Scott McDonald

Scott McDonald

McDonald with Australia in 2010
Personal information
Full name Scott Douglas McDonald[1]
Date of birth (1983-08-21) 21 August 1983[1]
Place of birth Melbourne, Australia
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position Striker / Attacking midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Dundee United
Number 8
Youth career
1998 Gippsland Falcons
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1998–1999 Gippsland Falcons 3 (0)
1999–2000 Cranbourne Comets 10 (3)
2000–2002 Southampton 2 (0)
2002 → Huddersfield Town (loan) 13 (1)
2002 → Bournemouth (loan) 8 (1)
2003 Wimbledon 2 (0)
2004–2007 Motherwell 108 (42)
2007–2010 Celtic 88 (51)
2010–2013 Middlesbrough 116 (37)
2013–2015 Millwall 56 (5)
2015–2017 Motherwell 83 (24)
2017– Dundee United 0 (0)
National team
1999–2000 Australia U17 17 (13)
2001–2003 Australia U20 24 (16)
2003–2004 Australia U23 3 (0)
2006–2012 Australia 26 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 17:30, 1 June 2017 (UTC).

Scott Douglas McDonald (born 21 August 1983) is an Australian professional footballer who plays for Dundee United. Originally a striker, McDonald can also play as an attacking midfielder.

Club career

Early career

McDonald began his career at Doveton, before joining Casey Comets. He made three appearances on loan from his Victorian State League club, Cranbourne Comets, with Gippsland Falcons in the ANSL, where he became the club's youngest ever NSL player, replacing Jason Marsh, when making his first-team debut aged just fifteen.

McDonald started off as a trainee with Southampton in 2001 where he managed only three appearances (one first-team start and two as a substitute),[2] being loaned to Huddersfield Town[3] where again he had chances to play first team football. McDonald scored just once for Huddersfield, in a 2–1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers[4] and Bournemouth (scoring once against Shrewsbury).[5] Upon reaching the end of his contract with Southampton he signed for Wimbledon on a rolling monthly contract.[6]

He had talks with Drogheda United in 2003 but failed to agree terms.

Motherwell

McDonald went on trial with Scottish Premier League club Dundee United, but failed to win a contract and instead signed for league rivals Motherwell in January 2004.[7] After signing for Motherwell, McDonald had a slow start, scoring only one goal during the second half of the 2003–04 season despite impressive performances. The following season he scored 15 goals. McDonald famously scored two late goals against Celtic at the end of the 2004–05 season to deny them the Scottish Premier League title which was instead won by their arch-rivals Rangers.[8] In the 2005–06 season, McDonald scored 11 goals in 35 appearances, and in the following season, scored 15 goals in 32 appearances. His goal against Falkirk on 25 November 2006, was the 5000th goal in the SPL since its formation in 1998.[9] In his successful stint with Well, he scored 45 goals in 108 appearances.

In December 2007, McDonald was named BBC Sportsound Player of the Year for his eight man-of-the-match performances throughout the 2006–07 season.[10]

Celtic

McDonald playing for Celtic
McDonald playing for Celtic in 2008.

In March 2007, after a £400,000 bid from Rangers had been rejected in January,[11] Motherwell accepted an offer of £700,000 from McDonald's boyhood favourites Celtic,[12] with McDonald moving to Celtic Park at the start of the 2007–08 season.[13]

