for McKenna ruling him out of the February 22 clash. McKenna picked up the booking for a shirt tug on Cyle Larin during Las Palmas' defeat to Mallorca - his fifth of the campaign - but it came as the final whistle was blown.

Fan website UDLasPalmas.net said: "The most curious thing about Scott McKenna's yellow card is that it was in the last play of the match, when he grabbed Cyle Larin with time already up and when the ball had not yet reached the red-and-white striker." McKenna's booking was reported by referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias as being: "For holding an opponent, doing so in an obvious and persistent manner."

McKenna has made himself a mainstay of Las Palmas' defence, with his suspension considered a blow by Estadio Deportivo, who said: "The Scottish centre-back arrived in the summer transfer market at no cost from Nottingham Forest. The player has established himself as the centre of defence for the Canary Islands. Diego Martinez has full confidence in the defender, who is