McLaughlin, a defender, began his career at junior club Arthurlie before moving to Clyde in 1999.

On 7 October 2000 he scored his first senior football goal away to Alloa Athletic at the Recreation Park Alloa's home ground and only two weeks later he scored in a 2–2 draw against Ross County at Broadwood in the Scottish Football League First Division.

After McLaughlin's contract expired at Hamilton, he rejected a new deal and decided to join the team that he has supported since childhood, Greenock Morton.

[4] Since leaving Greenock Morton, McLaughlin says his departure left him "disappointed" because "Kenny Shiels said to me that I maybe wasn't going to play much.

[6] He scored his first goal for the club in a 5–1 win against Alloa Athletic on his third appearance.On 16 May 2014 McLaughlin signed a new one-year deal with the Sons.