Skippy: "I'll be fit for Europe"

[Flashback]

Scott McDonald is confident of being fit for the beginning of Celtic's UEFA Champions League campaign.
The Hoops have been drawn against holders Manchester United, Bruce Rioch's Aalborg and Spanish side Villarreal in Group E.
Australia striker McDonald is currently sidelined with a groin tear, but is hopeful of returning to action in time for the European kick-off come 16th September.
"I'm very confident of being fit and ready for that. I think the Rangers game [at the weekend] comes just a couple of days too early for myself," said McDonald.
"I should be fighting fit and ready to go the week before the Champions League starts.
Fabulous

"I want to get my foot in the door and get back in the team but when you get out of the team here, it's always difficult to get back in."
Meanwhile, Celtic chairman John Reid is thoroughly looking forward to seeing the side come up against United after the two clubs locked horns in the group stages two years ago.
"It's a big one, isn't it?" he said of being paired with United. "We seem to make a habit of drawing the European champions.
"It's fabulous for Celtic fans. There are no easy groups, there are no free passes in Europe. We're just proud to be Scotland's representative in there and to be playing the European champions."

[DustyMcCeltic]

Get the head down Skippy!

At least hes acknowledged that he'll need to work to earn his place back

[Fionn MacCool]

Definitely out for Sunday then. WGS has looked a right numpty, first BBC report it as a 3-4 week lay off, and hours later WGS said "its a matter of days not weeks", then he says he'll probably be back for the huns game, and now Skipps is setting is sights on over 2 weeks away.

[CelticUtd]

Good stuff

[Flashback]

Skippy said the Old Firm is a few days to early for him which sounds like the game after the old firm for it.

[McNaka]

Originally Posted by Flashback

"It's fabulous for Celtic fans.
There are no easy groups, there are no free passes in Europe. We're just proud to be Scotland's representative in there and to be playing the European champions."

Nice subtle digs there

[bewdleybhoy]

Good news!

[pHatRon67]

Originally Posted by DustyMcCeltic

Get the head down Skippy!

At least hes acknowledged that he'll need to work to earn his place back

That was evident when he turned down the chance to go to the Olympics by saying he wasn't willing to lose his place in the Celtic squad

[celticdaftdan]

Good would like to have him back to full fitness soon.

[Shifty917]

Hopefully the striker competition will make him an even better player

[Ryan67]

McDonald and fit now there's 2 words you dont see together very often. by saying he's gonna be fit does he mean he's gonna lose the extra stone he's carrying?

[paulmcq1888]

great attitude

[b1gs341]

Bet he comes back ready to score some goals. Seems to understand now it's gonna take some work to get back to where he last year. Personally I think McDonald, Maloney, and JVOH are all gonna have good years this year.

[ChampionsElect]

Who needs him, not as If he scores many goals

[Wolfe Tone]

Originally Posted by Shifty917

Hopefully the striker competition will make him an even better player

That's the thing, if Samaras and Maloney do start on Sunday and put in a productive shift like they did against Falkirk, and go onto continually reproduce the goods thewn Scott will have to improve his game (given what we have seen of him in the opening two games) to get his place back.

Although given last seasons heroics he just might instantly command a place in the 1st team, it will be intresting to watch the other forward players in action whilst he's out.