Shearer, a right-back, played 423 times in all competitions for Rangers between 1955 and 1965,[4] including a run of 165 consecutive games.

[3] Despite this inauspicious start, Shearer won further caps against the Republic of Ireland (twice) and Czechoslovakia in World Cup qualifiers the following month, his final game being a 4–0 defeat in Bratislava.

[4][5] He also deputised as goalkeeper (at least) twice, by coincidence against Hearts at Tynecastle Park on both occasions, taking over from Norrie Martin in a League Cup fixture in 1958 which Hearts won 2–1,[6][7] and more impressively an 82-minute shift in place of the injured Billy Ritchie in a 3–1 Rangers victory in 1960.

[8] After leaving Rangers, Shearer moved to Dumfries club Queen of the South as player-coach in the era of players such as Allan Ball, Iain McChesney and Billy Collings.

He moved back to his hometown club Hamilton Academical and served as their manager, amongst other tasks.