McGuigan, who played as a wing half, played junior football with Bonnyrigg Rose Athletic, before turning professional in 1946 with Hamilton Academical.
After just one season in the Scottish Football League, McGuigan moved to England, playing in the Football League for Sunderland, Stockport County, Crewe Alexandra and Rochdale.
McGuigan made a total of 334 League appearances between 1946 and 1959, scoring 48 goals.
[2] After retiring as a player in 1959, McGuigan became a coach at former club Crewe Alexandra, before becoming manager in March 1960.
[3] After leaving Crewe in 1964, he later managed Grimsby Town, Chesterfield, Rotherham United and Stockport County.