Welcome to Celtic Luke McCowan

Engels will be getting sold at the next available opportunity and I'll identify a suitable replacement from Dundee. You can understand why

 

McCowan. The new Barry Robson. Can see him scoring the winner in the semi against the Dons.

 

Luke McCowan insists Aberdeen are NOT yet genuine Premiership title contenders.

The Celtic playmaker reckons it’s too early in the campaign to describe any side as pretenders to the Parkhead throne right now. But he is well aware of the danger the Dons pose as the top two get set for their Parkhead showdown after the international break

Jimmy Thelin’s men are joint top of the table along with the Hoops after making it 13 wins on the spin to start the season. Celtic have also been flawless in the domestic game this term and the pair are also set to scrap it out in the Premier Sports Cup semi-finals next month. McCowan is looking forward to the clash a week on Saturday – but is not counting the Granite City men as contenders just yet. He said: “No. We’re are only seven games in so sadly I can’t say they are. But after seven games, there are no title contenders. They will be saying the same and will be taking it each game.



“We know we have a tough game coming up. It doesn’t matter who you are playing, it’s always going to be a tough game. And in this league if you treat it any differently you are going to get punished. It’s about being aware of that and having the same mentality going into every game.”

McCowan is counting down until the big game with the Dons and will be part of a Celtic select side heading to Ireland today to take on Sligo Rovers in a friendly. The 26-year-old has made an immediate impact at Parkhead following his deadline day move from Dundee – but he missed out on a place in Steve Clarke’s Scotland squad to face Croatia and Portugal this week.

McCowan admitted he’s not hanging by the phone at the moment. He said: “If it comes, it comes. I’m not really fussed about it. I’m at a club this size and it’s not my focus

If the Scotland manager picked up the phone and asked me to go, I’d happily go. Of course I’d love to represent my country.


The time is not there yet. Whether it comes with more years here and more minutes on the pitch, then so be it. But right now my full focus is getting in this team and being effective. I’ve been involved a lot already. It’s about showing you are as good as the player coming off and I know myself that I’m as good as the players that are starting.

“It’s about gaining the manager’s trust. That’s the big thing under a new manager, it’s about knowing I can do jobs in games. I’d like to think I’ve done that so far but it’s about doing it over and over again and having that consistency.”

“I wanted a seamless transition into the team. I know obviously more minutes to come but I’ve got a lot of time in my hands to do that. I know that the boys in the team and the coaches and staff and everybody in the club have been helping me do that



McCowan will be joined by first team stars such as Alex Valle for the Irish trip and it’s a chance to keep ticking over during the international break and impressing boss Brendan Rodgers, who will lead his side at the Showgrounds. McCowan is expecting a bumper crowd after being blown away by the backing against Borussia Dortmund last week.

He said: “I’ve never done a trip like this as a fan. That’s why it was an eye opener in Dortmund as I’d never done that either. It’s will be nice to see the fans and all the history before it. It’s a stadium I’ve never been to and it will be a good occasion for both clubs.”

 

I really really like him..

The pockets of space he takes up
His first touch
How comfortable he is on the ball
His bite
His ability to spot a pass

This isn't just on tonight's showing (where he was motm for me). It's been since he came in the door but he showed it all again just now. Unlucky no to score a couple..

 

I love that as a signing most of the support, including me, it was almost an afterthought check box ticked sorta signing.

Some that had clocked his talent raving about him, making some comparisons to younger Calmac I thought was mad that I can see now.

But everyone now, to a man in the support as far as I can see, * love him. These sorta signings, take me by surprise and make me attached to them rapidly, I * love it man. Hope he’s here for years, and goes from strength to strength.

 

We pulled the trigger to sign him at a perfect time, after we’d shelled out big money on others, if we done it soon as MOR left he’d have had the O’Riley replacement label and arrive here with fans not on board. He signed when we had shelled out money already, most people were thinking where would he fit in the team with our options and we had been linked to him that long it was clear the manager rated him and wanted him, regardless of buys he’d got like Engels and Bernardo. He’s put him on at times of the game to let him just go on and express himself as a player, Calmac saying to him he was here for a reason trust his talent him coming on against the Huns just after signing reflects the way Br see’s him and has used him I think. And he’s proven critical at times in the role he has. He’s both seen games out and been the impetus to change. I * love the *

 

Players like him are essential.

He's 5th choice but he knows his place. He's the fifth best midfielder in Scotland, 2nd best Scottish midfielder.

If you want to compare him and Barron, who the huns say are their best midfielder, it's not even a competition. Who would you want on the field? McCowan's is better in all aspects of his game and has made the jump from Dundee to Celtic effortlessly, which is rare as so many players that have been good in the top flight, have absolutely been consumed by the expectations.

It's refreshing to see someone so technical and close to McGregor's attributes being produced.

He will be invaluable.

 

Should get a call up soon is exactly the Player needed.

 

I'd maybe consider starting him vs Motherwell. We didn't get him on the ball too much but when we did, looked a bigger threat than Engels and Bernardo.

 

Should be starting before Engels right now. Not even a debate.

 

I would have no issue with him starting btw. I think he’s looked the most comfortable of all the new signings if I’m honest but I do know he’s not played as much as the others

 

Guy should be getting way more minutes than he is

 

I'd be starting him tbh

 

Thought he’d won us a pen at the end

 

I'd be starting him over Engels from what I've seen.. needs a start to prove himself

 

Did play very well when he came on, a natural smart footballer really. I mind noticing that about him with Dundee a few games this season how he flicks a ball on and passes sharp, has great awarness of whats going on around him and where people are that he makes a lot of first time passes and stuff that open things up.