Luke McCowan insists Celtic are not going to be just tourists in the Champions League.
The Hoops new boy is relishing his big chance on Europe’s top stage as the Parkhead men kick off their campaign against Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday. McCowan admitted it will be a special moment to hit the big time after coming through the ranks at Ayr United and Dundee. But no one at the club will be happy just to be involved among the big boys.
McCowan knows Celts have suffered too much Champions League disappointment in recent years and he insisted everyone at Parkhead is determined to make an impact in the group stage. He said: “We are not there as tourists. That’s the message. I’ve probably watched the competition for years now. Celtic always want to push as far into the Champions League as possible and show you’re a Champions League team.
“We are and I’m sure we’ve got a great chance to do that. I’m sure the boys will be aiming for that. Of course, we want to push on. You’ve got teams spending £100million in budgets and all that rubbish.
“But you’ve got to know that what’s in front of you, you want to try and beat them. Regardless of who you’re playing, regardless of what you want to say, we’re good enough to beat what is in front of you and that’ll be the message, I’m sure.
“I’ve never experienced a changing room before it. I’ve never experienced the week leading up to it, so I couldn’t tell you what the actual message would be. But I’d imagine for an outsider looking in, even myself training a few weeks now, that’ll be the message, that you are good enough to go and put an imprint in that Champions League.”
McCowan is ready to play his part after coming off the bench for his debut against Rangers and then notching his first Celtic goal when he came on in Saturday’s Premiership win against Hearts. The 26-year-old savoured his late strike but admitted Celts will need to raise their levels to get off to a flier against Bratislava.
McCowan said: “It was special. Luckily enough I had some family there, hoping I’d get on. To make it even better by going and getting a goal, it was just a special feeling for me.
“The boys were going for it right away. It probably wasn’t the start we wanted, but with the amount of chances we create, we know we are going to score goals. It was nice to get a wee cushion with the second but we know the next game (against Bratislava) needs to be better.”
McCowan is desperate to experience Parkhead on a huge European night – and hear the famous Champions League anthem. But he admitted it will be vital not to get lost in the big time atmosphere.
McCowan said: “There’s no doubt it’s going to be special. I’m just going off what some of the boys in the changing room have been saying to me. It’s a real surreal moment when you hear it (the anthem) for the first time. But I am just looking forward to it.
“I will just try to stay as calm as possible. Ultimately, you want to show that you’re good enough to be here. Hopefully if I do get minutes, hopefully if I play however long, it’s about showing that I can cope with playing at the biggest stage in world football.”