Brown gets McLaren back on track at Clyde

Published on Thursday 5 February 2009 23:14

CLYDE midfielder Willie McLaren, who has been named the Irn-Bru Phenomenal Player of the Month for January, has given credit to Broadwood manager John Brown for kick-starting his career.

McLaren burst on to the scene with Airdrie United as a teenager, only to lose his way after a serious head injury kept him out for six months, and a move to St Johnstone ended in disappointment as the player fell out of favour with Owen Coyle and disappeared, quite literally, from both team and club after going absent without permission.

A heart-to-heart with Brown before signing for Clyde has given McLaren fresh impetus. He said: "John Brown told me things straight and I like and respect that. He is a good guy, very strict with me but fair and I am enjoying being at Clyde.

"I have made a few mistakes in my career but I have grown up a lot recently and I still have ambition to play in a higher league.

"I am a bit of an off-the-cuff player and the fans seem to like that and I just love playing football again."

Stirling Albion's Allan Moore is the Manager of the Month for January. Albion defeated the top two sides in the Second Division, Raith Rovers and Ayr, as well as putting eight goals past Stranraer and winning at Brechin.