91Èȱ¬

Former Australia striker Scott McDonald has signed for Motherwell until the end of the season, eight years after leaving Fir Park for Celtic.

The 31-year-old, who scored 45 goals in 111 starts for the Steelmen between 2004 and 2007, was released by English Championship club Millwall in January.

McDonald, who joined Millwall from Middlesbrough in 2013, scored three goals in 26 appearances this season.

But, with six goals in 60 games, he was released by Lions manager Ian Holloway.

And he stressed that he should not be viewed as Motherwell's saviour, with Ian Baraclough's side without a win in eight games and having dropped to the bottom of the Scottish Premiership.

"Everyone has a big part of play as we try to climb up the table," said McDonald.

"With Stephen Pearson coming back fit, hopefully we can give everyone a lift, the supporters and players.

"I can't tell you if I will have that effect, but I hope we get off to a flying start and don't look back.

"It's not about the Scott McDonald show or the saviour is in town. I want to help the team win games and get the club back up the table and keep this club safe."

McDonald was close to moving to another club until Motherwell got in touch on Wednesday - and he flew up from London first thing on Thursday.

"I'm delighted to be back," he said. "It feels like coming home a wee bit.

"This place brought me a lot of success and happy memories and I'm looking to build on that.

"As soon as I found out Motherwell wanted me here, it was all I wanted to do to come back. Even my wife was badgering me to come back.

"It's 12 games and I'm not looking at anything beyond that.

"Motherwell wanted me and to feel wanted is a massive factor in coming here and wanting to play a role that will suit me.

"Some of the options I had were abroad and I don't feel my career is at that point yet. I feel I have much more to give in the British game."

McDonald, capped 26 times by his country, began his career with Gipplsand Falcons in his homeland and headed for England in 2000 when he switched from Cranbourne Comets to Southampton.

He subsequently played for Huddersfield Town and Bournemouth before joining Wimbledon, from whom he moved to Motherwell in 2004. He spent three successful years at Celtic, from 2007 to 2010.

McDonald earned the last of his Australia caps in a 3-1 defeat by Scotland in August 2012.