His best performance in a ranking event was at the 1984 World Snooker Championship, where he reached the last 48, where be defeated Gino Rigitano 10–7 and Mick Fisher, both 10–7, before being knocked out 3–10 by Joe Johnson. Gibson reached the final of the 1986 Scottish Professional Championship, losing 5–10 to Stephen Hendry after eliminating Eddie Sinclair and John Rea. He was included in the Scotland team for the 1987 World Cup, losing 0–2 against Steve Davis as his team lost 1–5 in the first round.