He began his career as a trainee for Luton Town playing over 160 games over eight seasons. He left Luton to step up a Division for Sheffield Wednesday where he played 96 games and scored six goals. He was released however, by Chris Turner after relegation and subsequent failure to gain promotion to The Championship. He has since played for Rotherham United under Ronnie Moore and in the 2006–07 close season signed a two-year contract for Moore's new club Tranmere Rovers having been released by Rotherham. In his debut season at the centre of the Rovers midfield McLaren started 42 of Tranmere's 46 games in League One, and a further 43 the following season.
He is a central midfielder, with an excellent assist record, he got 13 during the 2007–08 season. This is mainly due to his excellent passing and set piece ability.
He turned down a new contract offer from Tranmere, and instead, on 1 July 2008, McLaren signed a two-year deal with League Two club Bradford City. He was one of four Bradford players to make his debut on the opening day of the 2008–09 season against Notts County, which Bradford won 2–1. His first goal for his new club came on 30 August 2008, with the opening goal of a 3–2 defeat to Aldershot Town. He was a regular in the Bradford side but missed a month of the season during February and March because of a calf injury, before being released at the end of the season. On the 10th July 2009 McLaren rejoined Tranmere on a two year contract. He scored his first Tranmere goal upon his return when he scored at home to Grimsby in a first round Carling Cup tie on 11th August 2009.