St Mirren v Celtic – Luke McCowan determined to play his part

Luke McCowan is determined to play his part when Celtic face St Mirren in today’s Premier Sports Cup final, keen to seize an opportunity he missed out on last season…

Celtic celebrations after winning the Premier Sports Cup Final between Celtic and theRangers at Hampden on Sunday 15 December 2024. Photo Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

The midfielder was forced to watch last season’s triumph over theRangers as a spectator, having been ineligible to feature after being cup-tied following playing games for Dundee in the competition at the beginning of the campaign.

“Hopefully I’m not watching again,” said McCowan via Celtic’s official YouTube channel. “But I’m just excited to be a part of it this time and actually be on the bench, or starting. It’s just about being able to have the opportunity to help the guys go and lift the trophy.

Reo Hatate with the Premier Sports Cup after Celtic’s victory over theRangers on 15 December 2024 at Hampden Park. Photo Kenny Ramsay

“It gives you that extra motivation this time to make sure that we defend our trophy. But last year, I couldn’t watch it, it was horrible. Especially because at that point I got to know everyone and you’re properly part of it.”

“You’re not just a fan watching or whatever. It was horrible to watch. I was just wanting to be out there and helping them and wanting to be part of it. I’m glad that I’m able to do that this year,” McCowan said.

The Hampden showdown will be Celtic’s first appearance in a final since their dramatic shootout defeat to Aberdeen in last season’s Scottish Cup.

Kasper Schmeichel of Celtic concedes an own goal leading to the first goal for Aberdeen during the Scottish Gas Scottish Cup Final match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Hampden Park on May 24, 2025 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

“You don’t want that feeling ever again,” McCowan added. “It’s such a horrible feeling knowing that you’re leaving the stadium without it. That’s what we’ve got to make sure doesn’t happen this time. But to do that, we need a good performance, and we need to stick together and just go and try to win the game as best we can.”

A victory this weekend would offer the perfect moment for Wilfried Nancy to register his first win as Celtic boss.

“I’ve only had one or two personal interactions with him, which were absolutely fine,” McCowan said. “And then the new style in playing that, that is what it is. If it’s a new style, professional football players, we need to adapt.”

Callum McGregor — Photo: Vagelis Georgariou (The Celtic Star)

“We’ve all played these positions, we’ve all played different positions throughout our careers. We’ve got so many experienced guys there who are able to help the younger guys.”

“It doesn’t really matter about the system. I think right now it’s about getting the competitive edge higher. And we just need to get that back. We need to get back to the run we were on and the level of confidence we had as a team. I’m sure once everything clicks, it’ll be absolutely fine.”

Conor Spence

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