Rodgers call seals McCowan’s Celtic move
Luke McCowan vowed to prove he is Celtic class after moving beyond the “surreal” feeling of signing for his boyhood heroes.
The midfielder completed a last-gasp transfer from Dundee after receiving a call from Brendan Rodgers.
The 26-year-old had been the subject of several bids from Hibernian but Celtic’s interest was known for some time and they eventually made their move, arriving at Parkhead late on Friday.
“It’s a bit surreal even sitting here with the Hoops on,” he said. “I don’t really know how to put it into words. It’s just something that I’ve been desperate to get down as soon as I knew Celtic were interested. I’m just ready to get to work and show that I’m a player that can play for this club.
“The manager got my number and left me a lovely message, asking me to call him and as soon as I phoned him he was nothing but complimentary about myself and welcomed me to the club. And after two minutes on the phone, I was ready to run as fast and as hard as I can for him on the pitch. So I’m ready to go.
“It’s special to come to a club this size and just know that you’re going to be a part of something that’s going to be really great. I just need to go and prove now on the pitch especially that I deserve to be here and show the fans what I’ve got.
“I think that’s why Celtic has been amazing in the last so many years now because you’ve got players fighting for places.
“So I’ve just got to go in now and show that I can do that and I can push boys that are in my position already to better themselves and better me. I’ll be like a sponge in there the first few days, that’s for sure.”
McCowan could be involved in today’s Premiership clash with Old Firm rivals Rangers at Celtic Park, along with fellow new signings Alex Valle, Arne Engels and Auston Trusty.
“I’ve grown up watching the derby and you know what it means to everybody at this club and you know, come Sunday, what emotions it can bring, and I’m sure that if I’m part of that I can hopefully add to it and hopefully enjoy it.”
The champions go into the game two points ahead of their city rivals on the back of scoring nine goals without reply in their opening three league matches.
Rangers have been dealing with with an enforced exile from Ibrox amid building work and a Champions League exit at the first hurdle.
The financial gap between the sides is widening and Celtic’s late transfer business appears to have put them at a further advantage.