Former Celtic striker Scott McDonald has reflected on the infamous brace he scored for Motherwell on the final day of the 2004/05 SPL season — goals that ultimately handed Rangers the league title and broke the hearts of Hoops supporters.
Celtic arrived at Fir Park on 22 May 2005 needing only a win to clinch the league. With six minutes left, they led 1-0 through Chris Sutton and looked on course for glory.
Celtics Craig Bellamy and Chris Sutton look dejected after Scott McDonald scores the second goal for Motherwell
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Ryan Browne
Livepic
What followed has gone down as one of the most dramatic collapses in Scottish football history. McDonald, a little-known 21-year-old forward at the time, struck twice in the closing minutes to flip the match on its head and send the title to Ibrox.
Reflecting on those goals two decades later, McDonald addressed the long-standing questions around his loyalties and professionalism, given his boyhood support for Celtic.
He said: (Sky Sports), “I hate that sort of question about acting professionally. I wasn’t a Celtic player — I was a Motherwell player. I had no association, apart from growing up supporting the club.
To question my integrity — or to ask me to question that integrity — is just absolute nonsense.”
McDonald’s two late goals that day are still painful for Celtic supporters. It was a dramatic end to the season and one that many fans have never forgotten.
Scott McDonald – Celtic celebrates his goal
Mandatory Credit: Action Images / Andrew Boyers
Just two years later, McDonald signed for Celtic and proved his quality. He scored 64 goals in 128 games between 2007 and 2010, becoming a key player under Gordon Strachan.
Even with everything he achieved at the Hoops, that day at Fir Park still stands out. It’s a reminder of how quickly things can change in football — one moment a title is within reach, the next it’s gone.
