STEVE MACLEAN

Born: 23 August 1982

Came from: Cardiff City   Went to: Released

First game: 19 January 2008   Last game: 09 October 2010

Appearances: 53 (35/18)   Goals: 6

MacLean began his career at Glasgow Rangers and joined Scunthorpe United on a season-long loan in 2003-04. With no prospect of a first-team place at Rangers he moved to Sheffield Wednesday, scoring 20 goals in his first season and helping Paul Sturrock's team to victory in the play-off final. After Wednesday allowed his contract to expire he joined Cardiff City on a free transfer but an ankle ligament injury kept him out of the first-team. He then signed for Argyle for a club-record fee of £500,000 but could not live up to the huge price tag.

MacLean played only occasionally in his first two years at Home Park, a lack of goals and perceived laziness making him a target for often frustrated supporters. Amid rumours of a falling out with Sturrock, he was told in October 2009 that he was free to pursue a move to another club, which led to a trial with Hearts. This move did not materialise and it was another three months before he moved on loan to Aberdeen for the remainder of the season.

Back in the team under Peter Reid at the start of the 2010-11 campaign, MacLean soon fell out of favour again and moved to Oxford United on loan in November, extending the move until the end of the season two months later. He was released by Argyle at the end of his contract and during the following pre-season joined Yeovil Town on a twelve-month deal, where he scored three goals in 20 games before being loaned to play-off chasing Cheltenham Town for the remainder of the 2011-12 season. He played three times for the Gloucestershire club, with his only goal – as is almost obligatory – coming on this return to Home Park when Cheltenham won the last game of the campaign. Release by Yeovil, MacLean signed a short-term contract with Scottish Premier League club St Johnstone in September 2012, which was subsequently extended until 2014.