LUKE McCOWAN admits he may get “a little bit emotional” when the Premiership silverware is handed over after the final league game of the season.
The glittering prize will be presented to the champions following the encounter against St Mirren at a sold-out, pulsating Parkhead a fortnight on Saturday.
It’s the Hoops’ fourth flag in succession, their thirteenth championship in 14 years and their 55th crown in the club’s illustrious history.
It’s also McCowan’s first honour as a Celt after his August deadline-day arrival from Dundee.
IN CONTROL…Luke McCowan makes some points as Celtic seal the title at Tannadice.
The midfielder cost £1million and, at the age of 27, may have believed the opportunity of playing in the famous green-and-white hoops of his boyhood idols may have passed him by.
But McCowan was one of a late treble swoop from Brendan Rodgers and joined on the same day as £11million record purchase Arne Engels and £6million USA international centre-back Auston Trusty.
The Greenock-born middle-of-the-park performer was forced to sit out the Premier Sports League Cup triumph in December after playing in the tournament earlier in the season for his previous club.
However, McCowan was in the thick of it as Rodgers’ men sealed the latest title in the 5-0 victory over Dundee United at Tannadice on Saturday.
The player had been in among the Celtic fans at the same venue when Ange Postecoglou won the first of his two championships in a 1-1 draw on May 11 2022.
FLAG HAPPY…Luke McCowan (extreme left) celebrates with his triumphant Celtic team-mates after the 5-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice.
Reflecting on his first medal at the club, McCowan said: “It’s been amazing. It’s hard to really put into words, to be honest, and it’s still not really hit me.
“It was something we were working towards the full season, we knew that was the end goal, to get that done.
“After Saturday, it’s something I will remember forever. You just sort of keep going now, it’s about keeping on pushing and the next target’s coming along with the Cup at the end of the season.
“I think once the season’s over and you look back, winning the league is something really special.
“Trophy Day may be where I get a little bit emotional, I’ll have a wee hankie in the back pocket just in case.
“But I couldn’t put into words when that happened on Saturday. I was lucky enough to be able to do it at Tannadice, as well, as I was in the stand there in 2022 watching Ange Postecoglou’s team win it.
“And that full circle moment is amazing, I couldn’t even imagine being on the pitch and winning the league there.
“So, to work hard and get myself to that position was a credit to me, but also a big thanks to my family in helping me do it.”
CHAMPIONS…Luke McCowan (extreme left) savours the moment as he celebrates his first Celtic medal.
Reflecting on events on transfer deadline day, McCowan, speaking to Celtic TV, continued: “Sitting on August 30, I wouldn’t have told you that, even probably up until half-nine at night on August 31 I wouldn’t have said that was going to happen, either.
“I can’t even fathom that I’m in this position now. It’s just about being motivated to keep myself going and being a part of this squad, and making as big an impact as I can.
“It’s been a dream start.”
Next up, it’s Ibrox on Sunday and the Hoops go into the derby on the back of consecutive defeats against their city rivals.
McCowan, however, added: “I don’t really think it’s a point to prove, we’ve been the most consistent team in Scotland and that’s why we’ve won the league.
“It’s about the performance that’s coming along with that and showing that we are champions, whether that’s at Ibrox on Sunday or Hibs at home, or anybody, it’s about putting on performances.
“We’ve got targets in our season that we want to hit, we’ve got other records within the season that we want to break, so that’s the goal now and we just need to go and show that.”
