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Brian McLean
Brian McLean
from Wikipedia

Brian Stuart McLean[2] (born 28 February 1985) is a football manager and former player. He is at St. Cadoc's Y.C. as a first team coach. He was recently manager of Scottish League Two club Clyde.

Key Information

He began his career in Scotland as a youth and reserve player with Rangers before joining Motherwell in 2005, initially on loan. He then joined Falkirk in 2009 before joining Preston North End in England two years later. After returning to Scotland with Dundee United and then Ross County, he moved to DPMM FC in 2015 and won the S.League title in his first season. He then had a short spell at Hibernian and played in Iceland for ÍBV before returning for a second spell at DPMM FC in 2018. He returned to Scottish football at Dumbarton, where he spent the 2018–19 season, then signed for Greenock Morton in July 2019.

McLean played for the Scotland under-17 team before choosing to represent Northern Ireland, for whom he made one full international appearance in 2006. Due to an administrative error, however, he was subsequently declared ineligible to have switched his nationality, thus ending his international career.

Club career

[edit]

McLean was primarily a centre-back, but he could also play at full-back.[3] Born in Rutherglen, he started his career as a youth player with Queen's Park[4] before joining Rangers. However, a lack of first team opportunities led to him joining Motherwell on loan during the 2005–06 season.[5] During his loan spell, he won the Scottish Premier League Young Player of the Month award for March 2006.[6] Motherwell signed him on a permanent basis in April 2006 after he impressed during his loan spell.[7]

On 18 July 2008, he suffered significant damage to his knee in a tackle by Argentinian striker Diego Alejandro Ruíz during a pre-season friendly against CFR Cluj.[8] He resumed a first team place on 28 March 2009, in a 2–1 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

On 1 July 2009, he signed a two-year contract with Scottish Premier League side Falkirk.[9] He became Eddie May's first signing, but Falkirk were relegated to the First Division in 2010. McLean left Falkirk at the end of the 2010–11 season.[3]

McLean was signed by Football League One club Preston North End on a two-year contract, after a trial period, on 2 August 2011.[3] McLean scored his first goal for Preston North End against Notts County from a Paul Parry corner, heading in from about six yards out. He was transfer listed by the club in May 2012.[10]

He signed a two-year deal with Dundee United on 14 June 2012.[11] On 25 July 2013, it was announced McLean had left Dundee United by mutual consent; he later signed for Ross County on 30 July 2013.[12] He left Ross County at the end of the 2013–14 season.[13]

On 16 February 2015, McLean signed for DPMM FC, a Bruneian football team playing in Singapore's S.League.[14] He scored his first goal for the club against Hougang United on 4 April.[15] He won the S.League title in his first season, scoring in every competition that he played in.[16] He was released at the end of the 2016 season.

On 1 March 2017, McLean signed for Hibernian on a short-term contract.[17] He left the club when it expired at the end of the season two months later.[18]

After a spell in Iceland with ÍBV where he won the Icelandic Cup,[19] he made a return to DPMM FC of Brunei in February 2018.[20] He left the team once again after the season ended[21] and signed a short-term deal with Scottish League One side Dumbarton in March 2019.[22] He turned down the offer of a new deal with the club in May 2019.[23]

McLean signed a one-year contract with Greenock Morton in July 2019.[24] After three seasons with Morton, McLean played for Clyde during the 2022–23 season.[25]

International career

[edit]

Despite being born in Scotland, McLean was eligible to play for Northern Ireland through his family. However, he had previously appeared for Scotland U17s in a UEFA competition in 2002, and was required to state his change of allegiance prior to his 21st birthday. Unfortunately, due to an administration error[26] McLean was not registered before this deadline and is now ineligible to represent Northern Ireland,[27] effectively ending his international career. During his short international career McLean did not appear in any competitive games, although he was due to play in the European Under-21 Championship qualifying game against Liechtenstein before being ruled ineligible.

