He went on trial with League One clubs Northampton Town, Brighton & Hove Albion and Scunthorpe United, signing for the latter on 30 August 2006 on a two-year contract. He made his debut two days later starting a 2–0 away victory over Gillingham, but due to a hamstring injury that kept him out of action for 10 months his last appearance of 2006–07 came in November. At the end of the season, McBreen was told by Scunthorpe manager Nigel Adkins that he was free to pursue a transfer to another club, despite having a year remaining on his contract.