McLaughlin, the Canberra Vikings' most prolific try-scorer last year and an ACT Brumbies squad member this year, played his last match for Canberra against Parramatta at Viking Park on Saturday.
New Zealand-raised McLaughlin, 25, said he'd happily wear the navy blue of his ancestral home if his form for Glasgow ever warranted Test selection.
"To represent the country my grandfather was from would be great and I know my grandmother would love it too. It's something I'd do in a heartbeat," he told the Canberra Times.
McLaughlin will leave Canberra in the next fortnight to take up a four-month trial contract running through the Celtic League. He will then be assessed by the Glasgow coaching staff and could potentially stay with the club for the Heineken Cup tournament.
The dynamic winger came to Canberra last year with few expectations of a rugby career after being told by his provincial coach in New Zealand he was too small for top-level rugby.
After impressing on the wing for Tuggeranong and then the Canberra Vikings, McLaughlin won a training contract with the Brumbies. McLaughlin said he would leave Canberra grateful for the opportunities given to him by ACT rugby. "Through being with the Brumbies I discovered what I could do and where I want to be. They've shown me what I can work on and if I do that I think I can play in the Heineken Cup."