 Born in Glasgow, McLachlan began his football career at Crosshill Amateurs before joining Celtic as a junior but stayed for only two weeks before joining Clyde.McLachlan joined Clyde and spent three years with the then Shawfield Stadium football club, interrupted by a short loan spell at King's Park Strollers.McLachlan, a speedy left winger, was then transferred in November 1925 for a fee of £2,000.