THE pressure is on Scott McDonald to reproduce his Celtic scoring feats for Australia, but the pint-sized striker has no fears of being at the sharp end of the Socceroos` World Cup qualifying campaign.With Germany-based Josh Kennedy unavailable and Mark Viduka nearing retirement, McDonald can cement his place as Australia`s permanent striker with a dominant performance against Iraq at Suncorp Stadium.
Socceroos fans will have high expectations of McDonald after the 24-year-old Victorian fired home 31 goals for Celtic this season to lead the Glasgow giants to the Scottish Premiership.
"I deal with pressure all year," McDonald said.
"If you play in front of 60,000 at Celtic Park, week in and week out, they expect the best from you, if not they certainly tell you. It`s no different to coming here. More than anything I relish that and enjoy that."
Good club form is no guarantee of goals at international level, something which has plagued Viduka in his time leading the Australian line.
McDonald is still to open his account for the Socceroos but hopes growing familiarity with his teammates and coach Pim Verbeek`s system will help.
"I`m still learning to play along with the boys. This week is a good opportunity for me to learn to link up with Bresh (Mark Bresciano) and a few others. These are guys that I looked up to as a younger kid, (who) I aspired to be and to play with.
"Now to get the opportunity, it`s great, and (I`m) looking forward to getting the opportunity to getting out there and showing my stuff."
Meanwhile, midfield general Vince Grella is hoping to showcase more of his attacking talents against the Iraqis.
"You`ve got to stick to your strengths (but) this past season in Italy (for Torino) I`ve tried to get more involved in the attacking side," he said.
"In Italy the deep-line midfielder doesn`t exist any more."
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The Sunday Mail (Qld)
