McDonald hoping old team Motherwell can do Celtic a favour

The Australian striker took his tally for the season to 31 with the clincher in a 2-0 Parkhead victory over a Hibs side that ended the game with nine men.

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The result moved Gordon Strachan's men four points clear of Rangers, who have two games in hand, and also assured Motherwell of third spot. The championship chase now looks destined for a final-day shoot-out on May 22, but McDonald wants to see Well remove Rangers' advantage when Walter Smith's men head to Fir Park this Saturday.

"I had texts off a few of the Motherwell boys before the game, asking me to do them a favour," said McDonald. "That's them home and dry, so congratulations to them. I'm delighted for them because they deserve it.

"Hopefully, these boys can now do us a favour. We played really well against Hibs but it's all about results. That's another one down for us and there's one more to go.

"All we can do is wait and see what happens. It's a strange situation, having to wait so long for the last game but we'll be more than ready.

"We need Rangers to slip up somewhere. It's all about how they react after the UEFA Cup Final on Wednesday night. I wish them all the best for that, but that's not the case when it comes to the league."

McDonald added to a first-half opener from Stephen McManus yesterday, with Hibs having Martin Canning and Ian Murray sent off by referee Dougie McDonald in the final seven minutes of a highly-entertaining encounter.

It was Celtic's sixth straight SPL win, keeping them in the thick of a championship challenge that seemed doomed when they lost 1-0 at home to Motherwell on April 5.

"I suppose we would have taken this in April, when we were so far behind," added McDonald. "In hindsight, you kick yourself for that Motherwell result.

"I really hope that doesn't make the difference but, if we had won that game, then we could be ahead right now regardless of games in hand. On a personal level, it would be disappointing for me to score all these goals and not win the title."

McDonald blotted his copybook at the start of the second half when, having gone past Hibs keeper Andy McNeil, he failed to cut the ball back for either Mark Wilson or Shunsuke Nakamura.

It was a moment of striking selfishness that prompted manager Strachan to launch his water bottle on to the pitch in frustration, with Celtic only 1-0 ahead at the time.

"Did I give away my frustration? I'm told I did," said a smiling Strachan. "For Scott, I'm glad it didn't cost us.

"But he has worked very hard this year and it's very difficult to be critical. We've kept him on and again he has scored."

Strachan insisted he would cope comfortably with the pressure of waiting for their remaining trip to face Dundee United at Tannadice in 10 days' time.

"I think I'll stay off the drink and be OK," he said. "I've come through relegation battles and this isn't going to bother me one little bit."

Strachan also sent his own good luck message across the Old Firm divide as Rangers prepare to do battle with Zenit St Petersburg at the City of Manchester Stadium.

"I wish them all the best," said the Parkhead boss. "Walter and his coaching staff, and the players, have had an incredible amount of work to do in Europe. What they have done has to be admired."