A-League: Scott McDonald signs for Robbie Fowler’s Brisbane Roar

Former Socceroos striker Scott McDonald says the chance to link up with Robbie Fowler at Brisbane Roar was too good to refuse.

Former Socceroos striker Scott McDonald is eager to start work with Robbie Fowler at Brisbane Roar. Picture: Glenn Ferguson

Scott McDonald’s move to Brisbane Roar has been completed after the 36-year-old former Socceroos striker secured a release from Western United, allowing him to sign an 18-month deal with the Roar.

The ex-Celtic and Middlesbrough marksman could be rushed into Brisbane’s squad for Saturday’s clash against Wellington Phoenix at Suncorp Stadium.

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McDonald is the second signing in the January transfer window by Roar coach and Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler, after left back Corey Brown joined Brisbane until the end of the season following the termination of his Melbourne Victory contract.

McDonald told the Scottish Daily Record: “When Robbie offered me this opportunity there was simply no way I could turn it down.

“You don’t get the chance to work with someone of his status every day ¬ never mind when you’re already 36.

“I may be coming towards the end of my career but you are never too old to learn in this game and I can’t wait to start working with him.

“I’m joining an established A-League club with a big support and hopefully there may be a pathway into coaching in the academy structure when the time comes to hang up my boots.

“When I came back to Australia I did hope to bring the curtain down on my career with a bit of a bang. Robbie has now given me the opportunity to do just that and I really want to get on with the job of repaying him.”

Meanwhile, Melbourne City coach Erick Mombaerts believes new signing Markel Susaeta can be the spark to ignite his team’s misfiring A-League attack.

Susaeta, who made over 500 appearances for La Liga club Athletic Bilbao, has signed with City until the end of the season. He looks likely to make his debut from the bench against Newcastle Jets on Saturday.

Mombaerts was surprised Susaeta was willing to come to the A-League, given it can sometimes be difficult to persuade European players to move to Australia.

“He’s a great player for us – a great background, he played a lot of games in one of the best championships of the world – La Liga,” Mombaerts said on Friday. “I think also he has all the qualities we need in our style of player.

“Spanish players are always good technically, they also understand well about possession-based football.

“He’s not a Barca player, but he’s Athletic Bilbao and all teams in La Liga try to have a good possession-based football.

“And he’s a great player but he’s also a very good man with a very good attitude.”

Western Sydney coach Markus Babbel has revealed an honest conversation with German striker Alex Meier led to both club and player agreeing to a mutual contract termination.

The 37-year-old was released from his contract on Friday morning after 12 games and just one goal for the Wanderers.

Babbel, who is under pressure to turn the Wanderers’ poor season form around, said he was sad to lose Meier but the termination was a solution to ongoing “problems”.

Unwilling to elaborate on the problems he had discussed with Meier, Babbel hinted there were issues behind the scenes in the German striker’s personal life.

“There were a couple of reasons there. This is normal. You can’t bring your best performance if you have these kind of problems,” Babbel said. “We know how good he is and how good he can be. He’s a top pro. A couple of games you could see it but not regularly.

“It is like it is. We’re all humans. Sometimes things go in the right way and sometimes things are not going in the right way.

“It doesn’t mean he’s a bad player or a bad person. He’s a top pro and a great person. It wasn’t working.”

Babbel said luck was on his side with Irish striker Simon Cox being available to start immediately as a replacement for Meier.

It’s hoped the 32-year-old Irish international will not only score goals but boost the mood around Wanderers headquarters midway through a disappointing season.

Cox will arrive in Australia on Sunday before the Wanderers match against Perth but it’s understood he will not run out in the red and black for a few weeks yet.

THE COURIER-MAIL/AAP