Celtic keep their title hopes alive with victory in the final Old Firm derby of the season

The former Motherwell striker admits that his two goals against Celtic at the very death of season 2004-05, handing the title to Rangers, still rankle with supporters.

But he believes that a championship-winning end to his first season in the Hoops would finally put an end to mutterings about past misdemeanours.

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"It would mean the world to me," said the Australian international, who also won the decisive penalty in yesterday's 3-2 home win for Celtic.

"A lot of people still ask about those two goals for Motherwell and, then, with me missing the penalty against Rangers in the last game, it was a case of here we go again - people were saying: 'He has done it again.'

"So, from my point of view, it was so pleasing to contribute in the last game, setting up the winner, and then to get the monkey off my back by scoring against our great rivals today. It's a big thing to the supporters."

McDonald, who had never scored in an Old Firm game before yesterday, admitted: "The goals haven't been coming as frequently lately and I've been getting frustrated, but working hard. Scoring so early today gave me a massive lift.

"For the first goal, I didn't have time to look around, it was just instinct. It was touch and hit, then look around. Goal - happy days.

"With the second goal, I should be doing more turning and hitting the ball in the box - that is my territory."

"For the penalty, I couldn't go any quicker because the ball was in the air and I was waiting for it. 'The defender made a rash challenge and I've gone down. To be honest, I would have preferred to go on and score my hat-trick, although I should have had that earlier.

"I was thinking about taking the penalty because I was on a hat-trick. But Barry Robson was right to have it."

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Rangers now have three matches in hand, but victories for Celtic over Motherwell, Hibernian and Dundee United could stretch Rangers to the limit amid their fixture pile-up.

McDonald said: "We still have a lot to do. All we have done is got ourselves back in the race, and got a bit of pride back as well.

"We have taken a lot of hits this year, rightly so at times, but it was nice to get one over your rivals. All we can do now is hope it does put pressure on them.

McDonald put the champions ahead early on but headers from David Weir and Daniel Cousin put Rangers ahead before McDonald levelled before half-time.

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Parkhead midfielder Robson scored with the penalty after the break to regain the lead and in a typically-enthralling Old Firm encounter, there was one more bit of drama remaining.

Rangers defender Steven Whittaker, booked earlier for a foul on Lee Naylor, was sent off in injury time after a foul on Hoops midfielder.

When referee Craig Thomson blew for full-time Celtic were five points clear at the top of the SPL although the Ibrox side have three games in hand.

THE LINE-UPS

Celtic: Boruc, Hinkel, Caldwell, McManus, Naylor, Nakamura, Hartley, Robson, McGeady, Vennegoor of Hesselink, McDonald.

Subs: Mark Brown, Samaras, Scott Brown, O'Dea, Caddis, Donati, Wilson.

Rangers: Alexander, Broadfoot, Dailly, Weir, Papac, Whittaker, Hemdani, Ferguson, Davis, Novo, Cousin.

Subs: Graeme Smith, Boyd, Darcheville, Faye, Lennon, McMillan, Fleck.

Referee: C Thomson (Scotland)