Australia would be perfect World Cup hosts says McDonald</p> <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'></p> LONDON (AFP) - Australia has the perfect credentials to host the 2018 World Cup, according to Socceroos striker Scott McDonald. The Australian Football Federation is set to join England, Russia, the United States, China and Mexico in the battle to stage football's biggest event in 11 years time. Celtic's McDonald is convinced Australia's success in putting on the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, the 2003 Rugby World Cup and the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne makes them leading contenders for the 2018 tournament. "If you look at our past history with whatever we've held our country has done a fantastic job," McDonald said. "I think the Olympics is still the best one ever held. "It would be great if we could get the World Cup in 2018. If that was the case I'm sure all the people back home would be excited, whether they are soccer fans or not, because they love their sport. "They will come to watch anything. They are very patriotic and proud to watch their country. Fingers crossed if we do put the bid in we get it." In the event of a successful bid, McDonald would be 34 by the time the World Cup gets to Australia, so he more concerned with cementing his place in the squad for the 2010 edition. The Melbourne-born star has made a big impact since his close-season move to Celtic, with the highlight October's winning goal against Champions League holders AC Milan. Now he wants to prove he can do the same for Australia - starting with Saturday's friendly against Nigeria in London. "It's been stop start for me. I've had a few problems with injuries so it's nice to finally be back here," he said. "It's a chance for me to show people back home what I can do. Obviously I've been doing well in Scotland and it would be nice to get a couple of goals for my country." McDonald revealed he turned down the chance to play for Scotland when he was approached by then-manager Berti Vogts, now in charge of Nigeria. "I know a bit about Berti Vogts. He was in charge of Scotland and tried to get me to play for them," McDonald said. "At the time I was still young and I was working hard at Motherwell. It was never at issue for me. I always wanted to play for Australia. "That's where I grew up and played right through the levels from under-17 to under-23. It was just a matter of getting my cap and thankfully it came."</div></p>
