Best-known for his time with Walsall, Rod McDonald was on trial with Exeter City in the summer of 1996. He later returned to the Football League with Chester.

Having played for Northwich Victoria, South Liverpool and Colne Dynamoes, he signed for Walsall in 1990 where he played 149 league games scoring on forty occasions until moving to Partick Thistle in 1995 for whom he featured in 41 league games (10 goals). 

Leaving Glasgow after a season, and now aged twenty-nine, he spent the 1996/97 pre-season with Exeter City in a bid to remain in the professional game. Proving unsuccessful, he moved into non-league football with Southport until November 1996 when he was given another Football League opportunity with Chester where he enjoyed 53 league outings scoring eleven times. 

He finished his career with Winsford United, Runcorn, Barrow and Droylsden.