Latest news with #McCowan
Scottish Sun
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Celtic star admits Scotland national team call-up is a target and says ‘I'm sure at some point it WILL happen'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LUKE McCOWAN is living the dream at boyhood heroes Celtic. Now he's aiming to make a Scotland call-up a reality. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 5 Luke McCowan admits he is targeting a Scotland call-up Credit: Kenny Ramsay 5 The midfielder won the Scottish title in his debut season at Parkhead Credit: Kenny Ramsay 5 The ex-Dundee star says he's aiming to have a bigger role with the Hoops this term Credit: Kenny Ramsay The former Dundee midfielder achieved his career ambition just by signing for the club he's supported all his life. But McCowan, 27, is desperate for more, and would love to make the breakthrough into Steve Clarke's squad for the World Cup qualifiers. Asked if Scotland recognition was a target, he said: "Of course. "If it comes along, I'd be really honoured to go and put that top on and represent my country. "Just now, it's not happening. "But I'm sure that if I was to play well enough in the times ahead, it will hopefully come along for me. "Scotland is not something that I'm totally focused on. "I'm focused on Celtic, but if that was to come along, I would be absolutely delighted. "That's an aim for anybody playing at a club this size, to go and play for your national team. "It's outwith my control, I just need to keep doing what I have been doing, and if I can add numbers and more game time in the league this year, hopefully I'll get a chance. Nygren 'will be Hoops' best transfer this summer' plus Kuhn, Yamada latest | Celtic transfer special "You would always like to think that you have something to offer at Celtic, so why can't I do it with Scotland? "I'm sure at some point, if I was to keep the level I have been performing at here, it will happen. "And if it does, then I'll come out with open arms and be delighted with it." McCowan is right to believe he CAN break into the Scotland set-up soon. He's proved at the champions he's got the technical ability to cope with top-level football. If he can play regularly for gaffer Brendan Rodgers this season then Clarke must consider giving him a chance in a Dark Blue jersey. McCowan added: "I'm feeling great. "It's good to get a pre-season and just work on the parts of my game that I need to improve on. "Hopefully by the time the league comes round I'll have improved, and I can use that going into the season." After making the move from Dens Park last August, McCowan played his part in Celtic's title-winning season. But he's determined to improve in the months and years ahead and get even better. McCowan said: "Every day is a learning day, and you want to take as much information as you can when you're playing with guys like Cal McGregor, Jamesy Forrest, and all the leaders in that dressing room. 5 "I just need to hopefully become as much of a leader as I can this year and have another good season. "You can't just go into a changing room full of league winners and cup winners and act like one of them. "You need to learn that from those guys. "I learned last year, and it's about learning again this year and using it as much as I can and using the experience from last year. "I'm feeling good going into pre-season. "And I believe I can improve again, 100 per cent. "If you don't think like that, there's no point in continuing. "Every day is learning, I need to stay motivated and hope that this season could be even bigger than the one last year. "It's about repeating it and probably doing better than what I did last season. "It's about adding more numbers again and more creativity, whatever it may be. "I've always looked at my stats and used them as something to work on. "I've worked on it forever now, I've always done it and I believe that will continue this year. Aberdeen brutally troll EVERY Premiership rival with video including Celtic captain crying & Rangers TV's 'corrupt' clip "But it's about using the good of last year and then trying to improve the bits that maybe weren't so good for myself, and making them better for the season ahead." McCowan took time off in Italy and Spain during the summer break — but was soon back training hard. He added: "You rest for three or four days and then your mind just goes. "You need to get a bit of sweat on and try and get back in there. "I was on the treadmills and pitches, but then you get the feet up as well, so it's nice." McCowan has admitted he's been left gutted by the exit of close pal Greg Taylor who has joined Greek outfit PAOK. They would regularly hang out at each other's homes — with the Hoops ace revealing he failed in his attempts to keep the left-back at Celts. McCowan said: "There's an empty space in the changing room — and an empty space in my living room! "We were always round each other's houses. "The two of us are the exact same, and it's sad as we both would have loved to play beside each other longer. 5 "But where Greg's career's taken him is a credit to himself, he's a really amazing person. "His family has been over with him as well, and I'm sure they will have a fantastic lifestyle there. "Greece will be a nice place to visit on holiday at some point, so I'm sure I will. "I tried to convince Greg to stay, of course I did. "But football is always moving and always changing. "He'll go on to that challenge with an open mind, and I'm sure he'll do great there." Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
STV News
06-07-2025
- Sport
- STV News
Luke McCowan hopes his improvement at Celtic can lead to maiden Scotland call-up
Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan aims to take his game up a level this season and finally force his way into the Scotland squad. The 27-year-old earned a move to Parkhead last summer after excelling for Dundee and has been touted for international recognition in recent seasons. Despite featuring in 41 matches for the Scottish champions last term, McCowan has yet to be called up by Steve Clarke. 'Of course, if it comes along, I'd be absolutely honoured to go and put that top on and represent my country,' he said. 'Just now, it's not happening. But if I play well enough in the times ahead, I'm sure it'll hopefully come along. 'Listen, it's not something that I'm totally focused on, I'm focused on Celtic, but if that was to come along, I'd be absolutely delighted.' McCowan believes a Scotland call-up is well within his grasp if he can build on his first season at Celtic. 'It's an aim for anybody playing at a club this size, to go and play for your national team,' he said. 'I just need to keep doing what I have been doing and I if I can add numbers and more game time in the league this year, hopefully it'll come around. 'I have something to offer at Celtic, so why can't I do it with Scotland? I'm sure at some point, if I was to keep the level I have been doing here, it'll come along. And if it does, then I'll come out with open arms and be delighted with it.' McCowan, who started 14 games for Celtic last term, is confident he can show further improvement in his game and feature more prominently in the season ahead. 'If you don't think like that, there's no point in continuing,' he said. 'I just need to keep learning. I need to keep doing it and hope that this season can be even bigger than the one last year. 'It's about repeating it and probably doing better than what I did again. Adding more numbers again and more creativity, whatever it may be. 'It's about using the good of last year and then trying to improve the bits that maybe weren't so good for myself and getting them better for the season ahead.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
