TEL and transformation. Inverness will hope that soon becomes a buzz-phrase around the club after the appointment of Terry Butcher. It should certainly resonate with Scott McDonald.
Little more than five years have elapsed since the Australian striker, having been freed by Southampton, struggled to find a club after unsuccessful trials at Livingston and Dundee United. So disenchanted did McDonald become as he sought a break, he
was ready to jet back home before then Motherwell manager Butcher recognised his worth in a trial and awarded him a contract. That proved the starting point for a complete reversal in McDonald's fortunes. The forward doesn't rule out the vocal and voluble Englishman – once more operating with former Fir Park lieutenant Maurice Malpas – being able to effect something similar for the SPL's bottom-placed club, who he will lead for the first time as Celtic visit this afternoon.
"Terry's going to have them lifted," McDonald says. "He is a great motivator and I'm sure he'll do a good job. He'll get his point across, that's for sure. He's a great lad, full of life, enjoys his football and he's back with the No.2 he formed an excellent partnership with at Motherwell. Maurice is an excellent tactician and they'll do their damn best to keep them up."
McDonald describes Butcher as "a brave character as a footballer who expects that from his players". Butcher got that in spades from the squat young man from Melbourne. A narky, restless, battler with the talent to back up his considerable self-belief , it is not difficult to see why he would warm to McDonald.
A football showman, equally it is easy to see why the Inverness board would be taken with what their new manager has to offer. Recently, both in terms of the team and a factional support, Inverness have seemed a rabble in need of rousing. Gordon Strachan believes that the simple change in circumstances, rather than the fact a character such as Butcher has replaced Craig Brewster, will provide that.
"There will be enthusiasm from their players and we will have to deal with that," says the Celtic manager. "They will probably get inspired because they are away from the negative media coverage now the old manager has left. A depression hangs around the place when a manager is under pressure and it clears for a wee while when a new one comes in."
Celtic find themselves heading to the Highlands on the back of their remarkable 11-10 penalty success over Dundee United in the Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final on Wednesday. McDonald created history in becoming the only player in the Scottish game to convert two spot-kicks in a penalty decider.
Celtic's followers delighted in the midweek outcome because it sets up a first Old Firm final in six years. The sponsors' dream final also means the ancient adversaries will do battle in each of the next three months. Such familiarity will not breed contempt so much as be feasted on by both clubs.
"It is going to be big," McDonald says of the cup date being sandwiched between league meetings on February 8 and the first post-split weekend of April 25/26. "They are great games to play in. Every one is different. There is very much mutual respect, with one win each in the games this season."
That won't last in a season that could yet conclude with pair scrapping it out in the Scottish Cup final.
