[7] Later in the season, he helped the Cliftonhill side to promotion to the Second Division, beating former club Annan Athletic in the play-off final.

He made his competitive first-team debut for Motherwell against Clyde in the League Cup, scoring the final goal in a 4–0 win.

[9] On 18 October 2011, Lawless returned to Albion Rovers on an initial 28-day emergency loan, scoring on his second debut for the club in a 2–1 loss to Dumbarton.

[18] Having made a perfect start to the season, Lawless was awarded the August IRN-BRU SFL Phenomenal Young Player of the Month.

[20] On 19 January 2013, during a match between Thistle and Falkirk, he provided an assist for Conrad Balatoni to score the first goal before coming off in the 25th minute with a fractured cheekbone and after going under the knife, he was set to be out for a month,[21] however, Lawless made a quick recovery following the operation.

[23] On 21 June 2013, Partick Thistle rejected a five-figure sum transfer fee for Lawless from recently relegated Dutch club Willem ll.

On 14 May 2015, Lawless was accused of breaching Scottish Football Association rules concerning gambling on matches[31] and one week later was given a six-match ban, with four of those suspended until the end of the 2015–16 season.

[32] On 29 May 2015, he signed a new one-year contract extension with the Jags, keeping him at Firhill until the end of the 2015–16 Scottish Premiership season.

[41] On 27 December 2021, Lawless signed with Scottish Championship side Dunfermline Athletic, becoming eligible to play for the club from January 2022.