I WANT TO BE A SCOTT I WANT TO PLAY FOR SCOTLAND

AUSSIE striker Scott McDonald yesterday revealed he'd love to play for Scotland.

And last night national team boss Walter Smith hinted he would speak with the in-form Motherwell ace about turning out for his adopted homeland. McDonald's

parents are from Glasgow so he is eligible to play for Scotland despite having represented Australia at Under-23 level.

The Aussies are heading to the World Cup in Germany next year but so far there is little to suggest coach Guus Hiddink would move for the Fir Park favourite as a possible squad member.

A Future Squad match is arranged for a week on Tuesday when Poland visit Rugby Park and 22-year-old McDonald may be in line for an unexpected call-up.

Speaking to Record Sport he said: "Would I be interested? Of course I would.

"I would need to speak with the man himself and would certainly meet up with Walter Smith to see what he had to say - even if there was a chance Australia were going to call meup.

"To play international football is the highlight of any player's career so you would have to look at any chance you had to be at that level.

"Nothing has happened yet, of course,but we will see what comes out of this."

Scotland boss Smith will watch McDonald against Hearts at Fir Park today.

He said:"I will look at him because he's been doing well.

"I don't know his situation in terms of his willingness.I did read that he would consider playing for Scotland as well as Australia,so he is one we have been watching.

"And I'm going to watch Motherwell play Hearts at Fir Park this weekend"I haven't spoken with Terry Butcherabouthim.I just read his comments the other day andhehasbeendoingwell enough."

Smith would not reveal which other players could face the Poles,although Kilmarnock striker Kris Boyd is almost certain to get a game.

The Scotland manager's problem is that Rangers play Inter Milan on the same night and there is a full fixture list in the English lower leagues that week.

An added dilemma is that Aberdeen and Celtic clash at Pittodrie two days before the game,which would all but rule out players such as Stephen McManus.

The Scots boss would love to see Alex McLeish take Rangers into the secondphase of the Champions Leagueon the same night he is at Kilmarnock Smith said: "I think everyone involved in managementwould havebeen pleased for Alex last Wednesday night.

"He is now in a situation in which he could easily qualify for the second phase.

"Everyone would be delighted if that happened and he deserves it for all he has gone through in recent weeks.

"Rangers now play Inter Milan and it is a tremendous opportunity for Alex,the club and Scottish football in general if they qualify for the latter stages.

"It would be a terrific achievement to be the first to do that since the group stages were introduced

Taken from the Daily Record