McDonald on score sheet again for Celtic

Scott McDonald will go into next Tuesday’s international match against Argentina in a confident frame of mind, after scoring yet again for Celtic on the weekend.

Scott McDonald will go into next Tuesday-s international match against Argentina in a confident frame of mind, after scoring yet again for Celtic on the weekend.

After grabbing the only goal for Celtic in the midweek European Champions League match that saw them progress to the main round, McDonald set up the first goal and scored the second before half-time, as they destroyed St Mirren 5-1.

McDonald is a strong contender to lead the line against Argentina at the MCG on Tuesday September 11 in his current form and will be especially looking forward to playing in front of his family and friends, in such a big game.

He could partner another local Melbournian in Josh Kennedy, who started for the second game running for FC Nurnberg in the German Bundesliga. Kennedy missed all of last year with an Achilles tendon injury. He played 60 minutes, while his Socceroos team-mate at Nurnberg Michael Beauchamp remained on the bench, as did Dario Vidosic.

Other locals in the Australian team were also in action over the weekend, with Vince Grella playing a full match in Torino-s 2-2 draw at home against Reggina, while Mark Bresciano came on in the 73rd minute, as Palermo won 4-2 away at Liverno.

In England, Mark Schwarzer, Lucas Neill, Brett Emerton and Mark Viduka enjoyed a successful weekend. Schwarzer kept a clean sheet as Middlesbrough were too strong for Birmingham City, winning 2-0; Neill played a full game in West Ham-s 3-0 win over Reading and Emerton played a full game in Blackburn Rovers 1-0 win over Manchester City

Viduka (hamstring injury) only played the first half in Newcastle-s 1-0 win over Wigan Athletic. For Wigan, Josip Skoko, who will play his final international against Argentina, made his first appearance of the season, coming on as a 29th minute substitute.

In the English Championship, Patrick Kisnorbo and James Wesolowski both played full games in Leicester City-s 0-0 draw away at Plymouth Argyle, while David Carney was again not included in Sheffield United-s squad that went down 3-2 away at Scunthorpe. Daniel McBreen was an unused sub for Scunthorpe.

It was a battle of the Aussies in Holland, although unfortunately only Luke Wilkshire took the park, as FC Twente drew 0-0 at home against Jason Culina-s PSV Eindhoven. Culina remained on the bench. Brett Holman played a full game for NEC Nijmegen in a 1-0 loss to Vitesse Arnhem.

In Turkey, Nick Carle again played a full game for Genclerbirligi, as they drew 2-2 away at Ankaragucu, while Mile Sterjovski enjoyed a successful debut for Genclerbirligi OFTAS, scoring the equaliser against Turkish giants Fenerbahce, seven minutes after coming on as a substitute late in the match.

Of the local lads in the Socceroos team, Alex Brosque scored in Sydney FC-s 2-2 draw with Adelaide; Dean Heffernan helped set up the first goal for Nik Mrdja; while Simon Colosimo (Perth Glory) was a colossus at the back in denying Archie Thompson (Melbourne Victory) any goals in their match at the Telstra Dome.