A fit Scott McDonald is still one of the best strikers in the league SAYS KEITH LASLEY
Give him the right service and he will score for fun
IN the grand pantheon of world strikers, not many can boast talents c a pable of s i ngl e - handedly re-routing the direction of a helicopter.
Yet that feat stands as one of the most remarkable moments in the recent history of Scottish football.
Sunday, May 22, 2005 — otherwise known as Helicopter Sunday — was the day when two goals inside the final two minutes from Motherwell’s Scott McDonald effectively manhandled an aircraft i n mid- air and changed its destination from a Celtic title party at Fir Park to instead deliver the league trophy to Rangers at Easter Road.
Yesterday, just over 10 years after that famous moment, McDonald signed a one-year deal, with the option of a second, to return to Fir Park for a third time.
The 31- year- old Australian striker spent the second half of last season back at Motherwell and scored five goals in 10 games — climaxing in a dramatic 6-1 victory over Rangers i n the Premiership Play- Off Final to avoid relegation.
And, according to Motherwell skipper Keith Lasley, McDonald still ranks as one of the very best strikers in Scottish football. Lasley played with the Aussie during each of his two previous spells at the club, and he expressed delight at his old pal signing on again.
‘It was obvious to everyone what kind of impact Scott had at the club when he arrived in January last season,’ Lasley said.
‘He really galvanised the place, he’s a fans’ favourite and he scored quite a few goals — which proved vital in helping the club stay in the Premiership.
‘To see him now come back and sign with us again is obviously a huge boost to the club and gives the boys in the squad a good boost.
‘I’ve got no doubt that a fit Scott McDonald is still one of the best strikers and proven goalscorers that you will find anywhere in Scottish football. If you give him the service, then he will score goals for fun.
‘The fact that he has been at the club twice before also helps in terms of him settling in. He can probably make the transition much quicker than someone who has never played for the club before.
‘ Scott knows exactly what Motherwell is about. He already knows a lot of the players and the fans love him. So that’s definitely something that we will be looking to take advantage of to try and hit the ground running at the start of the season.
‘It wasn’t just his goals which helped us last season, but also his influence in the dressing room. You only have to look at how much Lee Erwin improved in the few months he was playing up front alongside Scott.
‘The two of them combined to make a really potent strikeforce and I’m sure Lee would agree with me in saying that Scott played a big part in helping Lee get his move to Leeds United because he really helped him develop as a player.
‘Scott is a guy who has been there and done it at the top level in football. He has won league titles and he has mixed it with the best in the Champions League. You can’t underestimate how important it is to have that kind of experience in a squad.
‘The biggest compliment I could probably pay him is that if we can help keep him fit and firing, then that would go a hell of a long way to ensuring that Motherwell finish well up there in the league table this season.’
The striker joins Lionel Ainsworth and Louis Laing in committing from the Motherwell team that beat Rangers 6-1 in last season’s Premiership Play- Off Final, with five other new faces arriving in the shape of Joe Chalmers, David Clarkson, Wes Fletcher, Louis Moult and Kieran Kennedy.
McDonald, for his part, has targeted a top-six finish as he aims to create more special memories at Fir Park.
‘I have had nothing but good times at this club,’ said the Australian, who was a substitute in last night’s 2-1 friendly win over Sligo Rovers. ‘I’m hoping for a few more of them, as well. It’s a family- oriented club and my family is ever growing, with a new arrival on the way, so a lot of that was taken into consideration.
‘I really enjoyed the end of last season and am hoping for some more success here.
‘We’re looking for a top-six finish. We want to push back up the table to where Motherwell were in previous seasons.
‘We certainly don’t want another season like last year and I don’t think we will. The manager and staff had a big influence in me coming back here. I really enjoyed working with them and long may that continue.
‘They would have liked me in a bit earlier and I would have liked to have been in earlier, too. It’s taken longer than both parties would have wanted but I’m here now and that’s the main thing.’