Career
He had trouble with cannabis and cocaine and spent time in rehab before returning to football in June 2000. In 2009, to help others to avoid the pitfalls that he experienced, he established the Agricultural and Mechanical Training and Development organisation. He left Tannadice for English club Reading in 1999 and during his spell had a brief loan spell at Livingston.
On returning to Reading, he tested positive for cannabis and cocaine and admitted to alcoholism.
After spending time in rehabilitation, he returned to football in June 2000 when he was signed for Kilmarnock by the then manager Bobby Williamson. He left Kilmarnock in August 2003 after rejecting a new contract and returned to Dundee United.
He played for one season at Dundee United team, before being loaned to Partick Thistle and Greenock Morton before joining Morton permanently in 2005. After a season at Cappielow, he joined Dundee in July 2006.
In his side"s defeat at Clyde on 16 December 2006, McLaren was sent off for aiming a blow at a Clyde player, before getting a second red after striking another opponent on the way off the pitch.
Once into the dressing rooms he received his third red card for kicking a hole in the door of the referee"s room. As a consequence of his actions, Dundee decided to release him from his contract on 20 December 2006. In February 2007, McLaren signed for Ayr United on a part-time deal until the end of 2006-2007, scoring on his début a month later.
McLaren was released from Somerset Park in May 2008, and in August 2008 spent a few games on trial at Bathgate Thistle, before a short spell at Lesmahagow and a short trial at Pollok, whom he left on the back of yet another red card.
McLaren joined current club Petershill in 2009.