Skippy: Koki Mizuno is the real deal
Last updated : 22 December 2008 By Mikbhoy
McDonald's worries that Falkirk might break away and steal the points were calmed when Samaras scored three minutes into the start of the second-half and he felt that there was only going to be one winner after that.
"I just didn't think it was going to happen" said the Aussie striker "It was a bit frustrating in the first-half. I missed a couple of chances, we missed quite a few in the first-half and you think to yourself is it going to be one of those days where you just can't put the ball in the back of the net and they're going to go up once and score."
"Thankfully enough, straight away in the second-half we get a chance and the big man [Samaras] puts it away and we're in the lead." he continued "But obviously at 1-0 the game is never over as we've seen so many times before and for Koki to show that kind of composure in his first start is the kind of quality we see week-in, week-out in training and I'm really happy for him now that he's getting his chance."
McDonald was a relieved man to get on the scoresheet after going eight games without hitting the back of the net but he insisted that his manager was not overly worried because of his overall contribution to the team. "I've not been concerned and neither has the manager," he said. "The goals will come again and if I can keep putting in performances like that, then hopefully they will. As we've seen today, I think the partnership between me and Sammy, now that we've had a run of games, is really starting to work now that we know each other. We know where each other is going to be now which is good. Sometimes we used to make the same runs, but now it's getting a lot better."
Skippy was absolutely delighted with the showing of Koki Mizuno on his first start for the club. "The two Japanese stars are, technically, the best footballers here." said McDonald "Koki has shown in training and in the reserves that he has been doing well but I think he was a bit disappointed yesterday that his partner in crime didn't let him get on free kicks, because he is good on dead-ball situations. But I'm sure there's going to be plenty more to come from him."
They may be similarly gifted on the field but McDonald said that the young Japanese player is a totally different character to his more shy and reserved compatriot "Koki is a bit younger than Naka and his English is quite good. He's also a bit of a joker in the changing room and he likes to have a laugh." said Scott "He's fitted in perfectly and I'm delighted for him. He got his chance and capped it off with a goal. The gaffer trusts him that much to bring him into a difficult game. He believes in his ability, as we all do."
