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Hitman relishing Strachan reunion
Middlesbrough, 13:00, February 2, 2010 ,
Scott McDonald is looking forward to playing for Middlesbrough as he is linking up with 'a manager who rates me' in Gordon Strachan.
The 26-year-old sealed a beat-the-deadline £3million move to the Riverside Stadium on Monday to become the seventh new arrival at Boro and fifth player to leave Celtic for Teesside in the past month.
McDonald admitted he has endured a difficult few days not knowing where his future lies, but he is now champing at the bit to get his Boro career up and running.
The Australian international told the Gazette: "It has been a very emotional time for me. Since Middlesbrough put in their bid last week there has been a lot of back and forth between the clubs and my head has been in a spin.
"Now it's all been completed I'm glad it's done and I know where my future lies.
"I know I'm going to get the chance to play football here under a manager who rates me and that's the bottom line."
He added: "The truth is I leave Celtic with a heavy heart. It's a special place and I'll take some great memories with me."
McDonald was one of three incoming signings on transfer deadline day, as Boro also paid £500,000 for Aberdeen target man Lee Miller, and snapped up defender Kyle Naughton on loan from Spurs. All three players are now set to make their debuts in Boro's game at Ipswich Town on Saturday.
On the deals, Strachan said: "I wanted to bring in hungry players who want to get better and not go with the flow.
"I've got players who want to win, who are not used to getting beat and want to compete.
"McDonald scores goals at any level, Miller is a target man who holds the ball up and scores goals, and Kyle is a good lad, with a good physique who likes to get forward."