Australian striker Scott McDonald is determined his celestial debut season at Celtic will be the beginning of something greater.

He took the first step today, signing on with the Scottish Premier League champions for another five years.

“There is always something to prove at this club, no matter what you have achieved in the past,” McDonald said.

“I had a good season last year, but next year could be the making of me.

“If I was to do it again, it shows people that it wasn’t just a one-off season where everything I hit went in.

“I want to show that I am a good striker and I’ll be working hard to prove that.”

McDonald, who joined the Bhoys from Motherwell at the start of the 2007-08 season, finished his first year at Parkhead as the league’s top scorer with 25 goals among his 31 across all competitions.

But the 24-year-old was not about to go making any bold declarations about next season.

“I am not going to put extra pressure on myself and say that I am going to get 35 goals next year,” McDonald said.

“Obviously I’ll have personal targets, but all I can do is work hard, week-in, week-out, and try and keep in the team.

“There are no guarantees that I’ll be starting every week and you don’t get a free ride at Celtic Football Club, that’s for sure.

“You have to work hard for every inch. I’ll be doing that next season and hopefully I can be as successful as I was last year.”

Celtic won the Scottish title on the final day of the campaign, edging out Glasgow rivals Rangers by three points.

McDonald still had two years to run with an option for another on his initial contract with Celtic.

Sealing a deal for his services until at least the northern hemisphere summer of 2013, is a strong show of faith from the club.

“For the club to show this kind of belief in me boosts your confidence,” McDonald said.

“It makes you feel wanted.”

McDonald said he did not want to enter talks until the end of last season so he could concentrate on Celtic’s bid for the league title.

The deal was wrapped up at the end of the season but McDonald’s involvement in Australia’s World Cup qualifying campaign delayed him from putting pen to paper until today.

McDonald was among a group of overseas-based stars released by Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek for Sunday’s match against China in Sydney with Australia’s progress to the next stage of qualifying assured.

© AAP 2012

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