McDonald in the mood to storm enemy territory all over again
SCOTT McDONALD has happy memories of plundering the spoils at the home of his fiercest foes. Back in December 2008, he became the darling of the visiting Celtic support when his thunderous 57th-minute volley sealed a precious 1-0 victory for Gordon Strachan’s side against Rangers at Ibrox.
The 33-year-old, who played for Celtic between 2007 and 2010, admits that Premiership triumph in Govan remains one of his most treasured moments from his many Old Firm experiences.
Almost a decade on, the derby setting is different for the new Dundee United striker, but he admits the rivalry is no less intense as he seeks to steal the thunder from Neil McCann’s Dundee in tonight’s Betfred Cup clash at Dens Park.
McDonald had his first taste of the local rivalry when he came on as a substitute in last month’s 1-1 draw between the sides in the group stage of the tournament, scoring from the spot in United’s 4-3 penalty shootout win.
Both clubs had already qualified for the last 16, and tonight’s knockout encounter promises to be a more intense occasion after they were drawn together in a quickfire rematch.
‘Looking back on the derbies, they’re all good memories,’ said McDonald, who joined United in the summer after leaving Motherwell.
‘I think scoring when you’re away from home is always a big one when it’s a local derby.
‘I managed to score a winner at Ibrox. That was something else.
‘These are such big occasions, so that’s one which obviously sticks in my memory, hitting the target at the home of your biggest rivals.
‘So I will get that chance, hopefully, again on Wednesday to do something similar.’
United have already earned the bragging rights after that shoot-out victory ten days ago.
But McDonald, who is in line to start tonight, insists that McCann’s men are favourites to reach the next round at the expense of their neighbours.
‘It’s still at their ground, so you would have to say they’re still favourites,’ added the Aussie.
‘They have a good, accomplished squad, albeit they had a disappointing result at the weekend against Ross County in the league.
‘They will want to put that right, so it will be a tough game.
‘Darren O’Dea is suspended, so that will be a big loss for them. Maybe we can capitalise on that.
‘It was a real ding-dong game the first time round.
‘Dundee started well and came flying out of the blocks. Then we came into the game and nicked the goal before half-time.
‘It was topsy-turvy and, although as a manager or a player you might want it all your own way, it doesn’t always work like that.
‘Derbies are what they are and it was just nice to come out on top.
‘We’ve spoken about not giving the ball away as readily as we did towards the end of the first derby by going back to front too early. We need to improve on that and, hopefully, we can.’
McDonald lapped up the whole derby-day atmosphere in the City of Discovery.
‘It really opened my eyes, the first game,’ he said. ‘You can watch from afar, but, when you’re involved in it and realise how big a city this is and how passionate it is, it’s fantastic to be part of.
‘You have to be aware of what’s going on around you, though. I almost got caught out by a Dundee fan after the game wanting a picture with me. But a few people set me right about that!’
The short walk the players make from Tannadice to Dens has also tickled the ex-Millwall star.
‘It’s fantastic to be part of,’ he added. ‘I’ve always seen it and it always seemed strange from afar. But it’s a special thing.
‘It’s traditional and has gone through decades. It’s nice to be part of it and it would be even nicer if I could stamp my own history on it as well.’