After missing much of the early 2010/11 season McLaren returned to the first team on 22 August for the club's third league game of the season, the 3–1 away at Cowdenbeath. This was Queens' first league win of the season. He scored in his next game, the 4–1 League Cup win against Forfar Athletic on 25 August. His excellent form under Brannigan continued in his next game, the 3–0 home league win against Ross County. Collecting the ball at the halfway line, McLaren set off on a dribble and run before scooping the ball over the keeper's head to score.