Carswell has previously played for Motherwell, St Mirren, Dumbarton and Clyde, as well as Icelandic side Keflavík.

Born in Bellshill, and a product of the Fir Park club's youth system, Carswell starred in the Motherwell under-19 side that finished second behind Celtic in the 2009–10 Scottish Premier League under-19 season.

Carswell made his first team debut in the 0–0 draw against Hearts on 9 April 2011,[2] playing the full 90 minutes.

[12] He scored his first goal in senior football for the club, in his 151st game, with a free-kick winner in a Scottish Cup tie against Elgin City,[13] his next goal also came in a 1-0 success, as he rifled in a 'magnificent' 25 yard strike against Alloa Athletic in the Scottish Championship playoff final.

[22] Carswell scored the winning goal on his 200th appearance for the Sons, against Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic in September 2022.