Luke McCowan's Rangers derby message, his Celtic dream

The 27-year-old former Dundee captain, however, will not allow any complacency to slip into his game, following the achievement of his first piece of silverware at his new team.

Speaking ahead of his side’s final Glasgow Derby match versus Rangers in the Scottish Premiership this weekend at Ibrox, McCowan relayed the inner message he tells himself, despite having secured his dream move to the team he supports. “You come into a place like this, and you sign, and you think it is amazing, but if you are caught slacking, you are done for,” he said.

“You will not be on the team and not get minutes or a game, regardless of what happens. You have to work and do it all yourself. That has been the main focus, and everybody in the dressing room has helped me do that.

“(I have grown) Massively. I do a lot of clip work, and looking back on old games here and there, even from the start of the season to now, I think I have grown so much as a player technically, tactically and even mentally.

“It has just been amazing what the growth at this club can help you do, and long may it continue.”

Making the move from Tony Docherty’s Dundee to Celtic and Brendan Rodgers would likely be a culture shock to any player. Easily the biggest step up in his career, the former Ayr United player made his debut for his new club in last September’s 3-0 win over Rangers at Celtic Park as a late substitute.

When asked what the main difference between turning out at Dens Park and regularly featuring in front of 60,000 fans was, McCowan’s one-word answer was emphatic. “Intensity,” said the Scotland hopeful.

“It is always intense, regardless of where you are playing, because a win is always everything, but here it is expected. You need to do it in every training session to win, or in every gym session – you need to go and put the work in.”

“I think just the intensity throughout the season with non-stop games, being able to go and play in Champions League games, getting that pressure and watching the boys do it.

“Playing away to Bayern and games like that have been eye-opening and helpful for me, so I just need to learn and keep using it.”

Even despite his serious attitude and mentality towards his blossoming Celtic career, McCowan still sometimes has to take a step back and marvel at the strides he has made, as unbelievable as he reckons his present achievements are from this point last year. 

Still, that has not stopped the midfielder from celebrating his first Scottish Premiership title as a Celtic player. “It has been amazing,” said McCowan, referring to the scenes following the full-time whistle at Tannadice.

“It is hardly really put into words, to be honest. It has probably not even really hit me, but it's something that we were working towards the full season. We knew that was the end goal to get that (the league) done. But after Saturday, it's something that I'll remember forever.

“I mean, sitting on August 30th, I would not have told you that. Probably up to half nine at night on August 31st, I would not have said that that (the move) was going to happen either. I did not even know what was happening on the 31st of August. It was just one of those things in football that can move so fast. 

“But no, as I said, it's been amazing. I can't even fathom that I'm in this position now. It's just about being motivated to keep myself going and be a part of the squad and make as big an impact as I can. 

“So no, it has been a dream start.”

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On next month’s Trophy Day, where McCowan will get his hands on the league title, he continued: “That will probably be one where I end up getting a wee bit emotional. I will put a hanky in my back pocket, just in case!

“I could not have put it into words on Saturday when it happened. I was lucky enough to be able to watch it happen in Tannadice as well - I was actually in the stand, in 2022, watching Ange Postecoglou’s team win it there. For that full-circle moment, it was amazing. I could not even imagine myself being on the pitch and winning the league there. 

“So, for me to work hard and get myself to that position is a credit to me, but also a big thanks to my family and all those who helped me do it.”

Next up for McCowan and his Celtic teammates is a trip to Ibrox to take on Rangers, who have defeated the newly-crowned champions in the last two Premiership meetings between the sides.

Though his team have been stung twice this calendar year by their greatest rivals, McCowan believes the Scottish Premiership table does not lie. “I do not think we have a point to prove,” he said when quizzed about the last two results against Rangers.

"We are the most consistent team in Scotland, and that is why we are going to win the league. But I think it is just more about showing to ourselves that it is not about us winning the league last week, it is about each performance that comes along with that and showing that we are champions wherever we go, regardless of it being Ibrox on Sunday or it being Hibs at home, or anybody. 

“It is about putting on performances. We have got targets in our season that we want to hit, and have other records within the season that we want to break. That is the goal now, and we just need to go and show that.

“It is about being consistent throughout your season, and about showing that you are now champions, getting onto their patch and proving why you are, and putting on a performance that shows that.

“That is our goal for Sunday.”