“The players here realise how good Adam is,” Luke McCowan

The Celtic Star

·2 febbraio 2025

“The players here realise how good Adam is,” Luke McCowan

Luke McCowan spoke to the media ahead of Celtic’s trip to Fir Park this afternoon…

Luke McCowan opens the scoring, Dens Park, Dundee v Celtic. 14th January 2025. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

The Celtic summer signing also discussed the Champions League match at Villa Park during the week and looked forward to Celtic’s mouth-watering Champions League play-off showdown with the mighty Bayern Munich…

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Adam Idah of Celtic is challenged by Ezri Konsa of Aston Villa during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa FC and Celtic FC at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Q: How important was it for Adam Idah to get those goals against Aston Villa in Kyogo’s absence?

Luke McCowan: “You always want to see one of your team-mates do well and that was the case with Adam, especially with Kyogo leaving. I think he’s said himself; he’s got big shoes to fill and a lot of goals to replace. But I’m sure the big man will do it. To kick it off by scoring two goals away from home in the Champions League, you can’t really beat that.

“So, I was delighted for him on Wednesday night because he put in a lot of hard work against Villa. The players here realise how good Adam is and know the quality he brings. We see it every day in training. He showed it last season and I’m sure the big man’s form will continue to go well. Will he want another striker in for competition? Probably but I’m not sure how Adam’s brain works. For me, yes, we want that. And I think Adam would like it as well.”

Players of FC Bayern München pose for a picture prior to the UEFA Champions League match between FC Bayern München and SK Slovan Bratislava at Football Arena Munich on January 29, 2025 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

Q: Your thoughts on drawing Bayern Munich in the Champions League?

Luke McCowan: “You’re talking about a massive club and a very successful club in the Champions League. It’s going to be unreal and my first ever time at that stadium. It’s a bit surreal for me but the team is buzzing for it and looking forward to the challenge.

“I’m looking forward to coming up against the likes of Neuer, Kimmich, Sane, Kane. It’s incredible. Musiala is another one you watch. It’ll be great to see them in person and see the level they’re at. Hopefully we can try and match it. I’ve never been to the Allianz Arena before. I watched the Germany v Scotland game at the Euros in the summer – they had a lot of Bayern players. Even that showed how hard a place it is to go and get a result. I only just found out on Friday that’s where the Champions League Final is. So, it will be nice to visit the venue. It will be a great occasion and hopefully one where we might come out on top.”

Luke McCowan celebrates his goal. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Q: Some may write you off but do you have to believe you can pull off a shock?

Luke McCowan: “We have to believe we can go through. If we didn’t think like that there would be no point in playing the games. The challenge for us is to qualify and we know it’s a really big challenge. But we have to believe it’s one we can get through.”

Q: When the second leg comes around it’ll be almost four years to the day you were at Ayr losing to Inverness Caley Thistle – is that mad to think about?

Luke McCowan: “You wouldn’t have pictured me four years ago doing this, that’s for sure. But I’m a Celtic player now, I need to forget that. I’ve played in Champions League matches this season, like away to Dortmund – so that prepares you for games like this. I’m surrounded by boys who have experience with these types of ties so I’m learning from them every day.”

Celtic fans show their stupidity and selfishness by lighting flares during the UEFA Champions League match between Aston Villa and Celtic at Villa Park on January 29, 2025. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Q: Away fans may not be allowed in the Allianz Arena – is that a shame all because of a minority?

Luke McCowan: “It’s a shame that the fans might not get to go. For a tie like that, you want every fan to go and enjoy it – and be safe. You want it to be a great occasion. As you saw on Wednesday night, the supporters made it. When we equalised and they all went mental, it was great. Hopefully the club can work with UEFA and the fans can go to Munich. I’ve got too many pals and members of my family wanting to go. I’ve no idea what it will be like trying to get tickets!”

Davide Zappacosta of Atalanta BC is pressured by Luke McCowan of Celtic FC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD3 match between Atalanta BC and Celtic FC at Stadio di Bergamo on October 23, 2024 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

Q: You’ve played 23 times this season, but do you want more? How keen are you to contribute in this busy period coming up?

Luke McCowan: “I just need to keep doing what I’ve been doing. I didn’t realise I’d made 23 appearances which is obviously quite good. But you always want more. Before the season started if you’d said I’d play for Celtic 23 times, I’d have bitten your hand off. But now that I’m here, I want to push for more. I’m really motivated for that. I want to add to it and really help the team.”

Luke McCowan celebrates his goal with James Forrest and Alistair Johnston. Photo Vagelis Georgariou for The Celtic Star

Q: Do you expect a reaction from the Motherwell players, showing that they are doing it for Stuart Kettlewell?

Luke McCowan: “You’ll probably see a reaction from their players on Sunday. You always get a tough game from Motherwell; you know what type of side they are. They’re robust and competitive anyway so it would have been a good game regardless. But I’m sure in their heads, that will be the motivation for them – to do it for their ex-manager. That’s a nice touch from them but from our point of view, we need to go there, put on a good performance and hopefully come away with a win.”

Conor Spence

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