McGowan began his senior career with Stenhousemuir, where he played a handful of games, before moving to Dundee.

McGowan failed to make a single appearance for Dundee, and subsequently joined Clyde.

player of the year and earned a call up to the Northern Ireland U21 squad, after discovering he was eligible to play for them.

On the last day of the season, and on McGowan's last game for the Lilywhites, on 5 November, he scored a goal from the halfway line against Derry City.

He trained with Rangers for four months before re-signing for Dundalk on 6 May 2010, helping them get to the second round of the 2010-11 Europa League.