LUKE McCOWAN has worked like a dog for the last three months.
That’s why he took the chance to reintroduce himself to pet pooch Kobe this week.
Dog lover Luke McCowan helped launch Guide Dogs Scotland’s Puppy Appeal in October[/caption]
Boyhood Hoops fan McCowan has made almost 40 appearances since joining last summer[/caption]
McCowan has a free midweek for the first time in a long time[/caption]
Celtic star McCowan admits a 20-game European and domestic schedule across 11 weeks went by in a blur.
But with the Hoops squad getting a midweek off for the first time since last December, he took a chance to reflect on life at Parkhead.
McCowan, 27, made the life-changing move from Dundee last summer, and insists he’s now fully aware of the constant demands at Celts.
He said: “It took me until the other day to realise how hectic and hard a schedule that was for us.
“That was my first time doing it and this week has been a lot better.
“I’ve been able to go to the shops, get some stuff in and even walk the dog for a wee bit! I don’t think he recognised me for that three months.
“His name is Kobe, he’s a cocker spaniel and he’s off his nut. So the missus needs a bit of help to take care of him!
“It just feels nice to be at home with my family and mum after training, not needing to pack a bag or getting ready to travel anywhere.
“It’s been nice to get a refresher, and that’s probably why I’ve reflected a bit on things. I have come out of that period with no scars and it’s been a good learning curve.
“Hopefully next year we’re doing the same, because you want to be in as many competitions as possible.”
McCowan has full respect for tomorrow’s Scottish Cup opponents Hibs.
He was hooked at the break when David Gray’s men beat Celtic 2-1 at Easter Road last month. A session with his long-standing mindset coach John Johnstone ensured he wasn’t too hard on himself.
But he admits that defeat gave the Hoops a reminder that they can’t afford to drop their standards.
McCowan added: “We didn’t perform that day. Personally, it was probably the first time I’d been part of the team and it hadn’t gone well.
“I was actually speaking to my mindset coach about it and he was just saying, ‘It’s six or seven months into your Celtic career and that’s the first time . . . you’ll take it’.
“It happens in football. There’s no point in sulking, you’ve got to move on and go and impact the next games and I’ll be looking to do that.
“The mindset stuff is really important, especially for me coming from Dundee to here.
“I just knew I would have needed it because you are getting a start and then on the bench, and you need a different mentality.
“Even during the hectic schedule, it’s about keeping the train rolling.
“He’s helped me with that, just staying in that zone and realising the importance of how much your mentality means within your game. So on Sunday the full focus will be on a good display and getting through.”
McCowan was ineligible for Celts’ Premier Sports Cup campaign after playing in the competition for Dundee. Now he’d love to return to Hampden as a member of the playing squad for a semi-final.
The midfield ace hopes it would be better than his first experience of the national stadium as an Ayr United player in 2018.
He said: “We played Queen’s Park in the Challenge Cup at Hampden and it went to penalties.
“There is a funny story about that game because they had a man sent off — and we had to remove one player to even it up for the shootout.
“I was the guy who got told to bolt!
“Ian McCall was the manager and I must have been the youngest in the team. He just said, ‘You, off!’.
“I wasn’t too bothered, to be fair. At the time I was probably quite happy!
“If I was to win the quarter-final and go back to Hampden, I would want a better memory.
McCowan making friends with a guide dog[/caption]
“It was great to see the boys win the Premier Sports Cup last year, but it was horrible not being able to play.
“Other than being injured, there’s nothing worse.
“Callum McGregor was trying to drag everyone on to the pitch at the end, but I didn’t really want to go on.
“He understood that it was about more than the final, it was about the training and pushing the players who could play. But I was cup-tied and didn’t play a single minute.
“I didn’t even celebrate in the changing room because it wasn’t a cup I had won.
“Now I’m able to play in this competition, it’s been magic.
“I’m enjoying knockout football and looking to progress.
“If things were to go our way in the Scottish Cup, then I’m sure I will celebrate better.
“But the main focus is on getting through this stage and kind of taking it round by round.”
McCowan could have ended up at Hibs last summer had the champions not come in for him on deadline day.
The Easter Road side made bids for the midfielder, but his heart was set on a Parkhead switch.
McCowan added: “I was aware of it but when Celtic got involved, it was them or nothing really.
“But my head wasn’t turned at all by the talk. It was just one of those things.
“I don’t know how it would have panned out if Celtic were never interested.
“But as soon as they were involved, then you can’t turn that down.”
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