McDonald Thrilled With Well Return

Photo by Jeff Holmes

Scott McDonald warned he was not the "saviour" for Motherwell after returning to Fir Park eight years after he left for Celtic - but he vowed to prove he still has the goalscoring touch. The 31-year-old Australia international has signed until the end of the season for the Scottish Premiership bottom club after leaving Millwall last month. McDonald spent three successful years with the Steelmen between 2004 and 2007, netting 45 times in 111 starts, and will go straight into the squad for Saturday's Fir Park clash with Inverness as the club look to get off the basement. His arrival will spark increased optimism in a Motherwell support that is reeling from a poor run of one point from a possible 24 but the striker stressed their survival fight would need to be a team effort. "Everyone has a big part of play as we try to climb up the table," he said. "With Stephen Pearson coming back fit, hopefully we can give everyone a lift, the supporters and players. "I can't tell you if I will have that effect but I hope we get off to a flying start and don't look back. "Scoring goals is what I enjoy, if I can do that or help us win games... It's not about the Scott McDonald show or the saviour is in town. I want to help the team win games and get the club back up the table and keep this club safe." McDonald was close to moving elsewhere until Motherwell got in touch with the striker on Wednesday - and he flew up from London first thing on Thursday. "I'm delighted to be back," he said. "It feels like coming home a wee bit. This place brought me a lot of success and happy memories and I'm looking to build on that. "It's 12 games and I'm not looking at anything beyond that. Motherwell wanted me and to feel wanted is a massive factor in coming here and wanting to play a role that will suit me. I want to get back to scoring goals and being successful for myself and the team. "It happened all of a sudden and I had some decisions to make. As soon as I found out Motherwell wanted me here, it was all I wanted to do to come back. Even my wife was badgering me to come back. "I had a couple of things in the pipeline but they were shut down quickly as soon as Motherwell made it known they were really interested. As soon as I spoke to the manager it was a no-brainer. "Some of the options I had were abroad and I don't feel my career is at that point yet. I feel I have much more to give in the British game. I want to get back to doing what I do best. "I'm here to push on again for myself. The times I have been at my most successful are the times I've been at my happiest. This place certainly gave me that and coming through the doors again made me feel happy." Ian Baraclough could now turn to the striker when Caley Thistle visit on Saturday. "I'm ready to play," McDonald said. "One thing you learn when you get older is to look after your body better."