North Wales Chronicle
06-07-2025
- Sport
- North Wales Chronicle
Luke McCowan hopes his improvement at Celtic can lead to maiden Scotland call-up
The 27-year-old earned a move to Parkhead last summer after excelling for Dundee and has been touted for international recognition in recent seasons. Despite featuring in 41 matches for the Scottish champions last term, McCowan has yet to be called up by Steve Clarke. 'Of course, if it comes along, I'd be absolutely honoured to go and put that top on and represent my country,' he said. 'Just now, it's not happening. But if I play well enough in the times ahead, I'm sure it'll hopefully come along. 'Listen, it's not something that I'm totally focused on, I'm focused on Celtic, but if that was to come along, I'd be absolutely delighted.' McCowan believes a Scotland call-up is well within his grasp if he can build on his first season at Celtic. 'It's an aim for anybody playing at a club this size, to go and play for your national team,' he said. 'I just need to keep doing what I have been doing and I if I can add numbers and more game time in the league this year, hopefully it'll come around. 'I have something to offer at Celtic, so why can't I do it with Scotland? I'm sure at some point, if I was to keep the level I have been doing here, it'll come along. And if it does, then I'll come out with open arms and be delighted with it.' McCowan, who started 14 games for Celtic last term, is confident he can show further improvement in his game and feature more prominently in the season ahead. 'If you don't think like that, there's no point in continuing,' he said. 'I just need to keep learning. I need to keep doing it and hope that this season can be even bigger than the one last year. 'It's about repeating it and probably doing better than what I did again. Adding more numbers again and more creativity, whatever it may be. 'It's about using the good of last year and then trying to improve the bits that maybe weren't so good for myself and getting them better for the season ahead.'
Rhyl Journal
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Rhyl Journal
Luke McCowan hopes his improvement at Celtic can lead to maiden Scotland call-up
The 27-year-old earned a move to Parkhead last summer after excelling for Dundee and has been touted for international recognition in recent seasons. Despite featuring in 41 matches for the Scottish champions last term, McCowan has yet to be called up by Steve Clarke. 'Of course, if it comes along, I'd be absolutely honoured to go and put that top on and represent my country,' he said. 'Just now, it's not happening. But if I play well enough in the times ahead, I'm sure it'll hopefully come along. 'Listen, it's not something that I'm totally focused on, I'm focused on Celtic, but if that was to come along, I'd be absolutely delighted.' McCowan believes a Scotland call-up is well within his grasp if he can build on his first season at Celtic. 'It's an aim for anybody playing at a club this size, to go and play for your national team,' he said. 'I just need to keep doing what I have been doing and I if I can add numbers and more game time in the league this year, hopefully it'll come around. 'I have something to offer at Celtic, so why can't I do it with Scotland? I'm sure at some point, if I was to keep the level I have been doing here, it'll come along. And if it does, then I'll come out with open arms and be delighted with it.' McCowan, who started 14 games for Celtic last term, is confident he can show further improvement in his game and feature more prominently in the season ahead. 'If you don't think like that, there's no point in continuing,' he said. 'I just need to keep learning. I need to keep doing it and hope that this season can be even bigger than the one last year. 'It's about repeating it and probably doing better than what I did again. Adding more numbers again and more creativity, whatever it may be. 'It's about using the good of last year and then trying to improve the bits that maybe weren't so good for myself and getting them better for the season ahead.'
South Wales Guardian
06-07-2025
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Luke McCowan hopes his improvement at Celtic can lead to maiden Scotland call-up
The 27-year-old earned a move to Parkhead last summer after excelling for Dundee and has been touted for international recognition in recent seasons. Despite featuring in 41 matches for the Scottish champions last term, McCowan has yet to be called up by Steve Clarke. 'Of course, if it comes along, I'd be absolutely honoured to go and put that top on and represent my country,' he said. 'Just now, it's not happening. But if I play well enough in the times ahead, I'm sure it'll hopefully come along. 'Listen, it's not something that I'm totally focused on, I'm focused on Celtic, but if that was to come along, I'd be absolutely delighted.' McCowan believes a Scotland call-up is well within his grasp if he can build on his first season at Celtic. 'It's an aim for anybody playing at a club this size, to go and play for your national team,' he said. 'I just need to keep doing what I have been doing and I if I can add numbers and more game time in the league this year, hopefully it'll come around. 'I have something to offer at Celtic, so why can't I do it with Scotland? I'm sure at some point, if I was to keep the level I have been doing here, it'll come along. And if it does, then I'll come out with open arms and be delighted with it.' McCowan, who started 14 games for Celtic last term, is confident he can show further improvement in his game and feature more prominently in the season ahead. 'If you don't think like that, there's no point in continuing,' he said. 'I just need to keep learning. I need to keep doing it and hope that this season can be even bigger than the one last year. 'It's about repeating it and probably doing better than what I did again. Adding more numbers again and more creativity, whatever it may be. 'It's about using the good of last year and then trying to improve the bits that maybe weren't so good for myself and getting them better for the season ahead.'