Coaching career

[edit]

Clyde

[edit]

McLean became a player-coach at Clyde during the 2022–23 season. He was then appointed as their new manager on 2 June 2023, replacing Jim Duffy.[25] Four months later, after a run of one win in 15 matches, McLean left the club with immediate effect. They were ninth in the league table at the time of his departure.[28]

Personal life

[edit]

He is the son of former Kilmarnock player Stuart McLean[29] and the brother of SFA referee Steven McLean.[30]

Career statistics

[edit]
As of 17 April 2021
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Rangers 2004–05[31] Scottish Premier League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2005–06[32] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Motherwell (loan) 2005–06[32] Scottish Premier League 30 3 1 0 3 0 0 0 34 3
Motherwell 2006–07[33] Scottish Premier League 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
2007–08[34] 9 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 11 1
2008–09[35] 12 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 12 2
Total 25 2 1 0 1 1 0 0 27 3
Falkirk 2009–10[36] Scottish Premier League 36 1 1 0 1 0 2[a] 0 40 1
2010–11[37] Scottish First Division 31 2 2 0 3 0 0 0 36 2
Total 67 3 3 0 4 0 2 0 76 3
Preston North End 2011–12[38] Football League One 16 1 0 0 1 0 1[b] 1 18 2
Dundee United 2012–13[39] Scottish Premier League 29 0 2 1 2 0 1[a] 0 34 1
Ross County 2013–14[40] Scottish Premiership 26 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 28 0
DPMM FC 2015[41] S.League 24 2 5 1 3 1 0 0 32 4
2016[41] 22 3 2 1 5 0 0 0 29 4
Total 46 5 7 2 8 1 0 0 61 8
Hibernian 2016–17[42] Scottish Championship 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
ÍBV 2017[41] Úrvalsdeild 10 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 12 1
DPMM FC 2018[41] Singapore Premier League 22 2 5 1 0 0 0 0 27 3
Dumbarton 2018–19[43] Scottish League One 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0
Greenock Morton 2019–20[44] Scottish Championship 11 1 1 0 3 0 1[c] 0 16 1
2020–21[45] 20 0 3 0 3 0 0 0 26 0
Total 31 1 4 0 6 0 1 0 42 1
Career total 311 18 26 4 26 2 5 1 368 25
  1. ^ a b Appearances in the UEFA Europa League
  2. ^ Appearance in the Football League Trophy
  3. ^ Appearance in the Scottish Challenge Cup

Managerial statistics

[edit]
As of match played 21 October 2023
Team From To Record
G W D L Win %
Clyde 2 June 2023 22 October 2023 15 1 3 11 006.67
Total 15 1 3 11 006.67

Honours

[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Brian Stuart McLean (born 28 February 1985) is a Scottish football coach and former professional player who played as a defender. He represented at senior international level, earning three caps. McLean began his career in the youth system at Rangers before moving to in 2005, where he made over 100 appearances. Subsequent clubs included , Dundee United, Hibernian, and Greenock Morton. After retiring as a player in 2023, he served as of Clyde from July to October 2023. As of October 2024, he is the assistant manager of St Cadoc's in the West of Scotland Football League.

Early life and background

Family and upbringing

Brian McLean was born on 28 February 1985 in Rutherglen, Scotland. He is the son of Stuart McLean, a former professional footballer who played over 500 games for Kilmarnock, establishing the family as deeply embedded in Scottish football circles. McLean also has a brother, Steven McLean, who is a prominent Scottish Football Association (SFA) referee, having officiated major finals including the Scottish Cup and League Cup. The siblings grew up discussing football regularly at family gatherings, reflecting the sport's central role in their household. McLean's family background provided him with early exposure to professional football through his father's career, fostering an environment immersed in the game from a young age. Additionally, family ties to granted him dual eligibility for international representation, despite his Scottish birth and youth caps for under-17s. This heritage later influenced his senior international opportunities, though ultimately limited his appearances for .

