Luke McCowan continues to be a squad player for Celtic.
That was his main role under Brendan Rodgers’ stewardship, and it has so far continued with Martin O’Neill in interim charge.
Although before the November international break, as Celtic brushed aside Kilmarnock at Parkhead, McCowan was handed a much-needed start.
It wasn’t enough for the 27-year-old to earn a Scotland call-up, as questions have been raised as to why the Celtic midfielder continues to be overlooked.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty ImagesLuke McCowan is unfortunate not to be playing for Scotland
Roger Hannah and Simon Donnelly were in agreement that McCowan is ‘unlucky’ not to be playing for his country, as they push to earn their golden ticket for the 2026 World Cup.
Speaking on Clyde 1 Superscoreboard, Donnelly thinks the boyhood Celtic fan is perhaps ‘frustrated’ at being snubbed again by Steve Clarke.
Hannah certainly thinks McCowan is a better option than West Ham United midfielder Andy Irving, who has been selected in the squads to face Greece and Denmark.
Hannah: “I spoke with Luke McCowan on Sunday for Superscoreboard – and he, clearly, has aspirations to be in the international squad.
“I think he has been slightly unlucky not to be in the international squad. Connor Barron of Rangers and Andy Irving of West Ham definitely seem to be ahead of him in Steve Clarke’s thoughts.
“I think Luke can feel that he is a wee bit unfortunate. If there were more injuries. If Billy (Gilmour) does pull out of the Danish game, come Tuesday night, then you wonder if he might turn to Luke McCowan? But he has had loads of opportunities to turn to Luke McCowan, and he hasn’t taken any of them.”
Donnelly: “Is it lack of game time? You could probably argue (that) about Connor Barron, at times.”
Hannah: “Probably not much less game time (for McCowan) than Connor Barron. They both have a lot more than Andy Irving.”
Donnelly: “That maybe kicks that argument into touch. He is a player I like. I think he has been around about it before. Just from his comments there, maybe a wee bit frustrated. I think he will be there or thereabouts.
“I feel he needs to be playing a wee bit more for his own benefit also.”
Breakdown of McCowan’s game time since joining Celtic
The issue with McCowan is his game time and earning those regular starts. He isn’t getting enough of them, and when he does, he is usually back on the bench for the next match.
Perhaps, when Celtic appoint a new manager, McCowan might find himself in the starting XI on a regular basis because he certainly needs it.
Only then will supporters know just how much quality he has, and how much he can push to earn a maiden Scotland call-up.
- McCowan’s games for Celtic: 55
- Starts: 19
- Off the bench: 36
- Unused substitute: 15
- 90 minutes completed: 5
- Total minutes: 2,036