Striker backed to deliver goal-den touch

Celtic midfielder Barry Robson has leapt to the defence of team-mate Scott McDonald following criticism of his form this season.

McDonald finished as last season SPL top scorer with 31 goals but has struggled to repeat his exploits in front of goal so far this season, finding the back of the net only three times in eight games.

But Robson has told the critics to lay off the Australian star and is backing the 25-year-old to rediscover his goalscoring touch.

"How can people give him stick when he scored 31 goals last time and this season has barely started?" Robson told the club's official website.

"He's a strong wee guy and he'll bang loads of goals in again.

"Big Samaras also scored again and he can be anything he wants to be when he gets going. It bears positively for the club because our strikers are firing on all cylinders."

Both players netted in Saturday's 4-0 win over Hamilton, a result which ultimately put Celtic top of the SPL going into the international break after Rangers' shock defeat at St Mirren on Sunday.