Career
McLaughlin began his professional career with Celtic. He impressed as a youngster and made his league debut in November 1993 under then manager Lou Macari. He stayed at Celtic for another six years, with the bulk of his appearances made under Macari"s successor, Tommy Burns.
After a brief loan period with Airdrie, he left Celtic to join Dundee United on a free transfer.
He then had a two-year spell in England with Wigan Athletic, where he scored once in an LDV Vans Trophy tie against Oldham Athletic. In 2001 he returned to Scotland and joined Ayr United, where he scored once against Falkirk.
His next club was Street Johnstone, joining them in 2003, only to return to Queen of the South again after only a year. He finally ended his career at Stenhousemuir, scoring once against Elgin City, before retiring in 2008.
