No Fear For McDonald

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Motherwell striker Scott McDonald will have tunnel vision when he enters a sold-out Ibrox on Thursday night.

The former Celtic striker has played in Old Firm derbies in Govan as well as World Cup and Champions League games so harbours no fears about Thursday's Scottish Premiership play-off final first leg.

The Australian is joined by fellow former Celtic players Stephen Pearson and Stephen McManus while Keith Lasley and Steven Hammell each have more than a decade of experience for Motherwell.

And McDonald is convinced that his team will not be overawed by the atmosphere at Ibrox despite having only 950 fans in the 50,000 crowd.

"When the whistle blows, it's another pitch, another 90 minutes, you get on with it," the 31-year-old said.

"You can say what you want about crowds having an influence but you have to keep a cool head and stay calm and do what you have to do. It will be no different on Thursday and Sunday.

"I will be encouraging the younger boys to try to be positive and do the right things and not panic a bit. But we have got some good young players and I don't think that will be the case.

"It will be more of a case of relishing the challenge and getting to perform on the big stage."

McDonald, who returned to Fir Park in February after leaving Millwall, added: "These games are as big as they come and probably as big as I have played in since I left Scotland. They are games everyone should look forward to. It's great to play on the big stage again.

"It could be a fantastic way to end a disappointing season. To end it on a high like this would be fantastic to take into next season."