Kevin McDonald could be forgiven for feeling a bit emotional if he makes his Dundee United debut at St Johnstone on Saturday.
It’s 19 months since McDonald played the final six minutes in Fulham’s a 2-0 English Championship play-off win Cardiff City.
That was to be the last time McDonald played football.
A few months on, he wondered if he’d ever play again.
This will be no ordinary game.
The United new boy has bravely battled back from kidney transplant after his brother Fraser proved the perfect match.
He now carries a piece of his brother everywhere he goes and Fraser will be with him at McDiarmid Park.
Now McDonald is dreaming of a Dundee United debut, 17 years after his first start for city rivals Dundee.
“It’s been a long journey back,” said McDonald. “It’s also an unbelievable experience to be given a kidney by my brother.
“Because of that and all I’ve gone through in the last few years I don’t know how I’ll feel when I play.
“I could be a bit emotional. I just don’t know.
🗣️"It's always a buzz to get back playing and that's why I wanted to do it…"
Kevin McDonald is on the bench for Dundee United tonight just 8 months after receiving a kidney transplant. pic.twitter.com/kp2ThTjN6S
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) February 1, 2022
“I’m hugely grateful to Dundee United for taking me on. They know the risks involved. I could break down just like that.
“I have got no doubts in my ability to perform but you never know how you will react physically.
“The kidney’s not the issue. It’s my decision to stop playing for 18 months.
“I’m 33 now and haven’t played for over a year and half.
“But considering I had fully intended retiring when this first happened, I’ve come a long way.”
Kevin McDonald: I’m so grateful to my brother for his kidney donation
McDonald’s career came to an abrupt standstill as he discovered bad bloods in a routine check.
Proposed moves to Nottingham Forest or China were halted as he sought a donor.
An initial kidney transplant was rejected by his body.
Then best friend Danny Millar was identified as a match after a Royal Mail blood-test mix-up almost put paid to his brother’s chances of becoming a donor.
But after both brothers underwent surgeon’s knife in one afternoon, the recovery started.
McDonald went into a three month isolation period with Fraser and wife Lucy.
🤞"If we can get a match – the person that ends up doing it – I'll owe my life to them."
Scotland & Fulham midfielder Kevin McDonald exclusively reveals he’s been playing for over a decade with kidney disease.
The 32-year-old now needs a transplant that could end his career. pic.twitter.com/jb1VR15XfO
— Sky Sports Scotland (@ScotlandSky) March 2, 2021
He lost 10 KGs and struggled with basic tasks, such as walking.
But after the birth of his daughter Leyla, McDonald has moved back to his hometown Carnoustie.
“The rejection part was the hardest part as you don’t know if it’s going to work,” added McDonald.
“It was a nasty rejection.
“They said they were so baffled how that happened when someone next to me, who was 85 years old, was in and out in three days from a random donor.
Kevin McDonald: The recovery
“I watched transplants on TV before to look into what they do and understand what was going on.
“My brother was only in for three days. He came in on the Friday and went down to get his kidney taken out.
“Then in the afternoon the kidney got put in me. He was there on Saturday and Sunday and left on Monday.
“He could hardly walk but was getting out of hospital.
“I asked: ‘Is that right?’ but was told that’s what normally happens.
“After the operation, I could not really do anything, especially in the first six weeks.
“Walking from my seat here to the tunnel area would leave me shattered.
“I lost around 10 KGs. I was weak but that has built back up over time and I’m now fully fit.”
McDonald ‘inspired’ by other sports stars
After 5 years at FFC, Kevin McDonald is leaving the club.
Very few goals will ever top this moment…pic.twitter.com/fc2QPkcxzu
— Fulhamish (@FulhamishPod) June 3, 2021
McDonald has absolutely no doubt that he has the ability to make a difference to United.
The midfielder has had a fantastic career.
He has played over 400 games at the highest level of English football – with the likes of Fulham, Wolves and Sheffield United.
He has also collected five Scotland caps.
McDonald reached out to several sports stars, including former Bolton star Ivan Klasnic about life after a kidney transplant.
Ex-Manchester United striker Andy Cole also got in touch after a similar experience.
'I just thought, 'I've got to do something'': Andy Cole's nephew Alexander Palmer tells #GMB why he decided to donate his kidney to the footballer pic.twitter.com/WRQIzUwC5q
— Good Morning Britain (@GMB) February 23, 2018
And McDonald is adamant he can still make a real impact on the pitch and extend his stay at Tannadice beyond this season.
“I am quite a strong person,” added McDonald. “I set my sights on something and go and get it.
“It was important to look at other kidney patients and what they did.
“I got a few numbers – not necessarily those who were like myself as footballers.
“But runners and stars performing well in their own field.
“I spoke to them about coming back. I was assured within six months they were back to it.
“This gave me the confidence I needed to make my return.
“First of all, it’s about playing again. That’s the reason why I’ve signed a few months’ contract.
“The last thing I want to do is go out there, play and look like a bag of s***e.
“I don’t think that’s what will happen because I feel good and the enthusiasm for it is still there.
“If I can get a few 90 minutes together then I’m confident I’ll play to a good level.
“It’s all about getting playing again. When I do play it will be like a second debut.”
