SCOTT McDONALD bagged his 31st goal of the season yesterday afternoon as Celtic kept the heat on Rangers, but the little Aussie expects next season will be even harder for him.

Having enjoyed a debut season few expected, he believes he'll have to live up to the standards he has now set for himself at Parkhead.

He said: "I couldn't have wished for any more on a personal level, but winning the league would cap it all. It will be doubly hard next season because I'll have to do it again."

McDonald took pelters from his manager, team-mates and fans alike on Sunday when he rounded the keeper, but TWICE tried to shoot when there were other options open to him.

Afterwards, though, he was philosophical, saying: "Every good striker has that little selfish streak in them, although I got myself out of a hole today.

"I definitely should have cut it back to Mark Wilson when I went round the keeper and at 1-0 I was hoping it didn't come back to hurt us. I was glad that I redeemed myself.

"The goals are great, but they will mean a lot less to me if we don't win the title."

Celtic have to play the waiting game now as Rangers go full pelt in a bid for an historic Quadruple and McDonald will be watching the Ibrox side take on Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday night.

"We'll be ready for our next game," he said. "There'll be a lot at stake. Hopefully Rangers slip up and we'll have a chance of winning the league.

"Much will depend on how they react after the Uefa Cup Final and how that goes for them. I wish them all the best for that, but not in the league.

"In hindsight, we are kicking ourselves for that home defeat against Motherwell and I hope it just doesn't come down to that."