Youth football development

McLean, born in Rutherglen, Scotland, in 1985, joined the youth ranks at Rangers as a teenager and progressed through the club's academy system, where he established himself as a tall central defender. Standing at 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m), his early emphasized building physical presence and defensive solidity, attributes essential for his position as a centre-back capable of competing in senior football. Despite showing promise in reserve and youth matches, including participation in the 2002 Scottish Youth Cup-winning campaign, he was unable to secure a first-team place amid strong competition at the club. During this period, represented at the under-17 level, gaining international exposure in competitive youth fixtures that highlighted his potential. Hailing from a family with deep football connections—his father, , was a former professional with , and his brother Steven is a prominent referee— benefited from an environment steeped in the sport from a young age. In 2005, at age 20, McLean moved to on a season-long from Rangers, providing him with his first opportunity for regular senior exposure and marking the transition from youth development to professional pathways. His performances during the proved successful, leading to a permanent three-year contract with in 2006 after the club secured his transfer from Rangers.

Playing career

Early professional career

Brian McLean transitioned from the Rangers youth academy to his first senior professional opportunity with a season-long to in August 2005. He made his competitive debut for during the season, quickly adapting to the demands of full-time senior football as a versatile defender. Positioned primarily as a centre-back but also capable at right-back, featured in 30 league matches that season, contributing 3 goals—including his first senior strike in a 1–1 draw against Hearts on 26 November 2005—and establishing himself as a reliable option in defense amid the club's competitive schedule. Impressed by his performances, secured him permanently from Rangers in April 2006 on a three-year for an undisclosed fee, marking his first full professional deal outside the . Over the following seasons up to 2007, McLean continued to develop, playing in various competitions and totaling over 45 appearances across all fronts by the end of the 2006–07 campaign, solidifying his role in the team before further progression in . In 2009, McLean transferred to on a free two-year deal, where he became a key player in the , making over 60 appearances and adapting further to high-level demands as a mainstay in their backline.

Mid-career in Scotland

McLean joined on a free transfer from in June 2009, embarking on a two-year stint with the club in the and subsequent . During this period, he established himself as a reliable centre-back, making 67 appearances and scoring 3 goals across all competitions. In August 2011, McLean secured a two-year with Preston North End in England's League One, providing him with experience in competitive English football. He featured in 18 matches for the Lilywhites during the 2011-12 season, contributing to their playoff push before departing by mutual consent in June 2012. McLean returned to Scottish football later that summer, signing a two-year deal with Dundee United ahead of the 2012-13 campaign. Over the course of the season, he recorded 34 appearances and 1 goal, including starts in the third qualifying round ties against Dynamo , where United advanced before elimination in the play-off round. His consistent defensive performances bolstered the backline as Dundee United finished sixth in the and reached the semi-finals. McLean departed the club by mutual consent in July 2013. McLean then signed for Ross County on 30 July 2013 ahead of the 2013–14 Scottish Premiership season. He made 26 appearances with 0 goals, contributing to the team's defense before leaving at the end of the campaign in May 2014.

