Sligo , Ireland - 9 October 2024; Luke McCowan of Celtic during the mid-season friendly match between Sligo Rovers and Celtic FC at The Showgrounds in Sligo. (Photo By Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Celtic are back in action this weekend and few players will have the bit between their teeth more than Luke McCowan amid his excellent start to life at Parkhead.
Coming in from Dundee during the latter stages of the summer transfer window, the 26-year-old has impressed in Brendan Rodgers’ engine room, scoring twice in nine appearances for his boyhood club.
With his exciting showings at Celtic earning favour among the support, there have been calls for Luke McCowan to receive a maiden Scotland call-up. Should he continue to shine, it won’t be too long before Steve Clarke is forced into action.
Despite competition for places being rife in midfield, McCowan will fancy his chances of continuing what has become a remarkable rise to prominence from the Scottish lower leagues.
Earning every bit of acclaim, the Greenock-born man has now set out how Celtic plan to juggle their upcoming fixture schedule alongside outlining his personal aspirations.
Luke McCowan on Celtic’s exciting fixture schedule
Speaking during his involvement with Celtic’s Christmas Appeal on a visit to Loaves and Fishes food bank, McCowan highlighted that his side aren’t too fussed about the absence of a winter break as they believe there is enough quality in the squad to make a ‘right dent’ over the coming weeks.
He told Sky Sports: “I mean, I don’t need to speak for this team. Obviously, I’m just new to it, but it won’t be any different from before.
We’re used to Christmas, and the winter breaks that you get; we won’t get that this year, but the boys will be ready to go come Saturday, it’s a long schedule to come, but we’ve got a big enough squad and a good enough squad to make a right dent.”
Later, he touched on his own aspirations to break into the starting line-up, as he said: “It’s the flame, I think; you want to be a part of this team; you want to play for this club. At times, I’ve shown that it’s been good enough and I’ve been enough to play or whatever, but it’s about working as hard as I can to take my chance when it comes and help the team out when I can.”
Celtic gear up for intense run of matches
Feasibly, Celtic’s upcoming fixture run could build the foundation for where their prospects of claiming silverware lie this season, alongside whether European progression is a viable option.
Facing Heart of Midlothian at Tynecastle this weekend is as stiff a test as they come. At the same time, Club Brugge in the Champions League four days later is another clash that carries significant permutations.
Ross County at home, Aberdeen away and Hibernian all present their own unique challenges before a trip to take on Dinamo Zagreb, followed by the Premier Sports Cup final against Rangers hammer home the high-stakes environment the Bhoys will operate in ahead of the festive period.
Pressure makes diamonds, as they say. Celtic know what they need to do, the onus is now on Rodgers and company to deliver the goods.
