Celtic got off to the perfect start in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.
While some areas of play need to be worked on, three points was the objective and the Hoops managed to find their way past a stubborn St Mirren.
The Bhoys were doing everything to break down the Buddies, but with three minutes of normal time left, it was still 0-0 at Parkhead.
But up stepped substitute Luke McCowan to save the day, as his deflected effort found its way into the bottom corner of the net.
McCowan has already been praised by Andy Halliday, while the ex-Dundee star was named in BBC presenter Jonathan Sutherland’s team of the week.
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O’Neill backs Luke McCowan to play more important Celtic role
Now, legendary former Celtic boss Martin O’Neill has waded in and dished out plaudits for McCowan during a Premier Sports press conference this week.
The Northern Irishman thinks McCowan is bound for a more significant role under Brendan Rodgers this season.
Asked about his thoughts on the midfielder, O’Neill replied: “I wouldn’t have seen him live a great deal of times, but of course I’ve seen him on television. You have to commend him for working his way through, not giving up, and getting into Celtic’s first-team.
“I think – and I suppose it won’t really matter what I think, but it’s what the manager thinks of him – but he definitely seems like he’s going to play a more significant part this season. And if that’s the case, well done him.
“Now what you’re looking for is this big improvement on last season, if it is at all possible.
Who is McCowan competing with at Celtic?
McCowan should be proud of his first campaign in a Celtic jersey, even if he wasn’t a regular starter across the season.
He came from Dundee with a good domestic reputation, but stepping up for the Hoops is a completely different ball game.
But it has to be said, McCowan was very effective as a second-half substitute and was able to spark life and zest into Celtic’s midfield.
That was exactly what happened on Sunday against St Mirren, so it can be argued he deserves to be starting more big games this season.
However, ahead of him is Reo Hatate, Benjamin Nygren and Arne Engels. You could say he has usurped Engels in the pecking order already.
But Hatate and Nygren seem to be Rodgers’ favoured two alongside captain Callum McGregor, so McCowan has his work cut out.
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