Goal hungry McDonald doesn´t fear World Cup travel epic

Celtic striker Scott McDonald insists his long distance World Cup mission for Australia won’t blunt his cutting edge when the Scottish champions tackle Old Firm rivals Rangers next week.

McDonald’s potentially exhausting week begins on Saturday when he plays for Celtic against Queen’s Park in the Scottish Cup.

He then travels to Japan for a crucial World Cup qualifier on Wednesday before returning to Scotland by next Sunday for the Premier League game against Rangers.

“I’m back Thursday evening so I’ve got 60 hours to recover. It shouldn’t be a problem,” said McDonald.

“It would be a lot worse if I was going to Australia. I’m quite happy it’s only half the journey, rather than the full whack. I’ll be fine and Old Firm games take care of themselves.”

McDonald added that he turned down the chance to miss Saturday’s Scottish Cup clash against Queen’s Park.

Manager Gordon Strachan offered him and Japan midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura the opportunity to travel early ahead of Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier.

The Japan star seized the chance, but McDonald is determined to add to his goal tally in Saturday’s fifth-round contest at Celtic Park.

The 25-year-old has netted 11 times this season but he is well off the 31-goal haul that made him Scotland’s top scorer in his first season at Parkhead.

“I chose to stay,” McDonald said. “I was given the option but I wanted to play.

“It’s a bit different for me. Naka is going home; I don’t really fancy going to Japan for an extra couple of days and sitting in a hotel on my own. So I decided to stay.

“I want to play in every game and I’m always hungry for more goals.”