 He was signed by Alex Ferguson for St Mirren after a tip off from Willie Thornton the ex-Rangers player and assistant manager.He made his debut for St Mirren on 26 April 1975 and soon became a first team regular, scoring 17 times in the 1976–77 season and helping the club win the Scottish First Division.His form attracted the attention of Bob Paisley and, in May 1979, McGarvey signed for Liverpool for £270,000.