McDonald calls on 'Well favours against Gers

By Martin Stirling AFP - Monday, May 12 01:03 am

GLASGOW (AFP) - Scott McDonald has begged his former team Motherwell to return the favour after Celtic's 2-0 win over Hibernian on Sunday confirmed the Fir Park side's place in next season's UEFA Cup.

The Australian international striker scored a late header - his 31st goal of the season - to add to Stephen McManus' opener.

Celtic are now four points clear in the Scottish Premier League, with the final game of the campaign away to Dundee United on Thursday, May 22, as they look to win their third title in a row.

Rangers, though, are still in the driving seat with three SPL games remaining, the next one away to Motherwell next Saturday.

But McDonald is hoping his former club can do Celtic a huge turn - especially after their victory over Hibs confirmed Motherwell finish third and qualify for European football for the first time since they played in the UEFA Cup in 1995.

He said: "I received quite a few text messages before the game on Sunday from some of my old teammates asking me to do them a favour against Hibs.

"Obviously we needed to win for ourselves but it was nice to help them out and good to score - especially as I missed an easy chance earlier on .

"I'd like to congratulate everyone at Motherwell as it's a fantastic achievement but hopefully they can now do us a favour against Rangers next week.

"We've restored a bit of pride in ourselves by winning our last six games and making sure the season won't be decided until the final day of the season.

"It would be nice if someone could now help us out so the title is in our own hands when we play Dundee United in our final game."

McDonald has exceeded all expectations since signing from Motherwell for 750,000 pounds last summer, becoming an automatic choice and breaking the 30 goals' mark.

However, although happy with his first season he admits it will not mean as much if his goals do not help Celtic to the title.

McDonald said: "From a personal perspective it has been a great season for me and fantastic to score 31 goals.

"But it's a team game and the most important thing for me is I help Celtic win trophies.

"I'll still be happy with my first season at Celtic, but if we don't win the league then I'll be disappointed.

"If we win the league it will have been a wonderful season so we'll just have to wait and see."

Ahead of Rangers' remaining SPL fixtures they have the small matter of a UEFA Cup Final against FC Zenit St Petersburg in Manchester on Wednesday.

McDonald wished the Ibrox side luck but hopes they will slip up in the league.

He said: "The SPL is still in Rangers hands and we need someone to do us a favour.

"No-one knows how the UEFA Cup Final will affect them in the SPL. I wish them all the best on Wednesday night but I can't say the same for the league."

Celtic had opened the scoring in the 37th minute of Sunday's game when McManus headed Shunsuke Nakamura's corner beyond Hibs goalkeeper Andrew McNeil.

Hibs were reduced to 10 men in the 83rd minute when Martin Canning received a second yellow card for a late tackle on Barry Robson.

Four minutes later Celtic secured the points when McDonald nodded Robson's free-kick home at the back post.

And in injury time Hibs' Ian Murray was shown a straight red card for a foul on Aiden McGeady.

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