The Australian's eighth goal of the season came after the break when he latched on to a Georgios Samaras flick before cleverly turning Kirk Broadfoot and volleying high past Allan McGregor from around 14 yards out.

It was Rangers' first home defeat of 2008 and it put the Parkhead side firmly on course for their fourth title in succession.

The Celtic boss was clear as to the level of praise he felt his diminutive match-winner was due.

"I thought he (McDonald) was phenomenal today", Strachan said.

"Samaras got better as the game went on and together they produced a fantastic goal.

"I think both sides would agree it's best to lose a game to a brilliant goal than a horrible mistake.

"Scott has always been a good team player, he just hasn't had a settled partner this season, that has been the problem.

"We have been chopping and changing all season and that has been a problem not only for him, but for us.

"It would be nice if he could get a settled run with somebody in attack.

"Scott is picking himself at the moment, we need somebody else to do the same."

Rangers striker Kris Boyd had two chances to add to his 18 goals this season, the best coming after the break when he blasted a shot straight at Artur Boruc.

Strachan reiterated the value of the Poland international but admitted his keeper had been well protected for most of the afternoon.

He said: "It was good goalkeeping and it definitely helps the lads around him when they see that we have a goalkeeper in form.

"Artur had one save to make and Allan (McGregor) maybe had two so there wasn't much going on.

"It wasn't a classic game in the first half, it was huff and puff football.

"I felt we had more to offer in the second half, it wasn't easy to up it on a technical level but we got better.

"We kept mistakes to a minimum at the back and did enough to keep ourselves level until we could get the chance."

Strachan refused to make anything of the seven-point gap his side have opened up.

"As I said to the players, we are playing for the moment and the moment is now," the Celtic boss said. "We are just enjoying beating Rangers. We are not looking any further than that."

Strachan revealed that midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura missed the game with a virus and defender Andreas Hinkel had to come off at the interval with a recurring rib injury.

The Celtic boss also confirmed, albeit obliquely, that Aiden McGeady will return to training on Monday.

McGeady was fined two weeks wages and suspended for a fortnight two weeks ago after a dressing room bust-up with Strachan following the 1-1 draw with Hearts at Parkhead.

When asked about McGeady returning, Strachan retorted: "Anybody that is not suspended will be in training next week."

McDonald was happy with the quality and importance of his strike - but would not go so far as to say it was the best goal of his career to date.

"It was very special to me, especially scoring it against your rivals at their home ground," he said.

"I don't know if it beats the one I scored against Manchester United in the Champions League, but I couldn't have hit it any better.

"Georgios got a great flick-on, I managed to roll the defender and it seemed like it was bouncing for ages.

"I had to wait for it to come down but I couldn't have hit it any better and it was great when it went in.

"But more importantly, it wasn't about me, it was about the team and the team performance was very good.

"We got what we came here for and we are very happy."