MacDonald tips Swans for success under Monk
1st August
Bournemouth midfielder Shaun MacDonald is tipping the Swans for success next season after admitting the club will always hold a special place in his heart.
It was a case of friends reunited for the former Swans player on Friday night after a youthful Swansea side were defeated 3-1 by MacDonald's Bournemouth at the Goldsands Stadium.
After the Cherries took a 2-0 lead into the break through a brace from Marc Pugh, Brett Pitman added a third from the penalty spot before Jefferson Montero pulled one back for Monk's men with his first goal for the club.
For MacDonald, it was the first time the 26-year-old has featured against the Swans since leaving his hometown club three years ago.
"I always knew it was going to be a strange one, playing against a young Swansea team," admitted MacDonald.
"I grew up with some of them, so it's always good to see some of the lads and the staff again, especially Curt who is a legend back home.
"It was two teams that wanted to play football, and I think we both showed that tonight.
"It was a good game of possession football, but luckily for us we were a little bit more ruthless.
"Swansea didn't have their full strength squad, but it was still a test for us."
Since departing Swansea in August 2011, MacDonald has enjoyed a successful time with the Cherries, having helped them earn promotion from League One before just missing out on the Championship play-off spots last season.
Similarly, over the past three years, the Swans have continued to flourish by securing an 11th-placed finish in the club's debut Premier League campaign before following that up with a first major trophy via the Capital One Cup the next season.
And after another mid-table finish in the top-fligh last campaign, MacDonald is tipping the Swans for further success under Monk.
"I hope the Swans do as well as they possibly can," he added. "I always keep an eye out for their results.
"The club will always have a place in my heart and, with the squad that they have, it wouldn't surprise me if they finish high up the league next season."
