Mowbray promises goals will lead to more game time for McDonald

Published on Monday 9 November 2009 21:28

CELTIC manager Tony Mowbray has challenged striker Scott McDonald to guarantee himself a place in the side by scoring goals.

The Australia international paid for the chances he missed in the goalless draw against Hamburg in the Europa League on Thursday night when he was left on the bench for Sunday's trip to Falkirk in the Clydesdale Bank Premier League.

However, when Celtic went behind to a Pedro Moutinho volley in the second half, after Scott Arfield's penalty had cancelled out Gary Caldwell's opener, McDonald was thrown on in place of Paddy McCourt to try to rescue the game.

The former Motherwell striker – who scored 41 league goals in the previous two seasons – had barely been on the pitch for five minutes when he headed in the equaliser and minutes later he side-footed in from close range to give the visitors the lead.

The Bairns earned a point, though, in the 83rd minute through substitute Mark Stewart to scupper Celtic's hopes of going four points clear of Old Firm rivals Rangers at the top of the table.

After the draw, which nevertheless keeps Celtic two points clear at the top of the SPL, Mowbray threw down the gauntlet to McDonald, saying: "There is competition for places but I'm delighted that he scored a couple of goals. From my perspective, you'd like to be in the position where you don't leave Scott on the bench because he scores every single week.

"But he has had a few weeks where he has had some chances and the keeper has made good saves but hopefully those goals will help his confidence."

The goalkeeper Mowbray was referring to – Robert Olejnik – dedicated his remarkable double save from Aiden McGeady's penalty in the 3-3 draw to his fellow team mates and beleaguered Falkirk manager Eddie May.

With the game at the Falkirk stadium goalless and heading towards the break, Alex MacDonald tripped Danny Fox inside the box to give McGeady the chance to fire the visitors ahead. However, Austria Under-21 cap Olejnik saved the Celtic midfielder's first attempt then, as he lay on the round, flicked a leg up to knock McGeady's second effort from the rebound over the bar.

Olejnik modestly claimed his saves were down to luck but is hoping the confidence taken from the performance will help Falkirk and under-fire May begin their climb off the bottom of the Premier League table, where they remain with five points from 11 games.

"I owed the boys one, especially after last week (against St Johnstone)," said Olejnik. "My performances this season have been a little bit indifferent. I also owe a lot to the manager who kept faith with me all along. But penalties are all about luck. The players said he went the same way against Rangers but I didn't know that. It was his body shape, and luck – and that's all penalties are in the end.

"I also got pretty lucky with the rebound, he didn't quite catch it right."

Although believing his own performance was due to good fortune, Olejnik felt the Bairns deserved to share the spoils.

"I didn't think it was over when we went 3-2 down," he added. "We showed spirit and commitment coming back and the boys deserved the point.

"It showed big character to come back."