[6] In the summer transfer window, he signed with Livingston at the end of that season although he still had one year left on his contract at Celtic.

[14] McGovern made a tribute to his MK Dons career, scoring a free-kick on his final appearance for the club in the Football League Cup second round against former rivals Sheffield United.

[17] But soon, under manager Maurice Malpas, McGovern featured on the substitute bench, although he regained his first team place.

From February, under new manager Danny Wilson, McGovern was dropped from the squad in favour of other midfielders and has been on the sideline since.

In the 2009–10 campaign, McGovern was a near every-present for the Robins under Danny Wilson, with forty-five appearances and has since regained his first team place.

[23] Later in the 2009–10 season, McGovern helped the club through to the 2009–10 play-off final and was awarded Swindon Away Supporters' (SAS) Player of the Year.

[30] In 2011–12 season, McGovern has been a near every-present for the Cumbrians under Manager Greg Abbott and made his debut, in the opening game of the season, in a 3–0 loss against Notts County[31] and scored his first goal, three days later, in the first round of the League Cup, in a 1–1 win over Oldham, which resulted going on penalties shoot-out, but won 4–2 in the shoot-out, which he converted the first penalty.

[39] On the other hand, McGovern expressed desire to resume his career in Scotland after a nine-year exile, playing in England.

[40] McGovern now owns and runs a tea shop in Scotland after failing to secure a contract for the 2013–14 football season.

[45] On 2 September 2015, it was announced that McGovern had signed for Scottish League Two side, Clyde following a short spell with Stirling Albion.

However, McGovern's own season ended early after picking up a knee injury in a 3–0 defeat to Berwick Rangers that ruled him out of action for an extended period.

McGovern returned to action the following season making a substitute appearance against his former team Ayr United in the Scottish Cup.