MacDONALD: THIS TIME IT’S FOR REAL

VETERAN goalscorer Peter MacDonald is relishing his role as leading man in Dundee’s title quest after saying he was only a bit-part player the last time he clinched promotion, with St Johnstone in 2009. MacDonald has hit 15 goals this season and will be aiming to add to that tally against Cowdenbeath at Dens Park today as Paul Hartley’s side strive to regain pole position from Hamilton Accies. And the 33-year-old admits the current campaign is already proving far more rewarding than when he helped Saints reach the top flight five years ago. ‘I’m loving it. I still feel very young and fit,’ said MacDonald (below). ‘To be playing for something as big as promotion to the Premiership, it gives you a huge buzz. It’s the most I’ve enjoyed my football for a while. ‘When I won the title with St Johnstone, I only played about 16 games. I had injuries but this year I feel as though I’ve played a major part. ‘I got a bruised foot last week but managed to train later and now I just can’t wait for this game.’ With Accies leading the table on goals scored but facing a testing trip to Livingston today, MacDonald says he would happily win ugly if it means keeping the promotion push on track. The only problem is that Jimmy Nicholl’s lowly Cowdenbeath have proved a bogey team for the Dark Blues this season. ‘There’s a huge carrot to get over the line, same for Hamilton,’ he said. ‘It’s not about nice, fancy football just now. It’s just about getting the result we’re looking for. No matter how you do it, you’ve just got to do it — simple as that.’ MacDonald believes Dundee have the bottle for the run-in, despite losing some momentum in recent weeks. ‘If you’re joint top of the league and not confident, you’ve got to ask questions. We’re confident within ourselves. ‘Cowdenbeath have been a bogey team for us. They sit in and make life difficult. But hopefully we can show we’re ready to take the three points.’