Jamie’s pain at Killie KO
MacDonald was bombed out for games against Hamilton and Ross County.
The former Hearts and Falkirk star has vowed to fight for his place in Clark’s side – but says he’ll assess his situation in the summer.
MacDonald opened his heart to MailSport and said: “I’m really disappointed and I’ve found it tough.
“I felt my form was good – not just this season – but last year as well.
“So I’m gutted to be out of the team. Any footballer in this position would feel the same.
“We won last weekend so I can’t really complain about that one.
“In the short term, I need to get my head down and work hard.
“But longer term, we’ ll need to see what happens. We have to see how the team does and whether I’ve been given an opportunity to stake my claim again.
“Come the summer, if things are the same, I might need to look elsewhere.”
gamble backfired
If he was shipping goals it would be easier to accept.
If his performances weren’t up to scratch he’d be the first to admit it.
But to be bombed out by your manager through no fault of your own? It’s difficult to swallow.
That’s MacDonald’s current predicament at Kilmarnock.
The 30-year-old has arguably been the club’s best player for two seasons.
But a fortnight ago, he was controversially dropped by Lee Clark in favour of on-loan Newcastle United teenager Freddie Woodman.
MacDonald thought the gaffer simply wanted to have a look at him in a home Scottish Cup tie. That he’d be back in the following week.
After all, despite Killie’s ropey form in the Premiership, he’d been their most consistent performer.
But when he was left out of their league game against Ross County last Saturday, MacDonald was left devastated.
Even after an explanation from Clark, he’s still none the wiser as to why he’s been binned.
Certainly, the decision to throw Woodman in has raised questions about the Kilmarnock manager’s policy of recruiting loan players from his former club.
Does he HAVE to play kids who are being sent up from St James’ Park? Is that a condition of the deal?
We’ve seen it before at Rangers two years ago when Mike Ashley ordered five kids to Ibrox from Newcastle and insisted that if they were fit they had to be selected.
MacDonald is in the dark. But he knows one thing.
After initially looking at himself in the mirror and asking what mistakes he’d made – he’s now hell bent on proving to Clark that he’s the one in the wrong.
In an exclusive interview with MailSport, the shell- shocked shotstopper said: “I’m really disappointed and I’ve found the situation tough.
“Initially, I was beating myself up about it. I went home and looked at myself, questioning why it had happened.
“I was trying to figure it out, break it down.
“But after that first few days when you’re down, you have to get over it.
“All this does is give me a burning desire to force my way back in – and show the manager why I should be his No.1.
“It feels like my whole career’s been like that. I’ve always had to prove people wrong.
“I remember being told when I was younger that I was a bit small to be a goalkeeper. Certain people said I’d have to grow to make it.
“But sometimes a setback is a good thing. Because it gives you that drive to prove yourself.
“I’ve never said I’m the best keeper in the world. But I try to peform at the best of my abillity and I’ve had not too bad a career so far.
“Hopefully I’ll get back in sooner