McDonald made his competitive debut for Celtic in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League third qualifying-round match against Spartak Moscow at Luzhniki Stadium, assisting Paul Hartley for Celtic's goal as the game finished 1–1.[14] His first goal for the club came in the second leg of the tie at Celtic Park. A mistake by Spartak defender Roman Shishkin allowed McDonald to slip in and hit the ball first time past Stipe Pletikosa. This match also ended 1–1, but Celtic won 4–3 on penalties.[15] Just days later in an away league match against St Mirren, McDonald latched onto a long Gary Caldwell pass to lob Chris Smith from a tight angle and score his first SPL goal for the club.[16] He followed that up with the winning goal in the final minute of their 2–1 UEFA Champions League group-stage win against A.C. Milan on 3 October[17] and another last minute winner just days later at Gretna. In a pulsating clash with Old Firm rivals Rangers on 16 April 2008, McDonald set up his Dutch strike partner Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink for a last minute goal that kept Celtic in the 2007–08 SPL title race,[18] before scoring a double and winning a penalty scored by Barry Robson in another vital 3–2 Old Firm victory eleven days later.[19] At the end of the season, McDonald was rewarded with a new five-year deal at Parkhead[20] and was nominated for SPL Player of the Year. He scored 25 goals in 36 league appearances in his first season at Celtic and was the top goalscorer during the 2007–08 season, beating the next highest goalscorer and strike partner Vennegoor of Hesselink by 10 goals. This breakthrough season included two hat-tricks; against Dundee United and former club Motherwell. In total, McDonald scored 31 times in his first season at Parkhead.

McDonald wore the number 27 shirt in his first season with Celtic, but in July 2008 he was given number 7, which he also wore at Motherwell. After a sluggish start to the 2008–09 season, not scoring in any of the first four games, he opened his account against Motherwell, scoring Celtic's third goal in a 4–2 win at Fir Park. On 5 November 2008 McDonald scored the opening goal in a 1–1 draw with Manchester United at Celtic Park in the Champions League with a well executed lob over Ben Foster. Only three days later, McDonald continued to haunt his former club Motherwell with a low strike from outside the penalty area. Celtic won this match 2–0. On 27 December 2008, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory at Ibrox during the Old Firm derby, helping his team bring the three points home. On 27 January 2009, McDonald scored twice in the dramatic 11–10 penalty shoot-out victory against Dundee United[21] to send Celtic through to the League Cup final, which they won 2–0 against archrivals Rangers. This win gave McDonald his first domestic cup trophy at Celtic.

McDonald scored his 49th and 50th Celtic goals at Pittodrie against Aberdeen on 2 May as Celtic ran out 3–1 winners. On 3 July, McDonald was handed the Celtic captaincy for a pre-season game against Brisbane Roar, due to the injury to Stephen McManus and the departure of vice-captain Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. On 5 August, he scored the opening goal against Dynamo Moscow in Russia, a game which Celtic went on to win 2–0, to progress to the final qualifying round of the Champions League. On 5 December, McDonald scored his 50th league goal for Celtic against Aberdeen. McDonald scored a total of 65 goals for Celtic.

Middlesbrough

On 7 January 2010, Celtic rejected a transfer bid from Premier League side Wigan Athletic for the Australian striker,[22] but on 1 February – transfer deadline day – Celtic sold McDonald to Middlesbrough for a reported £3.5 million.[23] He joined up with Gordon Strachan, whom he played under at Celtic and Southampton, and also rejoined four of his former teammates, Willo Flood, Barry Robson, Chris Killen and Stephen McManus. On 16 February 2010, he missed a penalty against Blackpool in a 2–0 loss.[24] McDonald scored his first Middlesbrough goal in the Tyne-Tees derby against Newcastle on 13 March.[25] After a return from injury, McDonald scored three times in four games against Crystal Palace, Sheffield Wednesday and Coventry City.[26][27]

McDonald made a bright start to the 2010–11 season scoring twice in his first two games against Ipswich[28] and Chesterfield in the League Cup.[29] On 9 November 2010, he scored the second in Middlesbrough's 2–0 win over Scunthorpe.[30] On 1 March 2011, McDonald scored the opener in his team's 1–1 draw with Nottingham Forest, he followed this by scoring the leveller in his team's 2–1 victory at home to Watford on 19 March 2011.[31][32] McDonald followed this by scoring twice in two games, in two draws against Ipswich Town[33] and Barnsley.[34] On 23 April 2011, McDonald scored a hat-trick in Middlesbrough's 2–4 away win at Hull.[35]

