McDonald out to prove point
Scott McDonald is determined to show how far Celtic have progressed during their Champions League campaign when they face Shakhtar Donetsk at Parkhead tonight.
The Bhoys lost 2-0 in Ukraine, after conceding twice in the first eight minutes.
However, McDonald, a £700,000 summer signing from Motherwell, quickly recovered from that baptism of fire to net a famous injury-time winner against AC Milan in Celtic’s next European game.
Celtic are level on six points with Shakhtar after a defeat and win against Benfica in their subsequent games – and McDonald has gone from strength to strength personally.
His goal in Saturday’s 3-0 Clydesdale Bank Premier League win over Aberdeen was his 14th of the season and cemented his status as Celtic’s main goalscoring threat.
The Australia forward is keen to keep that form going and prove to himself and Shakhtar that their defeat in Donetsk is nothing more than a distant memory.
“It’s obviously difficult when you go 2-0 down in quick succession. It’s hard to come back from that,” said the 24-year-old.
“We played a little bit better in the second half but we were still disappointed with the whole performance.
“They probably caught us on our heels in the first Champions League game. ”We never started well – but we’ve grown into it now. I’d like to think we’re getting better with each performance. The more you go along, the sweeter it gets – scoring goals – but I don’t really care who scores, as long as we get through.”
Some of the Celtic support were unsure about McDonald’s signing – especially when they thought back to his two late goals for Motherwell that cost the Hoops the 2005 Scottish Premier League title.
However, he has surprised even his most optimistic backers and is keen to continue his impressive form on the big stage.
“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the European games – the Celtic Park nights especially,” he said.
“These are special nights and the games you want to play in, so you can show people what we can do.
“I’ve got the belief that I can score in every game at the moment, so I hope I can get on the scoresheet and help the team get the three points we need. Every game you play is something special – every team, not just Milan. Benfica and Shakhtar have exceptional players as well.”
Celtic will go through if they better Shakhtar’s 2-0 win and Benfica fail to beat Milan, but McDonald remains wary.
“A 3-0 win would mean we go through – but we’re not getting carried away,” he said.
“We just want to win the game first and foremost – and if we can do it in style then that will be great. The main point is to get three points.”
