The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Former Hoops star lured by Tannadice challenge
McDonald calls on new team-mates to ‘grab league by scruff of neck’
“The biggest thing for me was that it had to be something to get the juices flowing,” said McDonald.
“I had a great time at Motherwell but I needed something to challenge me. And the challenge here is to win something.
“At my age that will bring out the best in me. I’m a winner and I want to achieve something. I needed a new chapter at this stage of my career.
“If people want to question why I’ve come down a division then fine. But I know why I’ve done it.”
McDonald, who had several Premiership clubs interested as well as the chance to go down south, added: “There was the possibility of me going to Hibs last year and I turned that down – rightly or wrongly. A year on and I had the chance to do it again and it felt right this time.
“Winning something is very appealing. Fighting to avoid relegation at Motherwell last season wasn’t enjoyable.
“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.
“I’m here to score goals and help with my experience. I have a responsibility to lead by example. McMullan, King, Keatings, Fraser – some of the players here have big futures ahead of them.”
As a young player making his way in the game, McDonald was put through a gruelling pre-season with United, and a call of nature on a long Camperdown Park run which slowed down his time might not have helped his cause in trying to secure a contract offer.
“It’s true,” he admitted. “I think it was Garry Kenneth who told that story but I still beat Jason Scotland!
“It’s funny how things work out.I can remember doing Hamburger Hill here a long time ago. Ian McCall was in charge. I came up for a trial after I finished with Southampton. They were happy to see me again but they were going to Austria for a training camp and I was left with a week to decide what I was doing next.
“I ended up going to Wimbledon for six months before finding my way back to Scotland with Motherwell. I’ve never looked back after that.
“I tend to look after myself a bit better these days. I was only 20 and not very educated about looking after my body. I’m sure I’d be alright on Hamburger Hill now. I wouldn’t be eating hamburgers these days!”
First up for McDonald will be a Dundee city derby on Sunday. “It’s not a bad one to start,” he said. “It would be nice to get the win first and foremost. If I can play some part and make some headlines that would be nice too. We’ll see where I’m at over the next couple of days. Realistically, I probably won’t be starting. I haven’t played any football matches.”