The mind games begin in earnest

McDonald insists lure of Old Firm tie will help ensure Deila’s Bhoys are mentally prepared

YOU can discard all the sports psychologists, motivational gurus and managerial messiahs. As far as Scott McDonald is concerned, nothing on this footballing earth has the ability to sharpen minds quite as acutely as a looming Old Firm game.

It is hardly a ground- shuddering shock to hear the former Celtic striker predict a narrow triumph for his old employers in next month’s Scottish Cup s emi- f i nal. His emotional ties to Parkhead weren’t broken when Tony Mowbray sold him to Middlesbrough in 2010.

It is, though, in heads rather than hearts where McDonald feels Ronny Deila’s side will reap the real benefits of being paired against Rangers. And they won’t even have to wait for the joy, should his forecast be right, of the full-time whistle at Hampden.

The 32- year- old has watched Celtic’s season drift somewhat aimlessly with each meandering turn, each dose of disappointment, increasing the pressure on Deila.

Aberdeen’s status as genuine Premiership title challengers will be confirmed beyond dispute if they cut the gap to one point with victory over Partick Thistle this evening.

Celtic, and especially their manager, need to draw upon something different to find a consistent response that ensures their season is salvaged. In that respect, McDonald believes the sheer i ntensity of a derby countdown perfectly f i ts their requirements.

‘Based on recent performances, Rangers might be going into this tie in a more positive frame of mind,’ said the Motherwell forward.

‘However, if you’re asking who wants this game more, I would say it’s probably Celtic.

‘I believe they need it more in order to get their season back on track and get their heads right again.

‘This game speaks for itself; they don’t need to motivate themselves now. The matches in the next six weeks are now key for them and I think having this tie will give them that edge. I fully expect to see an improved Celtic during that period.

‘These are the games you thrive on. Celtic’s players will have missed these occasions and they have plenty still there with experience of it. They’ll be desperate to play in them again. They will also feel that they’re favourites and they’ll be confident.

‘It gives the manager the chance to be a hero again. Things change very quickly in football and people forget very quickly, too.

‘This game can change opinions but I think Ronny and his players will be concentrating on trying to get their league form right first — and this tie will help in terms of motivating the players and making sure that their heads are right. I fully believe that Celtic will be ready for the challenge when it comes.’

McDonald, though, declined to offer an opinion on whether victory over Rangers would be enough to save Deila’s job.

‘You’d need to ask Peter Lawwell and the board that question,’ he added, not unreasonably.

For all the unwelcome baggage that can come with the Old Firm fixture — and despite the pretence of some Celtic fans who claim they haven’t missed league games against Rangers — McDonald remains adamant that Scottish football needs this ‘special spectacle’.

The scorer of winning Old Firm goals at both Parkhead and Ibrox, he never found anything to even remotely compare.

‘You do miss these games, of course you do,’ he added. ‘I’m OK with it now but, when I first left to join Middlesbrough, I couldn’t actually watch the Old Firm games because I wanted to still be playing in them.

‘They are such special days and those days when you score goals, especially the winning goal, are held as the biggest and best days of my career.

‘When you win, it’s euphoria. It’s a feeling you’ve never felt before in your life and never do again.

‘Fans get it because they are so passionate about their team but it makes you feel the same as a player.

‘I think it also meant so much to me because I was educated as a youngster about it.

‘It wasn’t like I was just this young Aussie guy turning up and playing for one side — I knew all about it from growing up with my mum supporting one and my dad supporting the other. It means a lot to put one over your rivals — especially on an occasion like this when there’s a cup final on the line.’

McDonald’s move to Middlesbrough simply relocated the rivalry. Barry Robson, Willo Flood and Stephen McManus had all made a similar move south after time with Celtic. Kris Boyd and Kevin Thomson occupied the ex-blue corner of the dressing room.

There, they were given vocal support by a young man who would one day make the opposite journey.

‘Andy Halliday was there, too, and he was a pain in my a***,’ laughed McDonald. ‘Most of the time he was kept quiet because Celtic were winning but he’s a great lad, a lovely boy who is passionate about his club. He loves Rangers and I’m happy to see him doing really well for them.

‘But he knows where my allegiances lie and I’m obviously hoping that Celtic win on the day.

‘I think it will be a tight game. I hope there are a lot of goals but I can see it being a very cagey affair.’