McDonald happy to oblige his skipper with the winning goal

Lucas Neill said he would be happy with a 1-0 result in the 95th minute and Scott McDonald would be happy to oblige him on Wednesday night, if he gets the opportunity against Uzbekistan.

Lucas Neill said he would be happy with a 1-0 result in the 95th minute and Scott McDonald would be happy to oblige him on Wednesday night, if he gets the opportunity against Uzbekistan.

Yet to score a goal for the Socceroos in 10 appearances, McDonald said he would give his right arm to score the winning goal against the Uzbek-s at Stadium Australia*, which would not only break his duck, but just might qualify Australia for its second successive World Cup finals appearance.

The Celtic striker is in good form in front of goals at the moment for his club and is hoping he can translate that into goals for the national team on a regular basis.

“To score the winning goal on Wednesday, I-d give my right arm,” the likeable Victorian said from the team-s hotel in Parramatta. “It would be nice wouldn-t it?

“In the past, in big games its been there for me and it-s another big game and of course it would be nice to start or whether I come off the bench and get that winning goal; it would be a great honour.”

“My form is fine; probably since the turn of the year, I-ve been a lot better; back among the goals again and playing some good football.

“We picked up another trophy (CSI Scottish Cup) there the other week, which was fantastic and we are three points clear at the top of the table, so couldn-t be any happier at the moment.”

For McDonald there is no greater honour than pulling on the green and gold shirt.

“It-s a big thing for me, he said proudly. “The biggest thing in your career is play for your country and it-s a proud moment.

“So anytime you get a chance to play for your country, you want to play, it-s as simply as that.

Confidence is quite high in the camp and with the extra days preparation, the team has no excuses.

“Yeah good; confident,” when asked how the mood in the camp is. “I-m enjoying training; enjoying being back home as always.

“We-ve got a couple of good days work in now; we-ll have another session this afternoon and one more tomorrow and we will be ready for Wednesday night.

“The extra few days, I think it always helps. The manager can tell the boys exactly what he wants from them.

“You can work on team shape and a lot of things like that and hopefully this time around it can be beneficial, although only time will tell on Wednesday night.”

McDonald, who didn't see game time against Japan in the last match, would have to rate a strong chance of starting the match, given his recent goal scoring form and the fact he is playing regularly.

“A starting berth, I hope so, but only time will tell.

“I can only do my bit on the training ground and see what the manager is thinking and at the end of the day, it-s solely up to him.”

He has no doubts that he will be a success at international level having proven himself at the top level in Scotland and in European competition.

“I think there is always something to prove, but I think that I have proven myself over the last two years that I have played at the top level, whether that be playing for Celtic in the league (Scottish Premier League) or in the Champions League, which is arguably the biggest competition at the moment, up there with the World Cup.

“Obviously the World Cup is the big one for all us boys and that-s you want to play in. I am very envious of what the boys did the last time, so it would be huge for me, if we were to get there again.”

Tickets are still available for the match against Uzbekistan. To purchase your tickets, go to www.ticketek.com.au or phone on 132 849 or they can be purchased from all Ticketek outlets.

*ANZ Stadium referred to original name of Stadium Australia, due to rules of Asian Football Confederation.