Luke McCowan has played a fair few positions for Celtic.
Signed as a central midfielder by Brendan Rodgers, he almost-exclusively played in the middle of the park in his first season at Celtic Park.
However, when Rodgers was replaced by Martin O’Neill, McCowan was deputised as a makeshift right-winger – to decent effect, too.
But just as he was getting the hang of that role, Wilfried Nancy has arrived and is now using him in a new left-wing-back role.
Poor Luke. After the Hoops’ win over Livingston, he discussed life under Nancy so far.
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Luke McCowan on life under Wilfried Nancy at Celtic
McCowan isn’t playing as an out-and-out wing-back; he has inverted in possession under Nancy, allowing Daizen Maeda to hug the touchline.
But when Celtic lose the ball and teams are attacking down McCowan’s side, things can get scary.
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And speaking after the Hoops’ 4-2 win at Almondvale, McCowan was asked about the change in environment in his new position.
He said: “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!
“Listen, I’m starting and playing and that’s the most important thing. I just want to help the team and get the game-time I wanted. We are winning and the boys are doing well, so I just want to keep doing it.”
Later, he was asked about the general difference in Nancy’s new system, and played down the change with a surprising answer.
He said: “We aren’t really doing anything different.
“We need to make sure that any ideas the manager has, the players are working so hard to get them across on the pitch.
“That’s the kind of message we have as players. 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. The percentages are higher on our side than they are on other teams. That’s the risk and reward of it. If we lose the ball in areas of the pitch, the other team can be in your final third.
“We know that’s the style but it’s about being solid when we have the ball offensively and make sure teams can’t counter.”
Did Callum McGregor seem particularly annoyed with the Sky Sports Celtic questions?
Other Celtic players in new roles under Wilfried Nancy
McCowan isn’t alone in having their starting position completely changed under the new manager.
Less convincing in a new position has been Anthony Ralston, who has been used as a centre-back. He also struggled defensively against Livingston.
Sebastian Tounekti and Yang Hyun-Jun, both typically wingers, have been used as wing-backs to varying degrees of success.
Even the Hoops’ other midfielders have had to get used to a different shape in the middle of the park, with Callum McGregor’s role noticeably changing.
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