“It’s going to be a physical battle on Saturday night,” McDonald said today.
“They have some technically gifted players but they can certainly put themselves about.”

Both sides are using the game as preparation for upcoming tournaments: the Asian Cup for the Aussies and Copa America for Los Celeste.

“It’s going to be a great test and I’m really relishing the chance. This is my first opportunity to play back home in Australia against top quality opposition, if I can do well it puts some pressure on the likes of Mark [Viduka] and John [Aloisi],” added McDonald.

"But I do understand these guys have got a lot of experience and just to be in the squad at this point of time with these sorts of players is going to be a great experience for myself."

Socceroo coach Graham Arnold put his squad through their paces at Parramatta Stadium this morning and they were due to train at Telstra Stadium later tonight.

McDonald also vented his annoyance at reports he was set to miss the Asian Cup because it clashes with his new club Celtic’s pre-season.

“I know there’ve been reports here and in Scotland saying that I won’t be available for the Asian Cup. I don’t know where these stories came from,” the 23-year-old striker said today.

“These are totally untrue and I wouldn’t be here right now if I wasn’t in the mix for the Asian Cup.

“I’m here and if picked let’s see what happens. This was one of the things we spoke about with Gordon [Strachan] when I first signed.”

McDonald – who described signing for Strachan’s side as “a dream come true" after being "brainwashed" into supporting Celtic as a lad - landed in Sydney just over a day ago and is hoping to add to his three Socceroo caps this weekend.