Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan has issued a warning to Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts, declaring that the defending champions now have them firmly in their sights. The statement comes after Celtic secured back-to-back league wins for the first time under new manager Wilfried Nancy with a dramatic 4-2 victory away to Livingston.
Title Race Heats Up After Dramatic Weekend
The result at the Tony Macaroni Arena, coupled with Hearts' surprise defeat to Edinburgh rivals Hibernian, has dramatically tightened the race at the top of the table. Celtic have moved to within three points of the Tynecastle club, setting up a pivotal week in the season. The Hoops travel to face Motherwell on Tuesday evening, where a win would see them draw level on points with Hearts at the summit.
This would set the stage perfectly for the second Old Firm derby of the season against Rangers at Parkhead next weekend. McCowan was unequivocal about the importance of seizing the moment. "We can't pass up this opportunity," he stated. "December and January are when the most important games are in the league. We know the next performance has to be big against a good Motherwell side who have been in form."
A Game of Risk and Reward Under Nancy
The victory over Livingston was a character-filled, if chaotic, affair. The teams shared four goals in a breathless opening ten minutes, a start McCowan admitted was not part of the plan. Benjamin Nygren eventually fired Celtic back in front after the half-hour, with Arne Engels sealing the points from the penalty spot before the interval.
McCowan acknowledged the team's defensive frailties but emphasised the positive direction under Nancy after a shaky start to his tenure. "It's not a concern if you go and outscore teams," he said of conceding goals. "But you don't want that to always be the case. We need to gel together." He also outlined the unique philosophy Nancy is implementing: "Playing at Celtic is always risk and reward. We play like no other team in the league. We invite teams on and play a passing game... That's the style but it's about being solid."
McCowan Adapts to New Role
Personally, McCowan is adapting to a new tactical demand, having been deployed as a wing-back for the second consecutive match. The former Dundee man described the challenge with humour: "It's a battle, I'll tell you that. They pinpointed me on that left side and put every header on me, which wasn't great!" However, he remains focused on the collective goal: "Listen, I'm starting and playing and that's the most important thing. We are winning and the boys are doing well."
With the gap closed and momentum building, McCowan's message was clear: while going into the Rangers clash level on points would be ideal, the immediate focus must remain on performance. The destiny of the Premiership title is now firmly back in Celtic's hands as the critical winter period unfolds.
