born in whitburn, lambie played for his hometown junior team whitburn before signing for falkirk in 1958, where he turned professional and switched position from inside forward to full back. in august 1969 he joined st johnstone, where he played in the october 1969 scottish league cup final (1–0 loss to celtic) and took part in the perth-based club's first european campaign (reaching the third round of the 1971–72 uefa cup).