Tony Docherty states where Luke McCowan has already ‘hugely’ improved after Celtic move

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There was an air of excitement when Luke McCowan secured a transfer from Dundee to Celtic in the summer.

Tony Docherty was the man who coached Celtic’s new midfielder during his time in Dundee colours and he has now watched him reach the highest level of his career.

Brendan Rodgers’ side won the double last season, but you sensed that the performances here and there were pretty scratchy.

You can’t make such complaints for this season because the Bhoys have been outstanding in the Premiership and the Champions League.

In that regard, life is much tougher for McCowan because the quality levels have risen, but that’s what happens when you don the Celtic colours.

But credit to the player because, during these early few months, he has taken everything in his stride and is looking like the real deal.

And his former manager over at Dundee couldn’t be more delighted.

Tony Docherty says Luke McCowan belongs at Celtic

Week by week, the competition levels at Celtic just go up a level.

Whether it’s Alex Valle and Greg Taylor fighting for a place, Liam Scales being on the bench or Adam Idah backing up Kyogo Furuhashi.

There is depth in quality all over the pitch, but you could argue that the toughest position to fight for is that midfield, with the captain Callum McGregor leading the charge.

But Docherty made it clear that McCowan belongs at Celtic’s levels and he believes he has already ‘hugely’ improved his sense of intelligence at Parkhead, as he told PLZ Soccer.

The Dundee boss hailed the future Scotland star’s personality because he feels that is helping him just get ‘better and better’.

“I think he’s robust enough for a start,” responded Docerty on what McCowan has to be a Celtic player. “The technical ability and he just has the belief.

“Obviously, I gave him more responsibility when he was captain of the club and he was ready for it. I think now, when you look at him playing for Celtic, every time I see him he understands their style of play as well. The movement and the runs that they do. He gets all that. His game intelligence, I think has come up hugely.

“I see him there as a player that’s just at that stage where he is getting better and better, and keep continuing to improve. That’s down to his personality. He’s not a boy who is going to sit there. That conversation I had with him in the summer, it was all about ‘I really want to go further’ – he deserves all the credit and he now has got himself where he should be rightfully playing. I think he will do really well at Celtic.”

McCowan’s numbers for Celtic

First game for Celtic, Champions League debut, first goal for Celtic and first assist. McCowan has it all ticked off already, with trophies his next agenda.

When McGregor was sidelined for Celtic’s trip to Motherwell last month, it was no bother because McCowan stepped up and delivered.

He opened the scoring and showcased that he belongs at this level, but once again, it isn’t a surprise to anybody.

The 26-year-old hasn’t been capped by his country yet, but you sense, the road he is going down, it won’t be too long.

As posted by Tranfermarkt, McCowan has 11 goal involvements to his name, despite playing less than 1000 minutes.