After falling behind to a strong Glasgow start and Troy Nathan's early score, Ulster soon turned the tables and were banging the door down for the fourth try as the Warriors clung on at Ravenhill.
The determination of his players was what pleased McLaughlin most but he maintained that, at this stage of the season, the result is far more valuable than the performance.
"It's our first game, at home, and we have to be happy," McLaughlin said.
"From our point of view we were happy to have the points and we're maybe disappointed that we didn't get the bonus.
"In the second half the conditions were appalling and [the bonus] just didn't materialise for us.
"If you were being critical, in the 22 we weren't precise enough and we probably let a couple of opportunities slip away by making the extra pass when it maybe wasn't on.
"But the guys were trying hard to play a fluid game of rugby on a difficult night so all credit to them.
"We're going to Aironi next Saturday after a good start and we're very positive."
63x46.png){kind=logo}