I’ll shoot us back to big time now I’m back where I belong
Skippy relishing return to United’s attack for crunch
SCOTT McDONALD insists he’s ready to fire Dundee United back to the Premiership – now he’s back in his favoured striking slot.
The former Celtic star geared up for tonight’s play-off quarter-final first leg with Dunfermline by netting the clincher in a 2-0 win over Livingston on Saturday.
The veteran Aussie has been used in a deeper role in recent weeks but is now back up front and plans to grab the goals that seal promotion.
Skippy said: “I enjoyed playing up front again on Saturday. It’s where I do my best work. I’m a centreforward aren’t I?
“There’s competition for places but if you look at the second half of this season, I’ve played up front not even a handful of times.
“I don’t get frustrated with it because it’s another string to my bow.
“Ideally though I like to play up front and score goals. I’ve done that all my life.”
It has been a disappointing season for title favourites United who will have to do it the hard way if they want to reach the top flight.
Livingston await the winners of their clash with the Pars and they will then play for the right to face the second-bottom team in the Premiership. It’s a tall order but McDonald, 34, said: “I’m one of the more experienced ones in the dressing room so if I’m calm and composed I hope it can help the rest.”
Boss Csaba Laszlo has told his players to grasp the chance to make themselves heroes. He said: “This is where we want to be.
“They have a wonderful opportunity to get back into the Premiership.”
Pars winger Fraser Aird is out to banish memories of his play-off pain.
Along with United’s Bilel Mohsni he was part of the Rangers squad crushed by Motherwell in the 2015 final. And Aird lost out to United last season in the semis while at Falkirk.
The Canada international said: “United scored in the last minute to knock us out.
“That’s the play-offs. You think you’re in the driving seat and then something else happens. But we’re in the best form possible going into the fixtures.”
Aird dazzled in the 4-0 win over Dumbarton on Saturday that sealed Dunfermline’s play-off spot, scoring and setting up two other goals.
Sir Alex Ferguson was watching his old team from the stand and Aird said: “Hopefully Sir Alex enjoyed my performance!
“I’m hitting form at just the right time.”