Overseas spells

In 2017, McLean signed with ÍBV Vestmannaeyjar of the Icelandic Úrvalsdeild, marking his first venture abroad after a brief stint with Hibernian earlier that year. He featured in 10 league matches and 2 cup ties, totaling 12 appearances and 1 goal, while adapting to the physical, high-tempo style of Icelandic football that contrasted with the tactical emphasis in Scotland. His contributions helped ÍBV win the Mjólkurbikarinn in 2017, defeating FH Hafnarfjörður 1–0 in the final on 12 August 2017, providing McLean with his first major trophy in senior football. This overseas debut highlighted the competitive differences, including shorter seasons and volcanic island logistics, though his prior experience in Scottish leagues aided his quick adjustment to the environment. Following a gap after his time at Ross County, McLean signed for Brunei DPMM FC on 16 February 2015, competing in the S.League. Over his first spell from 2015 to 2016, he made 46 appearances and scored 5 goals, playing a key role in DPMM's 2015 S.League title win—the club's first championship—featuring prominently as they finished atop the standings. The Bruneian side, owned and patronized by the Crown Prince , offered unique cultural immersion, including personal oversight from royalty who inquired about players' families and hosted events like birthday celebrations. Following his Icelandic success, McLean returned to Brunei in February 2018, rejoining the club and competing in the . Over his combined spells with DPMM, he amassed 90 appearances across all competitions, scoring 9 goals, with his 2018 stint yielding 23 outings and 2 goals amid the team's push for continental qualification. Adapting to Southeast Asian football presented distinct challenges for McLean, such as the steamy with temperatures exceeding 30°C and nighttime training sessions in 28–29°C , which required an adjustment period of four to five weeks. Extensive travel demands, including regular flights from to for 3–4 day match stays, added logistical strain compared to the more compact Scottish schedules. However, perks like complimentary accommodation, vehicles, family flight allowances, and extravagant title celebrations—such as raffles for cars and international trips attended by 30,000 fans—provided a luxurious counterbalance, underscoring the royal-backed lifestyle unique to DPMM. These experiences emphasized the blend of high-stakes competition and cultural novelty in Brunei's football scene.

Later career in lower leagues

Following his return from overseas commitments, McLean signed a short-term contract with club in March 2019, where he made 7 appearances before the end of the 2018–19 season. In July 2019, McLean joined Morton in the on a one-year deal, which was extended for two additional seasons. Over his three-year stint with Morton, he featured in 54 matches, providing defensive stability in the second tier while drawing on the versatility honed during his earlier spells abroad. McLean signed with Clyde in League Two in July 2022, initially as a defender before being appointed player-captain for the 2022–23 season. He made 31 appearances that campaign, contributing leadership to the squad in Scotland's fourth tier. McLean retired as a player on 1 July 2023 at age 38, concluding a professional career that spanned over two decades, and immediately transitioned into full-time coaching roles.

International career

Youth representations

McLean earned his first youth international caps with at the under-17 level in 2002, during the qualifiers. Born in , , McLean was eligible to represent through his Northern Irish grandparents. He switched allegiance in 2005 and played for the Northern Ireland under-21 team, making his debut against . McLean represented both and [Northern Ireland](/page/Northern Ireland) at youth international levels, primarily in defensive roles.

Senior appearances and eligibility issues

McLean earned his sole senior cap for on 1 March 2006, when he came on as a substitute for Craigan in a 1–0 friendly victory over at . Born in , McLean had previously represented that nation at under-17 level before switching allegiance to through the under-21 route, a transition that initially paved the way for his senior call-up under manager . However, McLean's international prospects were swiftly curtailed by a eligibility ruling later that year. The (IFA) failed to obtain written permission from prior to McLean's 21st birthday on 28 February 2006, a requirement under regulations for players who had competed for another association's youth teams. As a result, declared him ineligible for further appearances with , voiding any potential future involvement despite the single cap already earned against . The IFA lodged an informal plea with to reconsider the decision, with chief executive Howard Wells emphasizing that the oversight stemmed from unawareness of the specific paperwork stipulation, but the rejected the request in May 2006. expressed a strong desire to continue representing , but the ruling effectively ended his senior international career prematurely, leaving him with just one cap and no goals.

Coaching career

Academy and assistant roles

Following his retirement from professional playing at the end of the 2022–23 season, Brian obtained his A Licence in 2023, marking a key step in his transition to full-time coaching. Prior to fully retiring, began his coaching career in youth development by serving as an assistant coach in the from December 2022 to May 2023, where he contributed to the training and progression of the club's U18 players. This role allowed him to apply his extensive playing experience in defensive positioning to nurture young talents, emphasizing foundational skills and tactical awareness in a professional environment. Concurrently, during the latter part of the 2022–23 season at Clyde—where he had joined as a player and club in the summer of 2022—McLean took on a capacity, formally serving as assistant manager from January to June 2023 under Jim Duffy. In this dual role across 22 matches, he supported first-team operations while continuing to feature on the pitch, leveraging his leadership as to bridge playing and duties and facilitate a smooth handover in club responsibilities.

