 McMaster had to be given the kiss of life during a Scottish League Cup game against Rangers on 3 September 1980 after Willie Johnston stamped on his neck at Ibrox Stadium, and he was badly injured against Liverpool in the European Cup a month later, which kept him out of the game for a year.In 1987, he signed for his hometown club Morton before retiring to become assistant manager of the club, during which he developed several players including future Aberdeen manager Derek McInnes.He has since worked as a scout for Swansea City in the west of Scotland.