Confidence in a Celtic shirt is always welcome, but Luke McCowan is currently discovering that bravado without application is a recipe for disaster.
Following Celtic’s woeful 2-0 defeat to Dundee United on Sunday, Kris Boyd was ruthless in his assessment of the midfielder’s defensive work.
Boyd asked: “But why is he charging with his hands in the air for? I don’t get why he is running out there with his hands in the air.”
The Sky Sports pundit was referring to McCowan strolling on the edge of the box, as Enock Agyei took a shot to score Dundee United’s second, without it being blocked, despite several green and white shirts in front of him, including Celtic’s subbed-on midfielder.
For a boyhood Celtic fan who understands the weight of the jersey, McCowan is seriously starting to become a frustration, nearly two years after signing from Dundee.
Luke McCowan’s lack of effort called out after Celtic’s defeat to Dundee United
McCowan’s indifferent performances have defined a season where he has failed to become a regular starter, even in a clearly broken Celtic team.
It was only a few weeks ago that he boldly claimed that ‘no team in this league touches Celtic’ when they are at it.
Watching McCowan flap aimlessly while the title race slips towards Hearts, or even worse, Rangers, is a genuine embarrassment to the Celtic supporters, and Boyd was right to call him out on Sky Sports Football (22/03/26) following the Dundee United loss.
Kris Boyd: “Hatate is looking over his shoulder for help straight away. Then he gets committed. He is all over the place. Dundee United keep it alive. Celtic have got bodies back.
“But that was like Celtic all afternoon. They had bodies back there. I am not sure, is it Luke McCowan?”
James McFadden: “Even for me, Luke McCowan. He has to get out there (and block the shot).”
Aiden McGeady: “He has to get out there. He has to charge at the ball.”
Boyd: “But why is he charging with his hands in the air for? I don’t get why he is running out there with his hands in the air.”
Offer your thoughts, Celtic fans!
McCowan’s future needs to be questioned
McCowan is essentially embarrassing himself by making grand statements and then failing to produce on the grass.
If he cannot anchor a struggling midfield when the pressure is on, his future must be questioned.
As Celtic looks toward a massive rebuild in the summer, it is time to ask if McCowan should be part of the inevitable summer clearout, because right now, he should be booted out.
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