McDonald reveals Viduka dream

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The Newcastle striker, who had a spell at Celtic Park between 1998 and 2000, was set to retire from international football before the Asian Cup in July but then changed his mind. However, after exiting at the hands of Japan, the 31-year-old refused to commit himself further to the Socceroos.

McDonald urged his boyhood hero to suspend his threat of retirement until they had appeared together for the Socceroos, and said: "The Australian press told me there's talk of Mark retiring from international football, but I hope not. It would be fantastic to play alongside him, because being with him in squads in the past and seeing how good he is has been an eye-opener."

He added: "I have never been on the same pitch as him and I would love to play with him. He is similar to Jan (Vennegoor of Hesselink) in many ways, but maybe a little more mobile with his sharp turns and everything else.

"When he wanted to turn it on, he could be unbelievable and the best in the world at times. He has been very successful and I remember watching all his games in the Champions League.

"He was a hero of mine when I was younger. I grew up supporting Celtic and it was massive when he moved to the club from Croatia Zagreb.

"At one point, he came back to Australia to visit my team at the Victoria Institute of Sport, which he used to be part of, and sat down chatting to us.

"For me, it was about trying to get an autograph and a picture with him. Last time we met up, I spoke to him about it and he remembered the visit.

"It was special for us to have someone like Mark come and see us when he was back home on his holidays and I'd like to do something like that in future. But I never thought I would make it to this level when I saw him back then."