Shaun MacDonald excited for "special" Liberty return

Former Swan Shaun MacDonald is looking forward to a "special" return to the Liberty Stadium when the Swans host Bournemouth in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday (3pm).

Four years on from leaving his hometown club, MacDonald is hoping to step out onto the Liberty pitch for the first time since departing the Swans in 2011. 

The 27-year-old, who hopes to feature for the Cherries on Saturday, has fond memories of his time with the Swans, having joined the club at the age of six before rising through the academy ranks and breaking into the first-team in 2005.

His six years as a member of the Swans senior squad saw him help the club win the Football League Trophy, lift the League One title and beat Reading in the Championship Play-Off final to book their spot in the Premier League.

And MacDonald is excited at the prospect of seeing some familiar faces this weekend.

"As a footballer, you always want to be involved, but this is a special game for me, going back to where I've grown up," said MacDonald. 

"I left in 2011, and I haven't been back there to play since - although I've watched a few games.

"It will be nice to see some old faces - there are still a lot of people that work at the club from when I was there. It will be lovely to see them and have a catch up.

"I have family and friends who support the club, while I keep in touch with a lot of people from Swansea, which will always be the case because its where I'm from.

"It will be a strange feeling, but it's one of those games where you need to stay professional to the club you're playing for. Hopefully we can go there and get a half decent result."

MacDonald, from Blaenymaes, who also spent time on loan at Yeovil during his time in SA1, has gone on to enjoy success with the Cherries, having helped them earn promotion from League One in 2013 before playing his part in last season's Championship-winning campaign.

And the midfielder is delighted that his return to the Liberty coincides with the two clubs' first-ever meeting in the Premier League.

"It makes me very happy," added MacDonald. "We both have similar backgrounds from struggling in the lower leagues where the fans have helped out along the way, and we both have made history since.

"When I was at Swansea we had some successful times. We shot up the leagues pretty quick, which is one of the reasons why I had to leave. I had to go and establish myself as a professional footballer.

"It brought me to Bournemouth and a similar thing has happened, in terms of going through the leagues.

"Before I left Swansea, I remember speaking to certain people like Alan Curtis, as well as a few other people at the club.

"Out of all the clubs that were interested in me, we all spoke about Bournemouth and how their football philosophy was similar, and that was the reason I decided to come here."

Meanwhile, MacDonald had words of praises for his former captain and now Swans boss Garry Monk.

And despite Swansea's recent dip in form, the Welsh international is expecting a tough test on Saturday.

"He was always very professional and committed to his job as a player, so I could always see him going on to become a manager," said MacDonald. "I for one am not surprised with how well he has done.

"They've had a few losses recently, but I'm sure they will turn it around because they have some great players. 

"It will be a tough game for us, but I believe we can go there and get a result."