The Japanese wizard and the striker from Oz have long anticipated today's crunch match between their respective countries in the race for South Africa 2010 but with a vital Glasgow derby looming just a few short days later Scott McDonald thinks that the timing of this Asian qualifying group match could have been better. "I'm looking forward to having the chance to play in Yokohama." said McDonald "They get fantastic crowds and this one will be a sell-out because it's so important. I've already told Naka I want his shirt but this game could not have come at a worse time. The guys who do the fixture scheduling really know how to make it hard for us. It seems to be becoming a regular occurrence that , if it's not Rangers we're playing after a long trip for an international, then we are away to Inverness or Aberdeen but it's something I've had to get used to. It's a sacrifice you make because playing for your country is a massive honour."
This will be the Celtic striker's eleventh cap for the Australian international side and as players such as Mark Viduka reach the end of their career's the little forward is looking to become a mainstay of his national team in much the same way that he has become indispensible to Gordon Strachan's side lately "I've worked hard to try and get established in the Australian side," said Scott, "And the reward for performing for your club week in week out is getting the chance to play for your country. It's looking quite good for us to qualify for South Africa 2010. With that in mind, you don't want to burn any bridges by not making yourself available for internationals. Two go through from our group. And, as we currently sit on top of the table after winning our opening three games, we're pretty much favourites to qualify. Even if you don't finish in the automatic places, you get another bite at the cherry as the third-placed team plays the side who finish third in the other Asian group. Whoever wins that then plays New Zealand to see who goes to the Finals. So, if you don't go through, it is pretty much a travesty."
Scott McDonald
It was recently revealed that Scotland had made approaches to McDonald, who was born in Australia to Scottish parents, but that's all history now and Scott would rather look forward to the possibilities open to him as an Australian international "It's an exciting prospect, and we've got quite a good team at the moment and also a good manager." he said "Pim Verbeek is someone I get along with. We speak quite regularly. He takes an interest in me, and it's been fantastic from that point of view. I've learned quite a bit already from Pim, just as I have from Gordon Strachan. The most important thing for me is to do well for Celtic. If I'm doing that there should be no problem with the rest of it. So I've just got to keep the gaffer happy and keep getting the goals in Scotland."
His gaffer has stated recently that McDonald shouldn't try too hard to emulate last season's goalscoring achievements - he netted 31 - but rather he should concentrate on helping the team achieve success and Scott knows exactly what his boss means. "I can understand this. He just wants to make me a better player." said the Celtic number seven "That's the difference between being a good player and a very good player, seeing the right pass at times even as a striker. There are always things to improve in your game. But I always want to score goals, and that won't be taken out of me very easily."
Many of McDonald's goals in the Hoops have come courtesy of the sublime Shunsuke Nakamura and Scott knows how fortunate he's been to have such a talent as a team-mate. Whatever happens in today's match he's sure that Naka will be fit and ready for Sundays game against the huns "Naka is very good at how he copes with his recovery," said the Aussie striker. "But that's how he is. He's so professional in everything he does. The hours he puts in, not just on the training ground but in the gym, is so impressive. Even before training he's working on strength and conditioning. People don't get to see that side of him as he doesn't shout about it. But he's in there for an hour before we go out to train doing extra, like stretching." 
"He's a real gymnast. You should see him." continued McDonald, "He's got unbelievable abilities and is a phenomenal athlete. The guy is just so committed to everything he does and it has been a pleasure working with him. It's no secret he could be leaving us at the end of the season, and it will be a sad loss if we do lose him. But, while he's here, I'll certainly enjoy every day of playing and training alongside him."