Scott McDonald joins Brisbane Roar after getting a release from Western United
Former Socceroos striker Scott McDonald says the chance to link up with Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler at Brisbane Roar was too good to refuse and has finally secured a release from Western United.
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New Brisbane signing Scott McDonald says Roar coach Robbie Fowler will understand him in a way his former mentor Mark Rudan couldn’t.
With his Western United ordeal finally over, former Socceroos striker McDonald on Friday signed an 18-month deal with the Roar and is set to be included in Brisbane’s squad for today’s match against Wellington Phoenix at Suncorp Stadium.
McDonald has been desperate to link with Fowler since the start of the January transfer window.
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But United coach Rudan played hardball after falling out with the 36-year-old ex-Celtic and Middlesbrough marksman.
“I’ve been in a sticky situation for a couple of weeks now, and I’m just glad to get it resolved and move on,” McDonald told The Courier-Mail.
“It was the club’s decision in terms of not releasing me until now but I’ve got to thank them for their understanding and appreciation of the situation.
“I’ve got nothing but my best wishes for Western United as a football club … but I’ve (now) got a manager (Fowler) in front of me that is going to understand me and I’ll understand him right from the word go.
“I’m not saying Mark didn’t, but it’s just a different type of relationship.”
McDonald expects to flourish playing under Fowler, and not just because of the Liverpool great’s achievements as a striker.
“I haven’t played up front all season. Coming here gives me also gives me the opportunity to show people what I can do in my preferred role,” said McDonald, who was mainly deployed in a play-making midfield role by Rudan.
“To get an opportunity to play in a system where there’s two up front, at times, and also the opportunity for me to play as a centre-forward, which I wasn’t considered for at all at Western United … it’s all positive for me.”
Fowler said McDonald’s class and experience would prove invaluable at the Roar.
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“It’s always good to have a player of Scotty’s ilk at a club,” Fowler said.
“He’s played at a really good level and the younger players at the club can learn a lot from him.”
McDonald’s arrival spells further bad news for the already out-of-favour Irish striker Roy O’Donovan, who hasn’t started a game since the Roar’s 2-0 loss to Western United on December 13.
A hip flexor injury is likely to prevent O’Donovan from even sitting on the bench today.
Corey Brown, who returned to the Roar this week after the termination of his Melbourne Victory deal, will start in the left wing-back role.
With McDonald not yet having trained with the team, he will be among the substitutes, allowing him the possibility of a late cameo.
“I’m good to go. Hopefully, I’ll be in the squad and whatever the Gaffer (Fowler) wants, I’ll be ready,” McDonald said.
Originally published as Scott McDonald joins Brisbane Roar after getting a release from Western United