COMPARISONS between Old Firm goalscorers are inevitable. Yesterday, Scott McDonald chose to make them himself. On the occasion of his 50th goal for Celtic, 23 months on from his £650,000 move from Motherwell, he couldn't help but mention a certain Rangers striker who has just hit the century, 40 months on from joining up at Ibrox from Kilmarnock.
"Only 50 behind Boydy (Kris Boyd], although he's had a couple of years start on me," was how McDonald reflected on his match-winning second-half double in the 3-1 win over Aberdeen, a team he's scored against every time he's played them this season.
"Congratulations to him and I hope I can stay here and go on to score that many. I'd be proud of that. Goals are goals but medals and trophies are more my appetite."
McDonald's appetite is now whetted for next Saturday's Old Firm encounter after taking his tally for the season to 19. "You relish those type of games," he said. "You can make history in them and they help you win titles, but no matter what the outcome is next week, it won't decide anything."
Celtic manager Gordon Strachan praised the "energy" after admitting they were "lax" in their tackling and heading and in "giving free-kicks away" in falling behind early on before a fortunate equaliser on the interval.
Strachan was left with injury concerns for next week with Stephen McManus forced off in the 55th minute having twisted his knee in the opening stages. The Celtic manager conceded the problem may have been caused by his captain "overcompensating" for an ankle problem that had been troubling. The champions also lost Darren O'Dea after he was injured in the warm-up. The two players must now be rated doubtful for Ibrox.
Strachan appeared pleased to be told yesterday marked his 200th game in charge and his 132nd win since his June 2005 appointment. "It has been an absolute privilege to be manager of this club," he said. "It is good fun and there is never a dull day."
