02.01.2010
McDonald backs Ki for Celtic success
Celtic's Australian forward Scott McDonald, seen in action during their Scottish Premier League match between vs Rangers at Ibrox, Glasgow, Scotland, last May. McDonald believes Celtic's new South Korean star Ki Sung-Yueng can handle the Old Firm heat if he plays against Rangers on Sunday.
McDonald has been impressed with Ki - both on and off the pitch - and has no fears over the former FC Seoul player settling into the Scottish top flight.
"I played against South Korea for Australia (a 3-1 friendly win for Korea) just after Ki's deal had been agreed and I had a good chat with him. It was good to be able to welcome him to the club," said McDonald of the 20-year-old who will be a World Cup rival in South Africa in the summer.
"I've been chatting to him over the last few days and he spent three years in Australia when he was younger, so he knows about me and my country.
"He's fitting in well, speaks perfect English and seems to be a really good player. I was certainly impressed with him when he played for South Korea.
"Can I see him making his debut against Rangers? You just never know. We've seen some surprise debutants before in derbies, so we'll wait and see what the manager decides," McDonald told the official Celtic website.
Celtic have a game in hand over Rangers, but go into Sunday's match seven points behind their great rivals.
McDonald knows the game is key to cutting the gap in the title race as well as boosting his hopes of finishing as club top scorer this season.
He has 13 to his name so far, but his best season was in 2007/08 when he grabbed 31.
"You make your own luck by working hard. That?s what I?ll do. I?ve got 13 goals so far and it?s not a bad return at this stage of the season, but I?d love a few more," he said.
Source: © 2010 AFP - Andrew Yates
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