He made his European debut on 25 August 2011 against Tottenham at White Hart Lane, conceding a penalty when he felled Harry Kane inside the box. He saved the resulting penalty; the first competitive penalty save of his career. On 27 January 2012 MacDonald signed a new two-year contract extending his stay until 2014, with the club having an option to extend for a further year. In late January with Kello excluded from the squad due to a contract dispute with his contract set to expire, MacDonald began an extended run in the side. He would help the club reach the Scottish Cup final; in the quarter-final replay he saved a Graham Carey penalty as his side defeated St Mirren 2–0, then in the final MacDonald started in goal as Hearts defeated Edinburgh rivals Hibernian 5–1.