Head coaching at Clyde

Brian McLean was appointed head coach of on 2 June 2023, at the age of 38, following the departure of Jim Duffy from his role as director of football. Having joined the club as a player and captain the previous summer, McLean stepped up from a brief stint as assistant manager earlier that year, bringing his A Licence and experience from various coaching roles to lead the team into the 2023–24 cinch League Two campaign. Overseeing a squad rebuild, McLean focused on bolstering the defense and goalkeeping options during the summer , with key additions including Jack Leighfield from Albion Rovers and defender Logan Dunachie from Motherwell's youth setup, alongside re-signings of veterans such as Neil Parry, Peter Grant, and Barry Cuddihy. He implemented a 4-2-3-1 formation as his preferred tactical setup, emphasizing structured play from the back to support attacking transitions. In total, McLean managed 15 competitive matches across league and cup competitions, securing just 1 win, 3 draws, and 11 losses, which equated to an average of 0.40 points per match. Clyde endured a challenging start under McLean, recording no league victories in their first nine League Two fixtures—resulting in 6 defeats and 3 draws—leaving the team in ninth position and under threat of relegation from the bottom tier. Their sole win came in a 2–1 league victory over Elgin City on 23 September 2023, but overall form failed to improve, prompting the club to part ways with McLean by mutual consent on 22 October 2023. His tenure lasted approximately 0.39 years, marking a brief foray into professional head coaching management.

Current role at St Cadoc's

In October 2024, Brian McLean joined St Cadoc's Y.C. as assistant manager and first team coach. He brings a A Licence to the role, supporting his expertise in modern coaching methodologies. At St Cadoc's, which competes in the Premier Division, McLean's contributions center on player development and tactical preparation within a semi-professional environment. His approach emphasizes data-driven training, incorporating GPS tracking tools to monitor player performance and optimize conditioning, aligned with his ambassadorship for PlayerData. This focus aids in enhancing physical and technical skills for the squad, which blends experienced players with emerging talent from the club's youth pathways. McLean's role also involves mentoring young players transitioning to senior football, fostering long-term growth in the club's community-oriented setup. During the 2024–25 season, under his assistantship, St Cadoc's secured its first senior silverware by winning the Demolition Cup with an 8–2 victory over Forth Wanderers in the final. As of November 2025, McLean continues as assistant manager at St Cadoc's.

Personal life

Family connections in football

Brian McLean's father, , was a professional footballer who spent his entire career with , playing as a full-back from 1974 to 1990 and making over 500 appearances for the club. This deep involvement in Scottish football provided a strong familial link to the sport during Brian's formative years. Growing up in , Brian was exposed to the professional environment through his father's long tenure at a prominent club. McLean's brother, Steven McLean, has established himself as a prominent (SFA) referee, having joined the international list in 2010 and officiating high-profile matches, including the between and Inverness Caledonian Thistle. The sibling relationship added a unique dynamic to their respective roles in the game, as Steven once booked Brian during a Dundee United match in 2012 and humorously threatened to inform their mother about the incident. Steven's career has also drawn occasional scrutiny due to the family's connections, leading the SFA to occasionally bar him from officiating the club's matches to ensure impartiality. No other immediate family members are noted to have pursued careers in football. The McLean family's collective engagement with the sport, spanning playing and officiating, underscores a household steeped in football culture that likely shaped Brian's dedication and approach to the game.

