LUKE McCOWAN didn’t win a medal in his first eight years as a professional footballer.
Now the Celtic midfielder is just eight days away from picking up his second honour as he eyes a Scottish Cup badge to go with the Premiership winners’ reward he earned when the champions sealed the title at Tannadice almost three weeks ago.
It’s been a breathtaking and dramatic change of soccer fortunes since the 27-year-old former Ayr United and Dundee player joined his boyhood idols in a £1million switch on August deadline day.
McCowan may have been overshadowed on the evening he signed a five-tear deal as Arne Engels arrived as the Hoops’ record signing at £11million while defender Auston Trusty cost £6million from Sheffield United.
READY, STEADY, GO…Luke McCowan prepares to launch Celtic into a 3-1 lead at Pittodrie.
But the hard-working middle-of-the-park operator has thrust himself into the spotlight with some eye-catching performances and seven goals thrown in for good measure.
Addressing the somersault in his career, McCowan said: “If you had told me at the end of August I would have been in this position, I’d have laughed at you.
“When you come here, the pressures are put on you, but you either sink or swim. I’m a pretty good swimmer, so I don’t mind that.
“It’s been good. I just need to keep pushing myself. All the boys do the same. They push me to make me a better player.
“The more you play under the manager, you become a better player. I just need to keep going.”
McCowan prepared for Hampden a week tomorrow when he scored and set up two other goals in the Hoops’ 5-1 win over Aberdeen in the dress rehearsal at Pittodrie in midweek.
He was one of the players given the opportunity to shine with other such as Maik Nawrocki, Yang Hyun-jun and Johnny Kenny also starting the match.
The all-action middle man, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Before the game, the message was to go and show our strength as a squad.
THREE CHEERS…Luke McCowan celebrates his goal against Aberdeen with team-mates Anthony Ralston and James Forrest about to add their congratulations.
“It’s always healthy competition, but it’s always good to push the boys who have been starting.
“The boys who started the night have done us some justice.”
McCowan is already looking towards preparing for next season and added: “I’m buzzing for it. I’m already talking about it.
“Obviously, we’ve got two games left, but it’s something I didn’t get to do last year.
“I’m really excited to be with the boys right from the start and improve my fitness levels.
“But it’s another chance to grow for even more training sessions, bonding with the team, all sorts.
“I’m looking forward to it.”
