The signing of Luke McCowan has been much spoken about over the last two weeks.
The former Dundee captain has realised his boyhood dream and not only signed for the club he supports, but he also got to make his debut against Rangers in a Glasgow Derby win.
McCowan‘s story really is the stuff of dreams and one that every Celtic supporter can relate to.
But despite his flying start to his Celtic career, it wasn’t his cameo against Rangers that impressed John Hartson.
It was his comments in the media when McCowan signed for Celtic when he said he was prepared to wait for his chance but will work hard to show his worth to Brendan Rodgers.
Hartson’s advice to ‘bullish’ McCowan
Hartson admits he likes what he’s been hearing from the new Celtic summer signing but he has sent McCowan a warning that he’s not sure the former Dens Park midfielder will be a regular starter under Brendan Rodgers.
Hartson told The Go Radio Football Show, “Listening to that attitude there, I think it’s very bullish. He’s sending out a message that I haven’t come here to play second fiddle.
“He backs himself, which I think every player has to. That’s great. That’s the type of thing a manager actually wants to listen to. He’s got real character.”
“So, I don’t think he’ll play every game. I think he will have to bide his time because we saw how good Bernardo was against Rangers and then obviously Hatate and McGregor in there as well.
“But there’ll be injuries, there’ll be opportunities for him. There’s no doubt about that.”
“I just like the fact that he’s backing himself really, really early after maybe one game. A Celtic fan, that just goes out the window. It’s great for the Celtic supporters, but that’s not going to make him play any well or any better.
“It’s just a great, great moment for him to join his boyhood club, but it doesn’t mean he’s going to play any better.
“He’s still going to have to show his ability on the pitch. So for me, he’ll get games, but whether or not he can become a regular starter is yet to be seen.”
Humble McCowan’s confidence is endearing
Whilst I agree with Hartson that McCowan’s confidence is admirable, the new summer signing also sounds incredibly humble as well.
McCowan has every reason to back himself, he is a very good footballer but what I like about him is that he understands that there is more hard work ahead of him and that a first-team place is not being taken for granted.
Listening to how McCowan carries himself, you cannot help but will him on to do well at Celtic but with the competition ahead of him at the moment, it seems he will have a battle on his hands to get into that team.
And that is a battle every Celtic supporter will be willing him on to do well in because it will make others in team raise their collective games which can only be a good thing moving forward.
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