McDonald scored his first goal of the 2011–12 season in a 3–1 victory over Barnsley on 16 August 2011.[36] On 5 November 2011, he got his first in 12 matches, scoring the only goal in Middlesbrough's 1–0 victory over Watford at the Riverside.[37] He scored a brace in Middlesbrough's 2–2 draw with Blackpool. On 10 December, McDonald scored the only goal of the game against Brighton, after a defensive error from Casper Ankergren. McDonald continued his impressive form, as he scored Boro's second in a 3–2 victory, over Welsh side Cardiff City. McDonald then scored in the New Year's Eve clash against Peterborough at the Riverside, the game finished 1–1.

On 6 October 2012, McDonald made his first appearance of the season against Watford, as a first half sub, coming on for teammate Justin Hoyte, in which McDonald scored the winner in a 2–1 victory. Continuing from the Watford game, McDonald came off the bench to score a brace in Middlesbrough's 2–1 win against Bolton.[38] His form continued as he scored the winning goal in a Tees – Wear derby against Sunderland resulting in a 1–0 victory to the Boro.[39]

Millwall

On 23 July 2013, Scott McDonald put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal with Millwall. He scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 victory over Charlton.[40] McDonald left Millwall on 24 January 2015, with the club cancelling his contract.[41]

Motherwell (second spell)

On 26 February 2015, McDonald signed for Motherwell for a second time, agreeing a contract until the end of the 2014–15 season.[42] He made his second debut on 28 February 2015, in a 2–1 win against Inverness CT.[43] He scored his first goal since returning to the club on 7 March 2015, scoring with a free-kick in a 1–1 draw against Kilmarnock.[44]

On 21 July 2015, McDonald signed a new one-year contract, with the option of a second.[45] On 1 July 2016, McDonald signed a new one-year contact to stay at Motherwell.[46] Later that month, Motherwell rejected an offer from an unnamed A-League side, later revealed to be the Western Sydney Wanderers,[47] for McDonald.[48]

In May 2017, Motherwell announced that McDonald would be leaving the club after he had decided not to take up the option of another year on his contract.[49]

Dundee United

Following his departure from Motherwell, McDonald was expected to return to Australia. However it was announced in July 2017 that he had signed for Scottish Championship club, Dundee United on a one-year deal.[50]

International career

McDonald training for Australia in 2009

Having represented Australia at under-17, under-20 and under-23 levels, McDonald made his international debut for Australia against Bahrain on 22 February 2006 in an Asian Cup qualifier. He played in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. McDonald was a starter in the Australia squad that started off qualification for the 2010 World Cup with a 3–0 win over Qatar in February, setting up a goal for Mark Bresciano, but yet to score a goal at international level himself. On 11 May 2010 McDonald was named by Australian coach Pim Verbeek in a provisional 31-man squad for the 2010 World Cup. On 25 May it was announced that he had been omitted from the final 23-man squad for the finals.[51]

McDonald's most recent appearance came on 15 August 2012 against Scotland coming on as a substitute in the second half, playing alongside fellow Middlesbrough teammate Rhys Williams. Australia went on to lose 3–1.

Career statistics

As of 17 May 2017[52][53]
Club Season Division League Cup League Cup Other Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Gippsland Falcons 1998–99 National Soccer League 3000000030
Southampton 2001–02 Premier League 2000100030
Huddersfield Town 2002–03 Football League One 131001000141
Bournemouth 2002–03 Football League Two 8100000081
Wimbledon 2003–04 Football League Championship 2000000020
Motherwell 2003–04 Scottish Premier League 151310000182
2004–05 27151040003215
2005–06 34110041003812
2006–07 32153120003716
Total 10842721010012545
Celtic 2007–08 Scottish Premier League 362543211025231
2008–09 34163141614719
2009–10 18100022822814
Total 8851748424512764
Middlesbrough 2009–10 Football League Championship 134000000134
2010–11 38120022004014
2011–12 339201000369
2012–13 32121021003513
Total 1163730530012440
Millwall 2013–14 Football League Championship 323002000343
2014–15 232111000253
Total 555113000596
Motherwell 2014–15 Scottish Premiership 115000020135
2015–16 37102222004114
2016–17 3591042004011
Total 83243264209430
Career Total 4781612193412265559187

