"He held the ball up and made chances. In the second half, he was a constant threat and, the longer the game went on, his fitness level was phenomenal."
Gordon Strachan
90 minutes at Pittodrie on Saturday demonstrated much about Celtic's title ambitions. It told us, as if we needed reminding, that the challenge will be stern and nerve-wracking. It showed that our players do have the nerve to come through when the pressure is on. And it made clear that right now Scott McDonald is the player most vital to our aspirations.
Just a few months ago, McDonald looked off the pace, in questionable condition and with timing issues that seriously dented his prolificness and our championship challenge. He was being roundly criticised, especially given the responsibility on his shoulders with injuries to Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink and Georgios Samaras, and the wisdom of rushing to give him an extended contract looked questionable.
But if ever a player found top form just when it was most needed, it has been the Australian. Saturday's performance saw him literally lead from the front with a showing that included, guile, guts and goals. It is an irresistible combination and, if his team-mates can follow Scott's example, the confidence will surge and a fourth consecutive title should land at its rightful home.
McDonald thrives on the big occasion as he has shown with some excellent goals in the Champions League. He will be the man everyone looks to when we face the R-word on Saturday and the man they will assuredly try hardest to hurt.
Sometimes this season, Celtic could be accused of lacking a sense of urgency at an early enough stage – taking too long to dominate a game. McDonald is showing the way. Who needs Total Football when you have Skippy Soccer!
* Apologies for the long but unavoidable absence of this blog. Someone, somewhere must have been very disappointed.
 |
--
No comments:
Post a Comment