MX23RW : Sunday, December 15 06:14:36| >> :600:183989970:183989970:

McDonald comes out of retirement to sign for Partick Thistle

The former Celtic and Motherwell striker retired after last season and moved into punditry.

Partick Thistle have lured former Celtic and Australia striker Scott McDonald out of retirement in a bid to boost their battle against the Ladbrokes Championship drop.

The 35-year-old appeared to have hung up his boots after a stint at Dundee United last season.

On his official Twitter account profile, he even described himself as an "ex pro baller" and has instead spent the past six months concentrating on his new punditry career.

But the former Motherwell poacher has now been persuaded to return to action by his old Parkhead team-mate Gary Caldwell as the Jags boss plots a route to safety for his side.

McDonald, who hit 16 goals in 42 games for United last term, has signed a short-term deal until the end of the campaign.

Thistle currently sit bottom of the table, a point below nearest rivals Alloa, and McDonald could make his debut against the Wasps on Saturday when Caldwell's men travel to the Indodrill Stadium.

With leaders Ross County on Irn-Bru Cup semi-final duty against East Fife this weekend, Ayr can move level on points at the top if they can claim victory over Morton at Cappielow.

Third-placed Dundee United travel to Queen of the South, while Dunfermline host Inverness.

Pars boss Stevie Crawford is still waiting for his first win, five games on from replacing Allan Johnson.

The Fifers sit two points above the relegation zone but Crawford is refusing to worry.

He told the club's official website: "I'm convinced the quality is in there but it's just the confidence is a little bit down at the moment.

"To perform the way we did for 45 minutes against Ross County last week, though, hopefully that can give the boys some confidence to go on and start winning games."

ga('create', 'UA-72310761-1', 'auto', {'name': 'pacontentapi'});
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'referrer', location.origin);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension1', 'By Andy Newport, Press Association Sport');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension2', '44b163c2-e430-4963-9468-500699107100');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension3', 'paservice:sport,paservice:sport:club-news,paservice:sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension6', 'story');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension7', 'composite');
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension8', null);
ga('pacontentapi.set', 'dimension9', 'sport:football');
ga('pacontentapi.send', 'pageview', { 'location': location.href, 'page': (location.pathname + location.search + location.hash), 'title': 'McDonald comes out of retirement to sign for Partick Thistle'});

ID:350464: cacheID:350464:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4196:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
St Johnstone manager Tommy Wright pictured in January 2016
Read Next:
Wright insists St Johnstone's five-game losing run must be viewed in context
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Chiefs
@
Browns
6pm
Ravens
@
Giants
6pm
Jets
@
Jags
6pm
Cowboys
@
Panthers
6pm
Washington
@
Saints
6pm
Dolphins
@
Texans
6pm
Bengals
@
Titans
9.25pm
Colts
@
Broncos
9.25pm
Patriots
@
Cardinals
9.25pm
Buccaneers
@
Chargers
9.25pm
Steelers
@
Eagles
9.25pm
Bills
@
Lions
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City158342721627
6Aston Villa167452425-125
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Fulham166642422224
10Brentford157263128323
11Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
12Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton153661421-715
16Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!