Former Celtic striker Scott McDonald launches managerial career in Australia

By Euan Davidson

August 26, 2021

Former Celtic striker and current 67 Hail Hail contributor Scott McDonald has landed his first managerial job, in his native Australia.

McDonald, who scored 59 times in the Green and White [Transfermarkt], has become head coach of Gold Coast Knights. The Queensland National Premier League outfit is where his son happens to play, too.

A fast, clinical striker in his time at Celtic, McDonald can often be found giving his take on club matters. The 25-times capped Socceroo spoke to us recently about the impact of Kyogo Furuhashi [67 Hail Hail].

Now making the natural move into management, McDonald expressed his gratitude for the opportunity. He said [Gold Coast Bulletin]:

“I’ve always had ambitions to get into coaching. I’ve always wanted to be a manager and this is an unbelievable role to take on first-up.

“My son is at the club as well so I have a vested interested in the club and they know that.”

McDonald has enjoyed stints at a few different Australian clubs since leaving Scotland. Western United, Ange Postecoglou’s former side Brisbane Roar and Western Sydney have each had him on their books.

Now, seemingly retiring from playing at 38, McDonald is young for a manager, but not lacking in determination or expertise.

A new generation of former Celtic players, including Scott McDonald, are taking steps into management

Not sure about you, but it fairly ages me to see players from Gordon Strachan’s era taking managerial jobs.

There’s Massimo Donati, who took a head coaching role in Serie C, for one. Gary Caldwell has already had a few managerial roles. Darren O’Dea and John Kennedy are, of course, in the Celtic set-up. Paul Hartley has had notable managerial stints. Of course, there’s Neil Lennon.

So, seeing McDonald follow that example is hardly surprising. Always an intelligent and insightful presence in punditry, the Australian’s reading of the game makes him well-equipped to take on such a role.

There’s also his big-game experience, and time working with top managers over the course of his career.

So, we wish him all the best, and we’re sure we’ll hear all about his new job when we next catch up with him!

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