Livingston Dorrans came from the
Barlanark area of
Glasgow and spent a period of his youth training with
Scottish Premier League club
Rangers. He began his career at
Livingston,
West Bromwich Albion After some good performances for
Livingston during the
2007–08 season, Dorrans was approached by
West Bromwich Albion manager
Tony Mowbray. In January 2008, Dorrans agreed to join West Brom at the end of the season for £200,000. At the end of the 2007–08 season, Dorrans won the
Scottish First Division Players' Player of the Year award. In July his move to Albion was completed, but for an initial £100,000, which could possibly rise to £150,000 depending on appearances. He made his debut in the English
Premier League for
West Bromwich Albion on 21 December 2008, coming on as a second-half substitute against
Manchester City. Towards the end of the 2008–09 season, Dorrans signed an extended contract with West Brom. He scored a 30-yard free kick against
Preston North End on 21 March. Dorrans was then named PFA fans' Championship player of the month for March 2010, following his impressive performances. Dorrans finished the season as the club's top goal scorer, scoring a career best 13 goals in 45 league appearances, helping West Brom re-gain promotion to the Premier League. In
The Guardian on 20 March 2010, he was described as, "Composed, creative, combative, and consistent, Dorrans is easily the best all-round midfielder seen at West Brom since Bryan Robson." On 19 July 2010, Dorrans signed a new four-year deal with West Brom. The 2010-11 saw Dorrans score his first
Premier League goal in a 3–3 draw against
West Ham. He went on to make just 21 league appearances in the season. Dorrans featured more prominently in the 2011–12 season under
Roy Hodgson in his first full season in charge of West Brom, making 31 league appearances and scoring 3 goals, including a long-range free kick in a 1–0 win over
Queens Park Rangers in April 2012. Dorrans was made available for transfer by West Brom in January 2013, after he was left out of a matchday squad. He had a "difficult start" to the 2013–14 season, during which he made 16 appearances.
Norwich City In February 2015, Dorrans joined Norwich City on loan for a month, which was later extended until the end of the 2014–15 season. The move was made permanent on 27 May 2015, just a few days after Dorrans helped the side win promotion to the Premier League, via the Playoff Final.
Rangers On 6 July 2017, Dorrans moved from
Norwich City to
Rangers on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £1.3 million. He made his league debut for Rangers on 6 August 2017 and scored both goals in a 2–1 win over
Motherwell. Dorrans injured an ankle in a match against
Kilmarnock on 25 October, and the injury subsequently required surgery. On 2 September 2019, Dorrans was released from Rangers after an injury-plagued stint with the club.
Dundee Dorrans signed a one-year deal with
Dundee on 20 September 2019. He made his first appearance the next day as a substitute against
Morton, despite not yet having trained with his new teammates. He scored his first goal for Dundee on 27 December in the
Dundee derby against
Dundee United. Dorrans signed a new 18-month contract with the Dee on 22 January 2020, keeping him at the club until 2021. In November 2020, Dorrans enacted a clause in his new contract, allowing him to leave by mutual consent to join another team overseas.
Western Sydney Wanderers On 9 November 2020 Dorrans signed a two-year contract with the Wanderers who play in the Australian
A-League. He scored his first goal for the club with a 40-meter lob on
Adam Federici who was playing high up the pitch as a sweeper keeper following a Macarthur FC corner. Dorrans scored his second goal in the next match with a penalty against
Melbourne Victory. In July 2021, Dorrans left
Western Sydney Wanderers following one season in
Australia.
Dunfermline Athletic Following his release from
Western Sydney Wanderers, Dorrans returned to Scotland in July 2021 to sign with
Scottish Championship side
Dunfermline Athletic on a two-year deal. Dorrans scored his first goal for the
Pars in an away win against
Queen of the South in January 2022. On 2 September, Dorrans left the club by mutual consent.
Johnstone Burgh After nearly a full season away from playing, Dorrans signed for
West of Scotland Football League First Division club
Johnstone Burgh on 2 May 2023. ==International career==