The final of Europe's premier club competition will be played at Murrayfield next season and MacDonald would love to be part of it in an Edinburgh shirt.

He is also eager to emulate the success enjoyed by his favourite football team, Manchester United, in the Champions League final against Chelsea.

The 22-year-old openside flanker spent his primary school years living in Manchester before moving back to his native Edinburgh at the age of seven.

MacDonald told Edinburgh's website: “The final was a very nerve-wracking game to watch as a Manchester United fan. It was more of a sense of relief than anything else when United won it.

“Obviously it would be absolutely perfect to be able to experience that same feeling with Edinburgh next year, especially with the final being played at Murrayfield.

“The European Cup is the biggest competition in Europe and that is the one you want to do your best in. If we managed to get through to the final at Murrayfield then it would be an amazing experience.

“It is a long route to get through to the final, but if could manage to get through to the knock-out stages then we could possibly cause a few surprises.”

Aside from watching the drama unfold in Moscow, MacDonald has been preparing tirelessly for the forthcoming Churchill Cup competition in Ontario where Scotland A face Canada and Argentina.