MacDonald eyeing comeback at Killie as loan paid in full
For so much of Saturday afternoon it seemed like Partick Thistle had no answer in their quest to find a way past inspired goalkeeping from Alloa’s Jamie MacDonald.
This week, however, it will be the on-loan Kilmarnock shot-stopper posing the questions as he attempts to ascertain what the future holds for him at his parent club.
The 33-year-old had one of those days, repelling a series of efforts in an impressive display of shot-stopping that saw him stretch every sinew to thwart the likes of Kenny Miller, reece Cole and Stuart Bannigan.
That it took Jags captain Bannigan two attempts from the penalty spot to finally level told the story of the goalkeeper’s afternoon.
MacDonald moved to the part-timers on an emergency loan in September to replace the injured Neil Parry, having fallen out of favour under then-Killie boss Angelo Alessio.
Alex Dyer’s subsequent appointment as manager at rugby Park has changed the dynamics and MacDonald is keen to discover whether he will be part of Killie’s plans.
‘There’s been no contact yet because they’ve been off since December 29,’ said former Hearts player MacDonald, whose loan was extended by a further week so he could play at the weekend.
‘I’ll go in a couple of days this week for training and, while I spoke to Alex Dyer briefly before the break, it was still a case of waiting to see what happens. He didn’t know what his own position was going to be, whether a new man would be coming in or whether he would get it.
‘We’ll take it from there and I should have a clearer idea this week about what’s going to be on the cards for me.’
Having enjoyed himself in the 18 games he has played for Peter Grant’s side, MacDonald would not be satisfied in reverting to a bit-part role at Killie.
He added: ‘My aim, when I came to Alloa, was to play regularly again and I’ve loved my time here. The club has been fantastic for me. I still live in Edinburgh as well, which means it’s a fair bit of travelling just to end up sitting on the bench every week.
‘But I have a lot of respect for Alex, so we’ll have a discussion and, if he wants me to go back, so be it. If not, I’ll be more than happy to stay where I am.’
MacDonald’s form in goal on Saturday was part of the reason Alloa had been on course to collect an unlikely win.
The hosts took the lead when Adam Brown’s 62nd-minute shot deflected off Sean McGinty and spun past the hapless Scott Fox.
Then came the penalty controversy which left Alloa boss Grant ‘disgusted’ with referee David Munro’s performance.
MacDonald saved Bannigan’s first effort in the 73rd minute but could do little about his second just 60 seconds later.
For Bannigan, there was relief he managed to make amends from 12 yards.
‘I didn’t have any hesitation in taking the second penalty,’ he said.
‘You just want to put it right really. once you miss the first one you’re devastated and you want the second one.
‘I showed a bit of bottle to take the second one right away, so I’m happy with that.’
ALLOA (4-4-2): MacDonald; Robertson, Taggart, Deas, Malcolm; Cawley, Hetherington, Flannigan Brown; Buchanan (Thomson 66) O’Hara.
Substitutes not used: Henry, Gilhooly, O’Donnell, Gillespie. Booked: Deas, Malcolm, Cawley.
PARTICK THISTLE (4-4-2): Fox; Williamson, Saunders, McGinty, Penrice; Slater (Zanatta 60), Cole, Bannigan, Cardle; Jones (Mansell 85), Miller (Harkins 66). Substitutes not used: Sneddon, Robson,
Watson, Austin. Booked: Jones. Man of the match: Jamie MacDonald. Referee: David Munro. Attendance: 1,827.