By Chris Burton Last updated: 13th October 2008
McDonald: No weight problem
Scott McDonald has hit back at those critics that have questioned his fitness levels this season.
The Celtic striker has faced queries about his weight this term, but feels he is being harshly treated.
He insists he is in the best possible shape, considering a recent groin problem, and aims to silence his detractors over the coming weeks.
"I didn't take too kindly to suggestions that I was overweight - it's just a load of nonsense," McDonald told the Evening Times.
"But it's something that inspires you to go out there and chuck it back at them.
"My fitness hasn't been up to scratch, but people have to realise that when you've been out for three to four weeks with a groin injury - and before that you've only played two games at the start of the season - you haven't had much game time.
"I can reassure you that everything is fine. My weight is the same as it was last season when I was scoring goals and I'll continue to work hard to get fitter.
"Hopefully that will see me get back to the top of my game and have me scoring goals for my club and country."
Australia international McDonald is currently preparing for World Cup qualifying action against Qatar on Wednesday.
With nine previous appearances for his country yielding no goals the striker is desperate to get off the mark if selected in midweek.
"If called upon I can do a job and it would be nice to finally get my first goal for my country," he said.
"It's been a while in the waiting and I don't really want to wait too much longer."

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| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 21st November | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 12:30 | Hearts vs St Johnstone |
| 15:00 | Falkirk vs Hamilton |
| 15:00 | Motherwell vs Aberdeen |
| 15:00 | Rangers vs Kilmarnock |
| 15:00 | St Mirren vs Hibernian |
| Sunday 22nd November | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 12:30 | Dundee Utd vs Celtic |
| Saturday 28th November | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Aberdeen vs Rangers |
| 15:00 | Celtic vs St Mirren |
| 15:00 | Hibernian vs Falkirk |
| 15:00 | Kilmarnock vs Hearts |
| 15:00 | Motherwell vs Dundee Utd |
| 15:00 | St Johnstone vs Hamilton |
| Saturday 5th December | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 12:30 | Falkirk vs Rangers |
| 15:00 | Celtic vs Aberdeen |
| 15:00 | Dundee Utd vs St Mirren |
| 15:00 | Hibernian vs Motherwell |
| 15:00 | St Johnstone vs Kilmarnock |
| Sunday 6th December | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Hamilton vs Hearts |
| Saturday 12th December | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| 12:45 | Motherwell vs Celtic |
| 15:00 | Aberdeen vs Hamilton |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Sunday 8th November | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Falkirk 3 - 3 Celtic | |
| Saturday 7th November | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Hearts 0 - 0 Hibernian | |
| Hamilton 2 - 2 Motherwell | |
| Kilmarnock 0 - 2 Dundee Utd | |
| Rangers 2 - 1 St Mirren | |
| Aberdeen 2 - 1 St Johnstone | |
| Saturday 31st October | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Motherwell 1 - 0 Hearts | |
| Hibernian 2 - 0 Aberdeen | |
| Celtic 3 - 0 Kilmarnock | |
| St Johnstone 3 - 1 Falkirk | |
| St Mirren 0 - 2 Hamilton | |
| Sunday 25th October | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Hamilton 1 - 2 Celtic | |
| Saturday 24th October | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| Aberdeen 0 - 2 Dundee Utd | |
| Kilmarnock 2 - 1 St Johnstone | |
| Hearts 0 - 0 Falkirk | |
| Rangers 1 - 1 Hibernian | |
| St Mirren 3 - 3 Motherwell | |
| Saturday 17th October | |
| Clydesdale Bank Premier League | |
| St Johnstone 1 - 2 Rangers | |
| Falkirk 1 - 3 St Mirren | |
| Celtic 0 - 0 Motherwell | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Celtic | 11 | 24 |
| 2 | Rangers | 10 | 22 |
| 3 | Hibernian | 11 | 21 |
| 4 | Dundee United | 10 | 19 |
| 5 | Motherwell | 11 | 18 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | 11 | 14 |
| 7 | St Mirren | 11 | 12 |
| 8 | Hearts | 11 | 10 |
| 9 | St Johnstone | 11 | 9 |
| 10 | Kilmarnock | 11 | 9 |
| 11 | Hamilton Academical | 11 | 9 |
| 12 | Falkirk | 11 | 5 |
Sunderland fan Lucinda Gittins was strutting her stuff in the Soccer AM studios this week.
Barca were stunned by a late leveller, Gers' match was abandoned while Inter march on in Serie A.
Mark Stewart was the toast of the Falkirk faithful as his late equaliser stunned Celtic in what was a pulsating six-goal thriller.
The Edinburgh derby ended in stalemate as Rangers cut the gap on leaders Celtic with a win over St Mirren.
Aberdeen recorded a welcome win over an unlucky St Johnstone in an entertaining tussle at Pittodrie which ended 2-1.
Kris Boyd further underlined his value to Rangers on Saturday with a double in a 2-1 win over St Mirren.
Lukas Jutkiewicz scored a late equaliser as Motherwell were held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man Hamilton.