If Celtic have the financial power to bring in who they want, then they regularly succeed in getting their transfer target.
The Celtic Park faithful are used to the champions of Scotland dipping into the European markets, or even going to England to enhance the squad.
What has become less common in recent times is Celtic, given that they are the kings of Scotland, bringing through youth players or signing domestic talents.
Even though Brendan Rodgers can’t spend the type of money he could in the English Premier League, at the end of the day, money has taken over, and it has probably pushed those young domestic players back.
But last summer, in the dying moments of the transfer window, Celtic nabbed a talent from within the Scottish shores that proved to be a popular purchase, even though it left a scar on the other side.
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Tony Docherty’s ‘big blow’ in Luke McCowan joining Celtic from Dundee
Tony Docherty was sacked by Dundee at the end of the 2024/25 Premiership season, and you wonder how much of that is down to Luke McCowan’s deadline day exit.
The man himself told Record Sport that it was a ‘big blow’ when McCowan joined Celtic, even though he knew his star midfielder could operate in such an environment.
Docherty shared how McCowan’s exit was a ‘gutter’ through the dressing room, because of how he was ‘stepping up’ and proving to be a ‘pivotal’ part of everything Dundee did.
“Did I always think he could play for a club the size of Celtic? I would say the simple answer to that is yes,” stated Docherty.
“It’s well documented that it was a bit of a gutter for me last season, because I lost two captains. My first captain, Joe Shaughnessy, I lost through injury.
“But that really allowed Luke to step up to the plate. He was at that stage of his career where he was looking for that responsibility. He was my guy in the dressing room; he was pivotal to everything.
“And it was a big blow to lose him on the last day of the transfer window, because he was more than just a player in that dressing room. He drove people on, and he was a really, really strong character, and one that you know, when the door shuts, he carries on your message when you walk out of the room.”
Why McCowan was ‘frustrated’ before he joined Celtic
McCowan plays with a bundle of energy, and he has plenty of goals in his locker, including eight in his debut campaign.
This is despite the 27-year-old playing less than 1,500 minutes last season, including only 12 starts in the Premiership.
But Docherty knows him better than anyone else, and he shared the transformation McCowan made from becoming a ‘frustrated’ wide player to a thriving attacking midfielder.
“When I came into the club, he was a winger,” shared Docherty.
“I thought he was a frustrated wide player because he had so many more attributes in terms of his ability level. He liked having that responsibility for his team, and I gave him that. I formed a great relationship with him, and he just wanted more and more.
“I’d found a player that was so hungry to do well, initially, for me and for Dundee, but then to progress himself and his career. All the credit goes to him. I really enjoyed working with him. He had shortfalls in his game as well. But I think the importance was that we identified them and worked on him.
“Winning possession back and second balls were some of the things he had to improve on. He did, and he worked harder at every aspect of his game.”
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