McQueen started his footballing career at St Mirren in 1970, but in 1972 was bought by Leeds for £30,000 to replace Jack Charlton.

McQueen scored three times during the club's European Cup campaign the following season, but was suspended for the final, which Leeds lost.

McQueen joined Seiko in Hong Kong for one season in 1985, before retiring and moving into coaching; in that capacity, he managed Airdrieonians and St Mirren for periods in the 1980s.

He soon had scouts from other clubs monitoring his progress and it was Leeds United who finally offered £30,000 (£500,000 today) in the 1972 close season, seeing him as a long-term replacement for the ageing Jack Charlton.

[7] Known for his heading, his 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm) stature and his stubborn attitude, McQueen played a significant role in the team's success.

He played in the 1979 FA Cup Final against Arsenal, scoring United's first of two goals in the 86th minute, but again finished on the losing side.

[11] Earlier that season he was also in the team defeated by Liverpool in the League Cup final,[12] in which he was used as a centre-forward because he was injured and United had already made their only permitted substitution.

[15][16] He achieved great success with Scotland in 1977, as he scored goals against Northern Ireland at Hampden then England at Wembley as the Scots won the British Home Championship[15][17] and later that year he helped the team qualify for the 1978 World Cup by beating Wales at Anfield.

[24] In October 2011, McQueen was diagnosed with laryngeal cancer and started treatment at the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough.