Born in
Greenock, McWilliams began his career at
Greenock Morton. He worked his way through the youth system to the Under-19s and then was called up to the first team. On 15 August 2009, he made his professional debut in a game against
Dunfermline Athletic. McWilliams made his debut for Morton on 15 August 2009, against
Dunfermline Athletic after
Bryn Halliwell was injured in the warm-up. McWilliams was loaned to his old club,
Ayrshire junior side,
Largs Thistle towards the end of the
2009–10 season. After being released by Morton, on 30 July 2010, Ryan signed for
Ayr United on a 1-year deal as back up to
David Crawford. At the end of the
2010–11 season, McWilliams signed a one-year extension with Ayr, but left at the end of the
2011–12 season. McWilliams signed a one-year contract with the
Second Division outfit
Albion Rovers, then immediately after Rovers played against Morton in the
Challenge Cup he was loaned out to
East Stirlingshire on a 6-month deal, with his first game ironically to be against Morton. He asked to be released from his contract with Rovers in January 2013, after falling to third choice at the club. East Stirlingshire traveled to play
Rangers on 18 August 2012, where McWilliams earned the Man of the Match award after several point blank and double saves; these helped keep the score respectable as the Shire lost 5–1. He was recalled by Albion after an injury to Chris McCluskey. McWilliams also coached the goalkeepers at youth level for Morton. After his release by Albion Rovers, McWilliams returned to first club
Largs Thistle. After leaving Largs, he moved to
Greenock Juniors. After four seasons with his home club, Ryan signed a one-year deal with
South Lanarkshire outfit
Lesmahagow Juniors for season 2018–19. Ryan decided to leave Lesmahagow and signed a deal with Govan-based side
Benburb until the end of season 2018–2019. After narrowly missing out on the West Region Championship Ryan continued his stay at
Benburb until the summer of 2021 when he decided to leave due to injury. Ryan then moved on to newly formed West of Scotland Football League 4th division Paisley based side
St.Peters. Ryan played a handful of games during this season but due to injury they were limited. After a solitary season, Ryan decided to return to hometown club
Greenock Juniors. Ryan is now currently out on loan until Christmas at Ayrshire outfit
Saltcoats Victoria. Ryan then signed permanently with
Saltcoats Victoria until the end of the season. ==See also==