Luke McCowan

Jackie McNamara had a glittering Celtic career where trophies were concerned.

The former full-back lifted nine pieces of silverware for Celtic in his 10 years at the club and has a UEFA Cup runners’ up medal in his cabinet at home.


As a manager with the likes of Dundee United in the Scottish Premiership he also had a modicum of success where he took the Terrors to two cup finals.

Nowadays for the 51-year-old it is all about helping others achieve their own dreams as he works in the agency world with Consilium Sports and he has a number of recognisable names on his roster.

McNamara was the man responsible for making the Luke McCowan deal from Dundee to Celtic back in the summer happen and it was a dream switch for the Greenock-born midfielder who has shone at Celtic Park since arriving.

It was a deal McNamara claims almost did not happen as the agreement between both clubs was only struck late on on deadline day.

Jackie, McCowan and Celtic were all unconvinced that it may happen until it did. And McCowan joined Arne Engels as the last-minute signing that evening.

McNamara has now explained what went down that evening and revealed the details of the move.


We’ve been looking after Luke since he was at Ayr. It was good because I’d met him and took him to one of the Champions League games years ago and said, ‘You could play this level’,” McNamara said on Open Goal’s podcast

He went to Dundee and did well and then in the summer he moved. You see his wee face when he comes out, it’s brilliant.

“How close was Hibs? They were in for him but Celtic were wanting him as well. There was nothing done at the time, it was just all last minute. For him it was same as me as a wee boy at Dunfermline for Celtic in the last minute of the window.


His face coming out is just a dream come true for him. We thought it was off and then back on, all last minute and too rushed. Obviously they signed other ones on that day.

“He thought it was off and he was going back up to Dundee, then it was we need to turn the car and go to Celtic Park to sign and do medical.

“He’s a great boy and I’m delighted for him. That’s the good part of the job when they get a chance to go and do that, live their dream.”

 

I meant to post in his thread after Saturday as I thought he was excellent when he came on and much more like his early season performances.

I was critical of his recent performances after the Hibs game but I thought he was a big part of changing the game in our favour and was unlucky not to score with the effort that cracked the post.

Keep it up Luke!

 

Been absolutely superb since he's came on today

 

Pler

 

Was excellent today, thought both Engels and Hatate were a bit off it.

He won't start against the huns but I'd be starting him the game after.

 

I honestly thought he started off a bit off the pace. Certainly came on to a * of a game, though.

 

His assist and that bit of skill after were class.

 

Good assist

 

He definitely did take a wee bit of time to get in to it, struggled with the pace initially & got outmuscled a couple of times. Didn’t let it affect him though which was great to see.

 

Really deserves more game time, singing the Maeda song

 

Wouldn't surprise me if he came off the bench and scored against them next week.

 

This should be in the Yang thread mate.

 

I hope he gets a Scotland call up, deserves it

 

Thought he was great coming off the bench.

 

Played one loose pass i can think of but he's so tidy and composed in tight spaces love watching him

 

I know I know, this kinda topic has been done to death, but I can't help feel that if he was Luca from Genoa and not Luke fae Greenock, there would be more clamour for him starting games.

I have no evidence other than gut feeling

 

He literally couldn’t be doing much more, whenever he comes on he had a noticeable impact on the game. He’s just unfortunate we’re so strong in that area of the pitch because in other Celtic teams a player of his quality would be one of the first names on the team sheet.

 

Thought he was class again today when he came on.Very consistent which is hard too do constantly from the the bench all time,but he always has an impact.