Post-retirement interests

Following his from playing in July 2023, Brian McLean has expressed a sustained interest in global football cultures, shaped by his earlier stints abroad in and . During his two seasons with in Brunei's S-League (2015–2016 and 2018), McLean adapted to the region's intense heat, which required nighttime training sessions in 28–29°C conditions and took 4–5 weeks to acclimate, while frequent short trips to for matches—described as "a warmer New York"—exposed him to diverse Southeast Asian football environments. He highlighted the experience as life-enhancing, noting royal perks like attending the Crown Prince's birthday celebrations and winning the league in front of 30,000 fans, which broadened his cultural horizons and improved his outlook. In contrast, his brief 2017 spell with ÍBV in offered a more grounded to Nordic football, where he made 10 appearances and contributed to the team's Icelandic Cup victory, providing insights into European league contrasts without the extravagance of . These international journeys have fueled McLean's post-retirement reflections on and cultural in football, emphasizing how such exposures foster personal growth beyond the pitch. As an for PlayerData since December 2019, advocates for the integration of GPS tracking and player data in training to enhance conditioning and monitoring, drawing from his own career-long interest in sparked by early injuries. He promotes individual GPS units for athletes, underscoring their role in and peak physical preparation, and has demonstrated their application in real-world scenarios. McLean has not pursued major business ventures or media roles as of November 2025, instead prioritizing work-life balance with his family—including his oldest daughter, who was approaching two years old by the end of his Brunei tenure—which he credits for supporting his career transitions and post-retirement stability.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Brian McLean amassed over 400 club appearances during his professional career, spanning the (now ), , English League One, , and Icelandic Úrvalsdeild, among other competitions. According to comprehensive records, he recorded 436 appearances, 23 goals, and 20 assists in total across all clubs and competitions. His playing record reflects a solid defensive presence, with goal contributions concentrated during stints abroad where he occasionally advanced into attacking positions. The following table summarizes his appearances, goals, and assists by club, aggregating all competitions.
ClubAppearancesGoalsAssistsPrimary Leagues
5654
7623
Greenock Morton7216
90114
Clyde3800
Dundee United3412
Ross County2600
Preston North End1720English League One
ÍBV1010Icelandic Úrvalsdeild
Other clubs (e.g., , Hibernian)1703Various Scottish lower divisions
For seasonal highlights, McLean's goal output peaked during his time with in the , where he scored 7 goals across the 2015 and 2016 seasons combined, contributing to the team's league title in 2015. In , his most productive season came in 2005–06 on loan at , with 3 goals in 30 league appearances. Assists were more prominent later in his career at Morton, where he provided 6 over three seasons (2019–2022). The table below details goals and assists for select representative seasons across key clubs.
SeasonClubAppearancesGoalsAssistsCompetition Notes
2005–06Motherwell3031Scottish Premier League (loan)
2009–10Falkirk3600Scottish Premier League
2011–12Preston1720English League One & cups
2012–13Dundee Utd2902Scottish Premier League
2015DPMM FC2842Singapore Premier League
2016DPMM FC2531Singapore Premier League
2017ÍBV1010Icelandic Úrvalsdeild
2019–20Morton1801Scottish Championship
2022–23Clyde3400Scottish League One & cups

International statistics

Brian McLean represented both and at youth international level before switching allegiance, earning youth caps with no goals scored: appearances for the U17 team in UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying matches during 2002, and several appearances for the U21 team in friendly internationals during 2005. He made his only senior international appearance for in a friendly match, coming on as a substitute in the second half. Due to an administrative error regarding his prior youth appearances for in a competitive fixture, ruled him ineligible to continue representing after turning 21, preventing any further international caps.
DateOpponentCompetitionResultPosition
1 March 2006Friendly1–0 WinSubstitute (46')

Managerial statistics

As of match played 22 October 2023.
TeamFromToRecordGWDLWin %
Clyde2 June 202322 October 20231513116.67

Honours

DPMM FC

  • Singaporean S.League: 2015

ÍBV

  • Icelandic Cup: 2017

Individual

References

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