A first fan media conference, pitchside at Celtic Park with Luke McCowan and now his debut article on The Celtic Star for our new writer Conor Spence who is a third year student at Strathclyde University studying Journalism. Welcome to The Celtic Star Conor!
Celtic v theRangers – Luke McCowan during the match at Celtic Park on Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan
My first fan media conference, pitchside at Celtic Park with Luke McCowan and a debut article on The Celtic Star…
Remember how you felt on your first few days at school? Well, those nervous emotions resulted in me feeling like I was travelling back in time when I took part in my first press conference, representing Gigpod, at Celtic Park on Monday afternoon…
Like almost every football fan, I knew fulfilling a professional career on the pitch was never going to be an option. As much as I was desperate to one day grace the turf of Paradise, it was sadly a fantasy. Therefore, I had to ask myself what is the next best alternative? Writing and speaking about your club is not a bad plan B.
As I was guided to the classroom (media room) on Monday to meet Celtic’s newest recruit Luke McCowan, I think I was more nervous than him seeing the press. When broadcasters such as Ronnie Charters from STV who you see on news every night are sitting a row in front and are asking the questions that you never thought about when researching, it does hit you.
The logistics of press conferences are also not the way I imagined they would go. Having the chance to go pitchside with photographers and admire the surroundings from a playerseye view was surreal. The fan media guys who are well-versed in pressers were on form as detailed, insightful questions were delivered and it was a pleasure to be alongside them.
Less about me and more about Luke. Not your typical robotic, cliched footballer when answering questions. This was by far the most refreshing thing about the Celtic fan media conference.
This is a man who is absolutely delighted at signing for the club he grew up supporting. When listening to his answers on the chaos of deadline day at having to travel to Celtic Park and then getting thrown in against theRangers for his debut, he is one of us. Without question had he not been a footballer he would have been in the stands following this current Celtic side.
The Greenock-born midfielders’ story is compelling. Going from competing in the Premier Sports Cup group-stages at Glebe Park just over a month ago to hearing the Champions League music ring out at Celtic Park next Wednesday. It is quite the transition. A transition that he seems to be relishing.
McCowan was also understanding of the competitiveness of breaking into Celtic’s exhilarating midfield. On the contrary, he was (jokingly) not too pleased at Celtic fan media’s attempt at continually bringing up Celtic’s 7-1 thumping of Dundee in February, a game that McCowan admitted was a sobering experience.
He spoke at length about his duels against Matt O’Riley and the swarming nature of the likes of Callum McGregor whose intensity McCowan feels is unmatched in the country. The former Dundee man also namechecked Celtic legend James Forrest as someone he admired.
With the first international break passing us by, I was keen to gauge his thoughts on a potential Scotland cap. His form last season and at the start of this season under Tony Docherty’s side merited a recognition that would offer a Scotland side much deprived of dynamism going forward something different. Blind loyalty is the root cause of SPFL talent like McCowan not being given an opportunity.
Celtic 3 theRangers 0 – Sunday September 1, 2024. Photo Andrew Milligan
Racking up valuable minutes under Brendan Rodgers not only would benefit Celtic but getting that first cap for his country would be another dream fulfiller and an added confidence booster for McCowan.
Overall, my experience of asking questions in a presser for the first time was a positive one. Made easy by an insightful guy who spoke at great length about his joy signing for his boyhood team. A £1m fee for our new midfielder may well be a bargain. We should all look forward to watching him in the Hoops.
Here’s my first ever Celtic Fan Media conference and this is my first ever article writing on The Celtic Star!
Conor Spence
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