Scott McDonald hails Strachan plans

MIDDLESBROUGH striker Scott McDonald is confident his club can return to the Premier League after learning the plans of manager Gordon Strachan.

McDonald joined for a reported 3.2million from Celtic and the 26-year-old Australia international believes Strachan, his manager at Parkhead, can motivate the team to regain top-flight status.

McDonald said: "I spoke to the manager about where he wants to go with this football club. He has set high standards and I really firmly believe we can get there."

McDonald, whose side travel to Ipswich today, also believes the input of chairman Steve Gibson is vital to future projects.

He added: "We have got a fantastic chairman who has backed the club and is still willing to do that. He is quoted as the best chairman in football and, from what the manager says, I firmly believe that."