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Socceroos striker Scott McDonald will warn his Celtic teammates to brace themselves for a tough battle against the under-performing Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.
Former Rangers defender Craig Moore gave his Roar teammates a massive spray following an ordinary training session on Friday, coming on the back of some woeful pre-season outings for the A-League side.
But McDonald, who will captain Celtic in the friendly, said the Scottish Premier League runners-up should not expect a stroll in the park, especially in the wake of Gold Coast United’s upset of Fulham last week.
The Victorian also predicted a touch of hostility in the match, with the Roar squad including three ex-players of Celtic’s Old Firm rivals Rangers in Moore, Charlie Miller and Bob Malcolm.
“There’s three of them so it does add a bit of extra spice and there’ll be tackles flying about as usual,” McDonald noted.
“Hopefully we’ll see them coming. It’ll be a physical match because that’s the way Australians like to play and they’ll be very fit.
“I’ll be telling all the boys not to be surprised, especially technically, just how good these players are.”
McDonald, who has made 13 appearances for Australia, said he was eagerly awaiting the tussle with good friend and Socceroos teammate Moore in front of an expected 35,000-strong crowd.
“He’s always someone who I’ve looked up to. We’ve had many conversations and banter, a bit of joking, when we get into camp about Celtic and Rangers,” McDonald said.
“He tries to kid me that he doesn’t really care but he certainly does care. He was at Rangers a long time and it’s in his heart.
“He’ll be wanting to go out there and beat us tomorrow.”
Celtic’s new manager Tony Mowbray, in his first visit to Australia, said he was fully aware of the proud history of the club and the high expectations from its passionate supporters.
“Very rarely if ever would Celtic, in inverted commas, play a friendly game,” said Mowbray, with one eye on the Champions League qualifiers starting on July 29.
“I think our supporters expect us to win and expect us to play a certain brand (of football) and that’s what we do in every game.
“Physically we have to get ourselves ready for a long season and we have to try and gel the different departments together.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the likes of Scott performing.
“I’ve watched him afar from England when I was manager (of West Bromwich Albion) last year and I’m just looking forward to getting my teeth into it.”
The Celtic players only arrived in Brisbane late last night but Mowbray said he wasn’t concerned about jetlag.
“As long as we come out of the game unscathed physically,” he said.
“There’s a `no excuses’ culture we try to create in our football club. This match is an important part of our preparation.”
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