MacLean began his career at Rangers before joining Scunthorpe United on a season-long loan. He banged in an average of two goals every three games in his time with the Iron but returned to Ibrox to soon find himself transferred to Sheffield Wednesday for £125,000.

At Hillsborough, he scored 30 league goals in 60 starts before Cardiff pounced on his expiring contract to bring him to Ninian Park. Injury limited MacLean to few chances with the Bluebirds and when Robbie Fowler and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink arrived, he found himself down the pecking order.

He became Argyle's record signing when he joined from Championship rivals Cardiff City for £500,000. In the 2007-08 season, he bagged three goals for Argyle including a magically worked free kick in the 4-1 win against Colchester.

MacLean joined Aberdeen on loan along with Jim Paterson on Transfer Window deadline Day (1st Feb 2010).