Celtic Star McCowan Says Team Performance is Paramount
Luke McCowan, the Celtic midfielder, has delivered a clear message that the identity of the club's manager should have no bearing on the quality of the team's displays for the rest of the season. His comments come after Martin O’Neill’s fourth match as interim boss concluded in an emphatic 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock.
This resounding win ensured Celtic entered the international break trailing league leaders Hearts by just seven points with a game in hand, keeping the title race firmly alive. The 73-year-old O’Neill mentioned he expects clarity on the short-term managerial situation later this week but stopped short of confirming he would stay if asked.
Uncertainty Surrounds Permanent Appointment
The hunt for Brendan Rodgers' permanent replacement continues, with several names in the frame. Ipswich manager Kieran McKenna, Bodo/Glimt boss Kjetil Knutsen, Columbus Crew’s Wilfried Nancy, and Ferencvaros manager Robbie Keane are all considered front runners for the role.
Despite this backdrop of uncertainty, McCowan is adamant that the players have no excuse for dropping below the standards they have set. Under O’Neill, the team has won both of their league matches by a four-goal margin, and the 27-year-old believes the responsibility lies squarely with the squad.
‘I know Cal’s (Callum McGregor) obviously said it previously as well, but the people that can affect games, it’s the players mainly,’ McCowan stated. ‘All of us guys know that it’s us that are on the pitch, regardless of who’s in charge, and we need to put good performances in.’
He acknowledged that different managers bring varied styles but emphasised that positive performances, attitude, and mentality originate from the players themselves. McCowan is confident that maintaining this focus will lead to more positive results like the one against Kilmarnock.
Players Back O'Neill to Continue
With all the leading candidates currently employed elsewhere, there is a growing expectation that Celtic powerbroker Dermot Desmond will request O’Neill to remain in charge for a longer period. Although O’Neill described his interim spell as ‘tough’, he has previously hinted at an interest in leading the team in the League Cup Final against St Mirren on December 14.
McCowan revealed the entire squad would fully support such a move. He praised O’Neill’s aura and his ability to motivate the players by explaining what it truly means to represent Celtic.
‘He just brings that different kind of speech before a game and just puts full belief in everybody,’ McCowan added. ‘He doesn’t make you think anything. He just tells you how it is. The guys know in the dressing room that they are all valued.’
This sense of value is seen as crucial for navigating a long season beset by injuries, requiring squad players to step up when called upon. When questioned if O’Neill gave any indication about staying in charge for Celtic's next match against St Mirren on November 22, McCowan said the veteran manager was purely focused on the present.
As a lifelong Celtic supporter, McCowan admitted the experience of working under a club legend like O’Neill has been surreal. ‘I thought I was in a time machine,’ he smiled, referencing O’Neill's iconic status from his previous tenure, which included the 2003 UEFA Cup final.
He concluded by paying tribute to O’Neill for returning to help the club in its time of need, solidifying the positive atmosphere within the Celtic camp as they prepare for the challenges ahead.