Honours

Club

Celtic

International

Australia

Individual

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Hugman, Barry J., ed. (2010). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2010–11. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 265. ISBN 978-1-84596-601-0.
  2. ↑ Holley, Duncan; Chalk, Gary (2003). In That Number – A post-war chronicle of Southampton FC. Hagiology Publishing. pp. 547–548. ISBN 0-9534474-3-X.
  3. ↑ "Huddersfield land McDonald". BBC Sport. 4 July 2002. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  4. ↑ "Tranmere 2–1 Huddersfield". BBC Sport. 26 August 2002. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  5. ↑ "Bournemouth 2–1 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 21 April 2003. Archived from the original on 24 April 2003. Retrieved 27 August 2009.
  6. ↑ "McDonald earns Dons deal". BBC Sport. 19 August 2003. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  7. ↑ "Motherwell sign McDonald". BBC Sport. 6 January 2004. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  8. ↑ "Motherwell 2–1 Celtic". BBC Sport. 22 May 2005. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  9. ↑ "McDonald savours goal milestone". BBC Sport. 28 November 2006. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  10. ↑ "Sportsound Player of the Year". BBC Sport. 23 December 2007. Archived from the original on 6 January 2008. Retrieved 6 January 2008.
  11. ↑ "Rangers miss out on McDonald bid". BBC Sport. 1 February 2007. Archived from the original on 3 February 2007. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  12. ↑ "Celtic complete McDonald capture". BBC Sport. 30 March 2007. Archived from the original on 17 April 2007.
  13. ↑ "Celtic agree terms for McDonald". BBC Sport. 28 March 2007. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 4 January 2010.
  14. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (15 August 2007). "Spartak Moscow 1–1 Celtic". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 11 November 2012.
  15. ↑ Moffat, Colin (29 August 2007). "Celtic 1–1 Spartak Moscow". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 3 January 2008.
  16. ↑ "St Mirren 1–5 Celtic". BBC Sport. 2 September 2007. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012.
  17. ↑ "Celtic 2–1 AC Milan". BBC Sport. 3 October 2007. Archived from the original on 11 October 2007.
  18. ↑ Moffat, Colin (16 April 2008). "Celtic 2–1 Rangers". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 20 April 2008.
  19. ↑ "Celtic 3–2 Rangers". BBC Sport. 27 April 2008. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012.
  20. ↑ "McDonald extends Celtic contract". BBC Sport. 17 June 2008. Archived from the original on 19 July 2008. Retrieved 18 June 2008.
  21. ↑ Lindsay, Clive (28 January 2009). "Celtic 0–0 Dundee U (11–10 pens)". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 6 January 2012.
  22. ↑ "THE INSIDER: London calling John Carew as Spurs target Aston Villa striker and Wigan want Celtic's awesome Aussie Scott McDonald". Mail Online. 7 January 2010. Archived from the original on 10 January 2010. Retrieved 23 April 2011.
  23. ↑ McLaughlin, Chris (1 February 2010). "Middlesbrough and Celtic agree a deal for McDonald". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 22 March 2010.
  24. ↑ "Strachan fumes at decisions". The Northern Echo. 17 February 2010. Archived from the original on 21 February 2010.
  25. ↑ Henson, Mike (13 March 2010). "Middlesbrough 2 – 2 Newcastle". BBC Sport. Archived from the original on 15 March 2010. Retrieved 13 March 2010.
  26. ↑ "Middlesbrough 1–0 Sheff Wed". BBC Sport. 10 April 2010. Archived from the original on 12 April 2010.
