McDonald’s selfish streak brings back former glories

SCOTT McDONALD believes he is almost back to his prime after becoming more selfish in front of goal. The 32-year-old Motherwell front man rolled back the years on Tuesday night with a stylish second-half double which destroyed Dundee United and hoisted Mark McGhee’s side up to eighth in the table in their battle to avoid the relegation play-offs. Former Celtic star McDonald struck twice after the break, including an unstoppable 25-yard drive 10 minutes from time which secured the Steelmen’s first league win in seven games. And the little Australian revealed how developing a more ruthless approach has paid dividends. ‘That was a bit like my heyday,’ he said after the 3-0 victory, which appears to have condemned United to life in the Championship next season. ‘It was nice. I said to myself before the game that I’ve got to take more risks individually and get some more shots at goal. ‘Thankfully I was able to do that. You learn so much from the game. ‘You tend to do all the right things at the right time but sometimes you’ve got to be a little bit more selfish, and I managed to get the turn on the second one and take it. ‘It was a case of taking it individually rather than passing it wide. Sometimes you’ve got to take those chances and it paid off.’ McDonald’s exploits could not have come at a better time for the Fir Park club, who had previously taken just two points from six league outings. ‘This win gets the clouds out the way a little bit and the sun starts to come through again,’ said McDonald after another former Celtic star, Stephen McManus, had put Motherwell in front just before the interval. ‘It’s been quite dark the past couple of weeks. ‘It’s amazing what a win can do.’