Scott McDonald has found his scoring touch in the English Championship, helping Middlesborough into second place on the ladder, but does he deserve another shot at the Socceroos?
As well all know, McDonald’s record in the green and gold as a striker is abysmal – 25 games, 0 goals.
It’s one the Morwell Falcons’ product certainly won’t be proud of. But it’s hard to deny that McDonald is enjoying a good season in England’s north-east, and has rediscovered his knack for putting the ball in the back of the net.
This week he scored a goal in Boro’s 1-1 draw with Peterbrough. That brings his total to seven goals for the season, and six assists. It’s a decent haul at the halfway point, and most of his goals have come in the past two-three months. In the Peterbrough game the 28-year old hit the woodwork twice, and his work in setting up play and supporting teammates has been exceptional.
McDonald has been working hard and lifted his game up a notch, playing a pivotal role in Middlesborough’s charge to get back into the Premier League along with fellow Aussie Rhys Williams.
McDonald missed the Socceroos World Cup qualifying games in September last year against Saudi Arabia and Thailand due to injury, and his replacement Alex Brosque did well.
Josh Kennedy has also knocked a few in for Australia recently, and McDonald hasn’t had a look-in for the four games played since.
But Australia is still pretty thin when it comes to the centre forward ranks, and while McDonald’s record in a Socceroos shirt is disappointing, his club form is not. Here is a player who possesses a strong goal-scoring pedigree, who has scored goals in the Champions League against the likes of Manchester United and Spartak Moscow and found the back of the net in the pressure-cooker that is the Old Firm derby. McDonald notched an impressive 51 goals in 88 appearnces for Scottish giants Celtic, as well as 42 goals in 108 appearances for Motherwell.
The Socceroos are already through to the next round of the World Cup qualifiers and next face Saudi Arabia in February in a dead rubber. This would be a great opportunity to give McDonald another shot.
Holger has said he wants his players to be producing for their club sides, and McDonald has responded to the direction and done just that. I get the sense if he does get another chance and finally manages to put one in for the Socceroos, a flood could open. His confidence would soar and a huge weight of pressure would be released. Scoring goals is not everything when it comes to strikers, but ultimately it is what they’re judged on. McDonald has spent the past 11 years playing in England and Scotland, and knows this better than most.
McDonald’s current form warrants another spot in the green and gold, and I think he will make the most of it if selected.
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