McDONALD TEMPTED TO TANNADICE BY TITLE TUSSLE
Scott MCDONALD is fully aware eyebrows will be raised at his decision to drop down into the championship to sign for Dundee United but he insists the opportunity to win something overshadowed the prospect of another grim season scrapping against relegation.
the 33-year-old former celtic striker appeared set to return to australia this summer but considered his options once it became clear he would be remaining in the United Kingdom.
St Johnstone and Partick thistle were keen to keep him in the Premiership, while a lucrative offer came in from south of the border. However, the challenge presented by United’s quest for a return to the top flight won the day.
twelve months ago, McDonald turned down the chance to be reunited with his old celtic manager, neil lennon, at Hibernian.
He will not go as far as to say he regretted that decision — but watching the Easter Road side go on to win the championship at the same time as he was struggling at the bottom end of the Premiership with Motherwell has clearly had a bearing on his latest move.
‘When I knew I was probably going to be staying, it had to be something that was going to get the juices flowing for me,’ said McDonald.
‘I had been at Motherwell for a couple of years and it had been a great time, and obviously I have a great affiliation with the football club. But I needed something that was going to get me challenged, and this certainly is a challenge, in terms of trying to win something.
‘at my stage in my career, that’s what’s going to bring out the best in me, and that’s why I’m here.
‘What’s the point in just another season in the top flight? It was more important to me to try to achieve something. I’m a winner and possibly I had the opportunity to do it last year, and — looking back, rightly or wrongly — turned it down at Hibs.
‘a year on, I’ve got another opportunity to do it and it certainly feels right this time to come and do it. It’s a new chapter in my career and I think I needed that. I had been at Motherwell on two separate occasions and sometimes a change of scenery is something you need.
‘If people want to question why I’ve come down a division then fine, but I know why I’ve done that. I know where this club should be and I’m really looking forward to the challenge.
‘there’s no question we’re going to be favourites for the championship and it’s up to us to handle that and make sure we hit the ground running. Dundee United are the big name in the league and it excites me to be here.
‘We’ve got a Premiership side here and it’s up to us to grab the league by the scruff of the neck and, hopefully, I can play a big part in getting the club up.
‘Winning something is far more appealing. last season was a tough year at Motherwell as well. We scrapped against relegation for a long period of that. to come here and be part of that, and hopefully be successful, would be amazing.’
McDonald, who won the league and league cup during his twoand-a-half seasons with celtic, confesses to being short of fitness but will be assessed this week and is desperate to make his debut in Sunday’s Dundee derby in the Betfred cup.
‘It’s a fantastic game, not a bad one to introduce yourself in,’ he smiled. ‘It would be nice if we could get the win, first and foremost, and if I could play a part and make some headlines that would nice, too.’
United are currently without summer signing James Keatings because of an ankle ligament injury and his fellow striker Patrick n’Koyi because of a thigh strain and manager Ray McKinnon is thrilled to have recruited someone of McDonald’s experience.
‘He’s turned down two Premiership teams and a big offer in England to come and play for us, so we’re delighted,’ he said.
‘We needed someone to be that box predator and that is him.’