mcdonald aims to break pre-season duck

Gregor Kyle
THE pre-season programme is ticking along nicely for Scott McDonald, with the only missing ingredient so far being goals.

After a prolific, 31-goal debut campaign at Celtic Park, the Australian striker is still waiting to hit the back of the net after three friendlies against Southampton, Fulham and Middlesbrough.

McDonald will be hoping that changes against Cardiff City in the final game of the Algarve Challenge Cup this evening (Thursday, July 24), but that’s not to say that he’s pressing the panic button.

He is well aware that pre-season is all about fitness and honing his reactions before the Premier League kicks off in earnest.

“All I want to do is score goals and work hard and be successful in every game, even though it's still pre-season,” said the Celtic No.7. “But you're only judged when the league season starts.

“If you've not scored in your first five or six league games, then people will start questioning you. Last pre-season I wasn't really prolific either, so I am not concerned - the goals will come.

“There's no way I'm going to say my target this year is to get 30 goals,” continued McDonald. “I just want to get the first one and take it from there.

“I'm my own biggest critic, but too much at times, as I get myself down. The gaffer realises that and gives me a kick up the backside. I can over-think things and I'm trying to get that out my game.

“But I'm never happy until I score. It's not like I come off the pitch and I'm fighting with everyone. We have a laugh about it. I've always been like that. Sometimes it can be bad, but other times it's what makes me. It gives me an extra edge.”

Such is his determination to replicate the form of last season, McDonald passed up on the opportunity to follow team-mates, Chris Killen and Evander Sno, to the Olympics in China.

They will turn out for New Zealand and the Netherlands respectively in Beijing, but although the lure of representing his national side was strong, McDonald feared for the first team place he worked so hard to earn last season.

“The offer was tempting but I felt it was more important for me to get my foot in the door again here and make sure nobody can take my place,” said McDonald. “The most important thing for me is my career with Celtic and I never want to jeopardise it.

“I was dropped for the last Olympics when I was with Motherwell and it would have been massive to play this time. Hopefully, there will be another chance for me and, if not, there's a World Cup in two years.

“What's more important to me is the Champions League and winning more honours with Celtic. That's why I signed on at the club for another five years.”

You can watch tonight’s Algarve Cup tie against Cardiff City live on Channel 67 - with the game available to ALL of the club’s online subscribers.

The game kicks off at approximately 9.30pm (Celtic Park time). To subscribe and never miss another live match – click here