  27. ↑ "Middlesbrough 1–1 Coventry". BBC Sport. 24 April 2010. Archived from the original on 27 April 2010.
  28. ↑ "Middlesbrough 1 – 3 Ipswich". BBC Sport. 7 August 2010. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010.
  29. ↑ "Chesterfield 1–2 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 10 August 2010. Archived from the original on 12 August 2010.
  30. ↑ "Scunthorpe 0 – 2 Middlesbrough". BBC Sport. 9 November 2010. Archived from the original on 11 November 2010.
  31. ↑ "Middlesbrough 1–1 Nottm Forest". BBC Sport. 1 March 2011. Archived from the original on 2 March 2011.
  32. ↑ "Middlesbrough 2–1 Watford". BBC Sport. 19 March 2011. Archived from the original on 22 March 2011.
  33. ↑ "Ipswich Town 3 Boro 3". Middlesbrough F.C. 12 April 2011. Archived from the original on 15 April 2011.
  34. ↑ "Boro 1 Barnsley 1". Middlesbrough F.C. 16 April 2011. Archived from the original on 19 April 2011.
  35. ↑ Hull City 2 Boro 4 Middlesbrough F.C., 23 April 2011
  36. ↑ "Barnsley 1 Boro 3". Middlesbrough F.C. 16 April 2011. Archived from the original on 18 April 2011.
  37. ↑ "Boro 1 – 0 Watford". Middlesbrough F.C. 16 April 2011. Archived from the original on 18 April 2011.
  38. ↑ "Middlesbrough come from behind to beat Bolton as Freedman looks on". The Guardian. 27 October 2012. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  39. ↑ Young, Colin (30 October 2012). "Sunderland 0 Middlesbrough 1: McDonald finds strike to embarrass O'Neill". Mail Online. Daily Mail. Archived from the original on 14 February 2014. Retrieved 14 February 2014.
  40. ↑ Kent, David (21 September 2013). "Charlton 0 Millwall 1: McDonald lights up lackluster encounter to give Lions second successive win". Mail Online. Daily Mail. Archived from the original on 23 September 2013. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  41. ↑ "Scott McDonald: Striker leaves Millwall as contract is cancelled". BBC Sport. 24 January 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  42. ↑ "McDonald makes Fir Park return". Motherwell F.C. 26 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2015.
  43. ↑ "Motherwell 2–1 Inverness CT". Motherwell F.C. 28 February 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  44. ↑ McLauchlin, Brian (7 March 2015). "Motherwell 1-1 Kilmarnock". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 7 March 2015.
  45. ↑ "Scott McDonald signs on again". Motherwell F.C. 21 July 2015.
  46. ↑ http://stv.tv/sport/football/1359298-scott-mcdonald-turns-down-offers-to-sign-new-deal-with-motherwell/
  47. ↑ "Motherwell turn down Wanderers offer for McDonald". The World Game. Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  48. ↑ "Club Statement: Scott McDonald". motherwellfc.co.uk. Motherwell F.C. 21 July 2016. Retrieved 21 July 2016.
  49. ↑ "Squad update: May 2017". Motherwell F.C. 22 May 2017. Retrieved 1 June 2017.
  50. ↑ "Scott McDonald signs one-year deal at Dundee United". BBC Sport. 24 July 2017.
  51. ↑ "Scott McDonald omitted from Australia World Cup squad". BBC Sport. 25 May 2010. Archived from the original on 14 May 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2010.
  52. ↑ Scott McDonald at Soccerbase
  53. ↑ Scott McDonald at Soccerway
  54. ↑ "Double joy for Motherwell". BBC Sport. 2 October 2004. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  55. ↑ "McDonald named player of month". BBC Sport. 11 October 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
  56. ↑ "Player prize for Celtic striker". BBC Sport. 7 April 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2016.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.