Luke McCowan explained

Luke McCowan
Birth Date:9 December 1997
Birth Place:Greenock, Scotland
Position:Midfielder, left winger
Height:177cm
Currentclub:Celtic
Clubnumber:14
Youthclubs1:East End United F.C.
Youthclubs2:Ayr United
Youthyears2:2015–2017
Years1:2017–2021
Clubs1:Ayr United
Caps1:56
Goals1:10
Years2:2021–2024
Clubs2:Dundee
Caps2:99
Goals2:23
Years3:2024–
Clubs3:Celtic
Caps3:9
Goals3:3
Club-Update:18:11, 30 November 2024 (UTC)

Luke McCowan (born 9 December 1997) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or left winger for club Celtic.

Early life

McCowan was born in Greenock, Scotland[1] and attended Notre Dame High School.

Career

Youth career

In 2015, McCowan won the West of Scotland Title with East End United F.C. While at the Ayr United's youth teams, he had a busy day as he had to be up at 5am to work as a lifeguard at Waterfront Leisure Complex before attending gym sessions in the afternoon, then driving for over an hour to train with Ayr.

Ayr United

On 1 July 2017, McCowan signed his first professional contract for Ayr United lasting one year. In his first season, he made five appearances, scoring one goal in all competitions, with one appearance coming in the League. On 6 June 2019, it was announced that McCowan had been given a two-year contract after getting rave reviews from the game against Partick Thistle in late April.[2]

Dundee

On 1 June 2021, McCowan signed a two-year deal with Scottish Premiership side Dundee.[3] He made his debut for the club in the Scottish League Cup against Brora Rangers.[4] McCowan would get his first competitive goal for the Dee the following week against Montrose.[5] He would later score his first Premiership goal which clinched a win over Aberdeen.[6]

In December 2022, McCowan would score a brace away against his former club Ayr United to help Dundee win and put them top of the Scottish Championship for Christmas.[7] McCowan would conclude a strong season with an excellent performance and goal against Queen's Park to help Dundee clinch the Scottish Championship title.[8]

On 4 June 2023, Dundee announced that McCowan had signed a new two-year deal, keeping him at the club until the summer of 2025.[9] McCowan would mark his 100th appearance for the Dark Blues with an eventful performance, scoring a goal and receiving a red card in a comfortable away win over Livingston.[10] Near the end of a successful season which saw Dundee reach top six and McCowan switch from the wing to centre midfielder with ease and captaining the squad following an injury to Joe Shaughnessy, McCowan was awarded as the Scottish Premiership Player of the Month for April 2024.[11] [12] At the end of the season, McCowan was named Dundee's Player of the Year and Players' Player of the Year.[13]

Celtic

On 30 August 2024, McCowan signed for Scottish champions Celtic on a three-year deal, for a reported fee of around £1 million.[14] McCowan made his Celtic debut on 1 September, coming on as a substitute in an Old Firm win over Rangers.[15] McCowan opened his scoring account for his boyhood club in his next game, netting at home in a win against Hearts.[16] On 23 October, McCowan made his UEFA Champions League debut off the bench in a draw in Italy away to Atalanta.[17]

Style of play

McCowan is left footed and right handed. A versatile player, he often plays across all sides of the midfield and even sometimes plays as a winger.

Career statistics

ClubSeasonLeagueScottish CupLeague CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Ayr United2017–18Scottish League One1010102151
2018–19Scottish Championship5010003191
2019–20Scottish Championship245204310318
2020–21Scottish Championship2652252339
Total561062105627819
Dundee2021–22Scottish Premiership2943041365
2022–23Scottish Championship3072151314010
2023–24Scottish Premiership371010304110
2024–25Scottish Premiership325183
Total9923611733112528
Celtic2024–25Scottish Premiership930010103
Career total16436123278109321350

Honours

Dundee

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Greenock footballer nets deal at Ayr United. Corner. Paul John. 11 June 2017. Greenock Telegraph. en. 26 January 2019.
  2. Web site: Greenock footballer ready to make impact at Ayr United. Greenock Telegraph. en. 2019-10-21.
  3. Web site: 1 June 2021. Luke signs. 1 June 2021. dundeefc.co.uk.
  4. Web site: 13 July 2021. Dundee v Brora Rangers. 14 July 2021. BBC.
  5. Web site: Montrose v Dundee. 21 July 2021. BBC.
  6. News: Aberdeen woes deepen as Dundee win. en-GB. BBC Sport. 2021-10-16.
  7. News: McCowan double as Dundee beat Ayr to go top . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-12-23.
  8. News: Dundee back in Premiership after eight-goal epic . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2023-05-05.
  9. Web site: 2023-06-04 . McCowan signs new deal . 2023-06-04 . Dundee Football Club - Official Website . en-US.
  10. News: Martindale future a 'conundrum' as Dundee thrash Livingston . 2024-01-31 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  11. Web site: Luke McCowan wins April award SPFL . 2024-05-10 . spfl.co.uk.
  12. Web site: 2024-05-10 . Dundee: McCowan named Premiership player of the month . 2024-05-10 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  13. Web site: 2024-05-19 . 2024 DSA Player of the year winners . 2024-05-20 . Dundee Football Club - Official Website . en-US.
  14. Web site: Pirie . Mark . 2024-08-30 . Luke McCowan seals Celtic transfer as midfielder makes last gasp Dundee exit . 2024-08-30 . Daily Record . en.
  15. Web site: Celtic 3-0 Rangers: Scottish Premiership . 2024-09-01 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  16. Web site: Celtic 2-0 Hearts: Scottish Premiership . 2024-09-14 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  17. Web site: Atalanta 0-0 Celtic: Brendan Rodgers' side secure hard-fought Champions League point . 2024-10-23 . BBC Sport . en-GB.