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McDonald staying put, says agent

McDonald staying put, says agent

Published: Wednesday, 6 January 2010, 9:45AM

Celtic striker Scott McDonald has no desire to leave Parkhead, according to his agent.

Reports claim McDonald is wanted by Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan and Wigan manager Roberto Martinez, who both watched the 26-year-old Australian score in Sunday's Old Firm derby at Parkhead.

Tony Mowbray's desire to refresh his squad has led to speculation that Celtic may sell McDonald in January, but agent Lou Sticca claims the player is not keen on a move and he told the Evening Times: "I speak to Scott every day, and, as far as I am concerned, he wants to be at Celtic. I have also spoken regularly to Peter Lawwell, and he has told me that Celtic are happy with Scott."

He added: "If anything does happen, it will be Celtic telling Scott to leave, not Scott asking to go."

Sticca refuted claims that Mowbray and McDonald, who has hit 64 goals in 128 games since moving from Motherwell, had a fall-out before the visit of Rangers.

"What we are seeing here is the usual reaction in the media if a club's top scorer is not playing," said Sticca.

"Scott is doing the business for Celtic, as his goals show."

Strachan has been linked with a move for several Celtic players, including Barry Robson, Gary Caldwell, Willo Flood and Mark Wilson.

Flood and Wilson have found first-team chances limited under Mowbray while Celtic could accept a cash offer for Caldwell given that talks over extending the defender's contract beyond the summer hit an impasse months ago.

Strachan is a big admirer of Robson, who he signed from Dundee United for around £1million, but the Scotland midfielder has been an integral part of Mowbray's team in recent weeks.