Chris Lakey Cody McDonald got a little over 20 minutes of action at the weekend - but even in that short space of time managed to make an impression. The whole reason Norwich were playing at the excellent Princes Park Stadium was because it was McDonald's hunting ground for three short months, during which time he evidently built up a big fan club, judging by the reception he received on Saturday.

Chris Lakey

Cody McDonald got a little over 20 minutes of action at the weekend - but even in that short space of time managed to make an impression.

The whole reason Norwich were playing at the excellent Princes Park Stadium was because it was McDonald's hunting ground for three short months, during which time he evidently built up a big fan club, judging by the reception he received on Saturday.

Five minutes later he'd earned City a penalty, and not long after set up Jamie Cureton for the goal of the game to make it 7-2.

The precision behind that pass was forgotten because of Cureton's sublime chipped finish, but it was the penalty which revealed a McDonald secret - he doesn't like taking spot kicks.

When his heels were clipped by Billy Burgess, Cureton picked up the ball, fired his effort straight at the keeper, but then slammed home the rebound - leaving fans wondering whether Cureton had pulled rank and deprived McDonald of a goal against his former team.

The truth is more simple.

“I must admit I'm not a great one for taking penalties,” laughed McDonald.

“If it had come to the case where everyone had pushed me forward I would have done it, but I'm not a great one for wanting to take pens. I never have been since a little boy so thankfully Curo took it for me.”

More pleasing was the way he earned the kick in the first place, jinking into the area and forcing the foul before he could get a shot away.

“He clipped me,” said McDonald. “I went down a bit easy some would maybe say, but it was striker's instinct I think.”

The second Cureton goal was of a vintage that McDonald aspires to.

“It was a great finish,” he said. “It just shows what he's all about - he's a great finisher and I'm sure he will play a massive part in Norwich's season.”

McDonald is likely to get longer to show his own skills this week in Scotland, having been in danger of missing his own homecoming.

“I've had a rough week,” he said. “Midweek I fell down with a bug and felt really rough later in the week. I managed to train yesterday and thankfully I managed to get 20 minutes today which yesterday I was a bit worried I wouldn't get, so it was good.

“Obviously it was down to the gaffer and I asked him if I could play and he was fine with it because I felt a lot better today, but obviously we have the season to think about - but I'm over it now.

“It's been great. It's a lovely place to come and play. I spent three months here before I signed for Norwich and I had great times here so coming back here is just exciting for me and for the boys as well, to see what it's like where I've come from and hopefully we can come back next year and do the same.

“I did pretty well when I was here and I thought I would get quite a nice ovation so it was good, I enjoyed it.”

Business becomes more serious in Scotland when McDonald will be aiming to prove he's worth a starting place - but Cureton and Chris Martin, who also scored a brace, won't make it easy.

“That's the first time I have seen Chrissy Martin play a game,” said McDonald.

“I hear he did well at Luton last year and now he's come back to Norwich and I'm sure he's going to do the same here and Curo - everyone knows what Curo is about, he's a goal scorer.”