Bantams Boss praises Scottish international as he ponders first start
MARK Hughes has dropped a strong hint that c is in line for a first City start tomorrow.
The former Scottish international played the full second half at Morecambe and his manager feels he is ready to go now.
McDonald has been hampered by a slight hamstring issue from the end of last season.
But the Bantams have been building up his game time and he is firmly in contention for the Valley Parade clash with Crewe.
Hughes said: “It’s good to have him up to speed. He had 45 plus extra-time last week, so he was up to 50-odd minutes.
“He could very easily do 60-75 minutes now. He’s been close to starting games.”
City improved marginally in a woeful display against the Shrimps when McDonald came on – although the 34-year-old was guilty of the foul for Morecambe’s third goal from the penalty spot.
But Hughes believes he possesses the quality to take the sting out of typically frantic League Two contests.
“Kev’s played at a level that allows him that benefit of being a good player,” he added.
“You look like you’ve got plenty of time on the ball because you understand what you need to do and who needs to run where.
“He showed it in his 45 minutes last weekend. He’s comfortable in possession and he’ll hold on to the ball and wait for people to make the right runs.
“Then he’ll release, rather than releasing quickly when people aren’t ready to receive. He has that ability because he’s played at a higher level.
“He understands about not having those transitions in possession and not giving the ball up cheaply.
“It’s all about making sure that you keep the ball until the picture becomes clearer.
“You can play a pass and then, all of a sudden, the obvious pass presents itself because people have moved in the right manner with the right timing and cleared the space.
“Kev sees those moments and recognises those angles that you need to have.”
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