After a 1-0 defeat by Motherwell at Parkhead on April 5, Celtic slipped six points behind Rangers who had two games in hand.

During the game a vociferous section of the Celtic support turned on Gordon Strachan who had scarves thrown at him as he stood in the technical area.

However, the champions fought their way back in to the title race and 1-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice on Thursday night, thanks to a Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink goal, meant the former Coventry and Southampton manager became the first Celtic boss since legendary Jock Stein to win the title three times in a row.

McDonald insists Strachan's critics would be feeling foolish and he tipped his manager to stay on next season to build further on his achievements.

He said: "The supporters here are very passionate people and they were disappointed at that point in time and obviously showed their feelings.

"Maybe a few people are eating some humble pie right now.

"The players all came out and supported the gaffer and we know how lucky we are to have him here and long may that continue.

"If I had have said to you seven weeks ago that we would be sitting here (as champions) you would probably have laughed.

"The gaffer wasn't affected by it all. It's not the first time he has come under heavy criticism as a manager or when he was a player.

"When you come to a club like this, you have to deal with it. Those are just the pressures of playing in Glasgow.

"But he never stopped believing in his players. Over that period there weren't many changes made to the team.

"He had full belief and confidence in the players and not for one minute did that change and that is one of the reasons we won the title.

"There is no question in my mind that the manager will be here next season and I look forward to doing it all over again."

McDonald believes Strachan deserves to be compared to Stein, saying: "I think so and three titles in a row says so.

"This is my first title and it's very special for me but the others said it was the most memorable for them and one that they will be talking about 20 years down the line.

"Obviously we needed results to go our way but we stuck at, piled the pressure on and we stand as champions which is fantastic."

McDonald scored 31 goals in his first season since signing from Motherwell and the 24-year-old is confident he can reproduce that tally next season.

He said: "I don't think it was a special season.

"I have always had the belief in my ability to score goals and when you have good players like Aiden McGeady and Shunsuke Nakamura supplying the ball, and you are playing up front with Jan who has also set up a few this season as well, you always believe that you will score goals.

"It's been a great season for me personally but it would have meant nothing without the championship trophy.

"Hopefully there will be more goals to come next season - but let me just enjoy this season, we can worry about that later."

The Australian international revealed his season was far from over.

He said: "We have four World Cup qualifiers that takes me to the 22nd of June which is a busy schedule but this is why you play football.

"Coming to a massive club like Celtic has given me the opportunity to play on the international stage, which will hopefully improve me as a player."