The blood, sweat and tears that show what Celtic title means

The Herald Scotland

02-05-2025

The emotion he felt at clinching his first title as a Celtic player was written on his face during the on-field celebrations at Tannadice at the weekend, but that will be nothing, he feels, compared to the scenes when his family are able to join him on the Celtic Park pitch on the day the trophy is presented. The tears, then, will flow from those nearest and dearest to him.
(Image: Craig Foy - SNS Group) The sweat, as well as that expended by him as he fought his way up the ladder from East End United to Ayr United, Dundee and beyond, belonged to total strangers. The patrons, in fact, of the Waterfront Leisure Complex in his hometown of Greenock, where he worked from the crack of dawn in the early days of pursuing his dream.
'I think that's probably why I become emotional about it," McCowan said.
"Because at 19 and 20, 21, I was cleaning a sauna one day, cleaning people's sweat off a glass cabinet, and now six years later I'm becoming Champions of Scotland.
'It's a bit mental.'
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That is why he is determined to savour the good times that have now arrived with those who have supported him along the way, and those to come.
'I think the trophy day will be special,' he said.
'Getting my family at Parkhead and being able to get them on the pitch with us and with the trophy. I think that's really what it's all about is having the people around you.
'My fiancé especially, who's been with me since I was 17, knowing the struggles I went through and knowing the mental challenges it takes just to battle away every year.
'Then to go to Dundee and move away from home and go through all that, and then you're coming back to Glasgow or where you're from and coming back to play with your boyhood club - and also her club as well. It makes it a bit special.
'But that's why she's very special to me and that's why my family and everyone else are who stuck by me.
'When I see them holding the trophy with my medal around their neck, it'll be a brilliant moment. Me and my fiancé will probably be sitting and greeting on the pitch, but it'll be a nice moment.
'This time last year you're battling away in a top six fight. You're obviously delighted that you've got top six with Dundee, that's a massive occasion for the club.
'But then a year later you're becoming champions of that same league. It's scary and you need to actually relish it and not think about it too much.
(Image: Craig Foy - SNS Group) 'That's when I'll probably get emotional because I would have never got this far thinking about it. I would have never told you that would happen.'
In fact, McCowan thought his chance to join a club like Celtic had passed him by not so long ago.
'You'd have been motivated to get here, but as life goes on, as you know, it's always harder with the older you're getting,' he said.
'I probably thought maybe I missed my window to get here with the age I was at. I know 27 doesn't even seem old but it's just been amazing, an amazing season.'
It is clearly evident then that McCowan is not suffering from the same sort of 'success fatigue' that many outside the club seem to be feeling at another title win for Celtic, with a 13th Premiership crown in 14 seasons leading some to float the theory that the whole thing is becoming rather routine.
'It's people that aren't winning that can say that,' he said.
'So, it's as special as it's ever going to be. Especially if you've got a good few boys in there that it's their first time winning this league.
'You can probably see with the celebrations on Saturday after the game. Alright, aye, there's some guys in there like James Forrest who's won a lot, but if you asked him he would say it's always about the next one, about how special that will feel because it's the hard work you put in within the season.
'So no, I don't believe that. I think when you're playing in it, involved in it and putting the hard work to get it, it becomes special.'