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The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
The blood, sweat and tears that show what Celtic title means
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.' Read more: 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.'
The National
30-04-2025
- Sport
- The National
The blood, sweat and tears that show what Celtic title means
His story of the fan who made it is one that has been well documented, and McCowan's journey resonates with the Celtic support. His popularity though is enhanced not only by his abilities as a player and his contribution to his team, but by the disarming honesty with which he talks about his route to where he always wanted to be. 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.' Read more: 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.'
Daily Mail
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Luke McCowan wants Celtic to show why they are champions at Ibrox on Sunday
Luke McCowan insists Celtic will go to Ibrox on Sunday more determined to show why they are champions once again than getting even with their Old Firm rivals. The Parkhead club clinched their 13th William Hill Premiership title in 14 seasons at the weekend with a crushing 5-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice and will complete the domestic treble if they beat Aberdeen in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park on May 24. Peculiarly, Rangers, who are 17 points behind the Hoops and whose title challenge ended long ago, have won the last two league games against Celtic ahead of the final Old Firm match of the season – 3-2 at Parkhead in March and a 3-0 win at Ibrox in January, which followed a 3-0 win for Brendan Rodgers ' men in the first league meeting last September. 🏆 CHAMPIONS AGAIN! Celtic are crowned Champions of Scotland for the fourth season in a row! Huge congratulations to Brendan Rodgers and the Bhoys 👏 #FOURItsAGrandOldTeam | #CelticFC 🍀🏆 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 26, 2025 McCowan, who signed from Dundee last summer to achieve a boyhood dream, was speaking at Celtic's Lennoxtown training complex where he was helping to publicise the club's Champions merchandise. 'I don't think it's really a point to prove,' said the 27-year-old midfielder, who most certainly does not expect a guard of honour at Ibrox. 'We are the most consistent team in Scotland, that's why we won the league. 'But I think it's just more about showing to ourselves that it's not about us winning the league last week, it's about each performance that's coming along with that and showing that we are champions, wherever we go, regardless of it being at Ibrox on Sunday, or Hibs at home, or anybody. 'It's about putting on performances and we've got targets in our season that we want hit. 'We've got other records within the season that we want to break, so that's the goal and we just need to go and show that. 'Ask anybody on the team our outwith those gates, your head-to-head against Rangers is always going to be important. 'It's about being consistent throughout your season. It's about showing that you're now champions, going into their patch and proving why you are and putting on a performance that shows that, so that's the kind of goal for Sunday. 'Everybody was disappointed in the last two results against Rangers. There was no hiding that, no getting away from it. 'I think that's what happens when you come to a club like this, especially Celtic. ☀️ Good morning, Champions. Some dreams end when you wake up. Luke's just became reality 🥹 #FOURItsAGrandOldTeam | #CelticFC 🍀🏆 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 27, 2025 'You're expected to win at this club and that's what we should be doing and hopefully come Sunday that's what we are doing.' On the thorny issue of a guard of honour at Ibrox for Celtic, which has reared its head intermittently over the years, when asked if he expected the gesture, McCowan said: 'No. No, not at all. 'But that's just how it is, isn't it? 'I don't know how it would be if it was on the other foot. 'We'll never really know I don't think, but we will wait and see what happens.'
North Wales Chronicle
26-04-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Celtic demolish Dundee United to clinch Premiership title
Nicolas Kuhn and substitute Adam Idah both hit doubles after Ryan Strain's 30th-minute own-goal kicked off the rout. Celtic had only needed a point but they wrapped up their fourth consecutive championship in similar fashion to last year, when a 5-0 win at Kilmarnock earned Brendan Rodgers the title in his first season back at Parkhead. This triumph moved the former Liverpool manager on to 11 major trophies as Celtic manager and set the champions up for a shot at their sixth treble in nine seasons, and Rodgers' third, when they face Aberdeen in the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup final next month. 🏆 CHAMPIONS AGAIN! Celtic are crowned Champions of Scotland for the fourth season in a row! Huge congratulations to Brendan Rodgers and the Bhoys 👏#FOURItsAGrandOldTeam | #CelticFC🍀🏆 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 26, 2025 It also saw substitute James Forrest write himself into the club record books with his 26th winners' medal, one more than Lisbon Lion Bobby Lennox. Celtic's 13th title in 14 years has been in little doubt since early in the season, with Rangers falling behind early on and Aberdeen collapsing in spectacular fashion after matching the champions' 31 points from the opening 11 games. The Hoops suffered their first defeat at Ibrox on January 2 but were still 13 points ahead and, despite another derby defeat, this win put them 18 clear ahead of Rangers' game against St Mirren later on Saturday. Rodgers had criticised his players for being too comfortable in their approach to a defeat against bottom club St Johnstone earlier this month but they have responded in emphatic fashion by hitting five goals in each of their following three matches. The Celtic manager brought Jota and Kuhn back in after two games on the bench while home boss Jim Goodwin dropped Declan Gallagher to the bench after it emerged the centre-back was not getting a new contract. United had the better of the early action. Ross Docherty headed over and Ruari Paton hit a weak effort straight at Viljami Sinisalo. Their momentum was interrupted by a protest from Celtic fans, who threw dozens of tangerines on the pitch while hitting out at the home club's ticket prices after they were charged up to £42. Celtic settled into the game and took the lead on the half-hour mark. Liam Scales headed an Arne Engels cross towards the back post and Strain turned into his own net under pressure from Jota. Paton had a chance to level but was denied again by Sinisalo just before Celtic doubled their lead in the 38th minute when Kuhn sent a cushioned volley high into the net after Daizen Maeda's cross beyond the back post. We're Glasgow Celtic! 📸💚#DUTDCEL | #CelticFC🍀 — Celtic Football Club (@CelticFC) April 26, 2025 Idah, who was on for the injured Jota, missed a good chance before Maeda had an effort saved by Jack Walton. But the Japanese attacker soon delivered his second assist when he cut back for Kuhn to finish from seven yards in first-half added time. It was Celtic's 100th goal of the league campaign. The half-time interval did little to disrupt the champions' flow. Idah headed home Alistair Johnston's cross from close range within two minutes of the restart. Callum McGregor drove forward and played in Idah for the fifth goal in the 58th minute as the Irish forward's finish beat Walton at his near post. Idah could not steer a difficult chance home and top goalscorer Maeda's flick lacked power as Celtic looked to add to their tally in a one-sided finale.
