McDonald focused on Dons

13 August 2009 22:58
// A bit of a hack but it works// The article snippet is wrapped onto a second line, even when #article-sub is emptyif( $("div#article-sub").children().length == 0 ) {$("div#article-sub").remove();} Scott McDonald insists Celtic are fully focused on Aberdeen this weekend despite their Champions League qualifier with Arsenal looming large.[LNB] The Bhoys take on the might of Arsenal on Tuesday for a right to play in the Champions League group stages and McDonald is determined to see Celtic join Old Firm rivals Rangers in the draw.[LNB]However, the Australia international believes they must take one game at a time as anything less than a win against Aberdeen could jeopardise their chances against Arsenal.[LNB]"Especially at a club like Celtic you have to concentrate on one game at a time because if the result doesn't go our way on Saturday it's the end of the world," said McDonald.[LNB]"Then we've got Arsenal on the Tuesday and everyone is thinking 'Well, if you couldn't beat Aberdeen then you are in trouble against Arsenal.'[LNB]"That's the way it works up here. You've got to be on your toes for every game and every game is just as important as the next whether it be Aberdeen in the league or Arsenal in the Champions League.[LNB]"Every game right on your door-step is the most important one and that's Aberdeen on Saturday. We couldn't have asked for a tougher place to go in the first game of the season."[LNB]Celtic have already been written off as no-hopers by many critics ahead of the tie, but McDonald believes the Hoops can take a home advantage to defend at the Emirates.[LNB]"When have you ever seen Celtic going into a game at home thinking they can't win?" he said.[LNB]"It's the same with the supporters. We have seen massive teams come to Celtic Park and we have over-turned them.[LNB]"Hopefully we can do that once more against a quality Arsenal side and we can make it a night like the nights against AC Milan and Manchester United and go into the second game with a win under our belts.[LNB]"That's the aim and hopefully we can do that. The closer the game comes, the more belief people have. We have a strong belief in our squad that we can do it."[LNB]However, he admits Arsenal's demolition of Rangers in the Emirates Cup does act as a warning, and one that they can learn from before the battle commences.[LNB]"They've (Arsenal) lost a few experienced players but what they have brought in is a youthful side with a lot of quality.[LNB]"We have seen that already in the Emirates Cup with the boy (Jack) Wilshere who played against Rangers and was phenomenal. They've got other threats as well.[LNB]"There are a lot of players who have gone but Arsene Wenger is a very good manager and he knows what he's doing.[LNB]"He wouldn't have let his players go if he didn't think believe the players he's got there now would step in and do a more than adequate job."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports