Scott McDonald

Early career

McDonald was born in Dandenong, and began his career at Doveton SC, before joining Cranbourne Soccer Club (known today as Casey Comets) and the Victorian Institute of Sport.

Gippsland Falcons

Aged just 15 years and 212 days, McDonald made his National Soccer League debut for the Gippsland Falcons in their 3–0 home loss to Wollongong Wolves on March 21, 1999. He came on as a 57th minute substitute for Robbie Puca. He made three appearances for the Falcons on loan from the Victorian Institute of Sport. He is the youngest senior player in the history of the Gippsland Falcons and the third youngest player to make their senior debut in Australian football history.

Southampton

McDonald started off as a trainee with Southampton in 2001 where he managed only three appearances (one first-team start and two as a substitute), being loaned to Huddersfield Town where again he had chances to play first team football. McDonald scored just once for Huddersfield, in a 2–1 defeat to Tranmere Rovers and AFC Bournemouth (scoring once against Shrewsbury). Upon reaching the end of his contract with Southampton he signed for Wimbledon on a rolling monthly contract. He had talks with Drogheda United in 2003 but failed to agree terms.

Motherwell

McDonald went on trial with Scottish Premier League club Dundee United, but failed to win a contract and instead signed for league rivals Motherwell in January 2004. After signing for Motherwell, McDonald…

Having represented Australia at under-17, under-20 and under-23 levels, McDonald made his international debut for Australia against Bahrain on 22 February 2006 in an Asian Cup qualifier. He played in the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship. McDonald was a starter in the Australia squad that started off qualification for the 2010 World Cup with a 3–0 win over Qatar in February, setting up a goal for Mark Bresciano. On 11 May 2010 McDonald was named by Australian coach Pim Verbeek in a provisional 31-man squad for the 2010 World Cup. On 25 May it was announced that he had been omitted from the final 23-man squad for the finals. McDonald's most recent appearance came on 15 August 2012 against Scotland coming on as a substitute in the second half, playing alongside fellow Middlesbrough teammate Rhys Williams. Australia went on to lose 3–1. He never scored for Australia during his international career. Before making his senior debut for Australia, McDonald was approached about playing for Scotland, and was eligible through his Scottish parents.

Gold Coast Knights

Shortly after turning 38 years old, McDonald started his coaching career with National Premier Leagues club Gold Coast Knights (the same team his son played for at the time), after being named their head coach on 26 August 2021. On 30 December 2021, during the FFA Cup round-of-16 match against Melbourne Victory, McDonald played as an emergency substitute, due to an injury to Cai Tipaldo; after extra-time, Victory gained a 2–1 win.

As of match played 20 April 2019