Celtic star’s joy at working under boyhood hero, Martin O’Neill

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The Celtic Star

·11 November 2025

Celtic star’s joy at working under boyhood hero, Martin O’Neill

Luke McCowan has revealed his joy of working under boyhood hero Martin O’Neill, even if it’s only for a short time…

Celtic interim manager Martin O’Neill during the Premier League match between Celtic and Kilmarnock at Celtic Park on November 09, 2025. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Although the Celtic midfielder was only a young lad when the interim Hoops boss was appointed back in 2000, he was well aware of his legendary reputation and the achievements that followed.

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O’Neill’s Treble in his first season in charge marked only the third in Celtic’s history, and he later guided McCowan’s childhood icons like Henrik Larsson to the club’s third European final – the 2003 UEFA Cup showdown in Seville.

A dejected Celtic manager Martin O’Neill after the UEFA Cup Final match between Celtic and FC Porto held on May 21, 2003 at the Estadio Olimpico in Seville, Spain. FC Porto won the match and trophy 3-2 after extra-time. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

People often warn against meeting your heroes, but it just so happens McCowan is working under his just now at Celtic. The 27 year-old is lapping up every second of it.

Speaking in the media room at Celtic Park after the 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock on Sunday, the Celtic midfielder said: “I thought I was in a time machine! It’s kind of been like that even with Jota coming back as well and Kieran coming back. You’re kind of like ‘what the heck’s going on here?’ And when he came in, all I could think about was the UEFA Cup final – what did he say in the dressing room? And lucky enough, I could just ask Shaun.

“But no, it’s been amazing. He’s got that aura and almost legendary status at this club. So, fair play to him coming back and helping us out when we kind of needed it.”

McCowan added: “I mean, it’s Martin O’Neill at the end of the day. He’s got that aura and brings that motivating factor of what it means to play for this club, as did the previous manager as well.”

“He just brings that different kind of speech before a game and just puts full belief in everybody that’s in a squad and is really, really forward to everybody as well. He doesn’t make you think anything. He just tells you how it is.”

“The guys know in the dressing room that they are all valued and we need to use that because the season’s long and, as you’re seeing, left, right and centre, we’re getting injuries everywhere, and it’s about squad players coming up and stepping up when they can,” he continued.

While McCowan was thrilled to witness O’Neill’s arrival at Celtic Park two weeks ago, he admitted that his father was even more overwhelmed by the moment.

“He was buzzing,” he said. “He kept pestering me with questions, but I’m just trying to play it cool. I’m too scared [to ask him anything]. I’m going to wait. It’s too serious at the moment. We’re all focusing on games, left, right and centre.”

“There’ll be a time for that if they are still about for international break because I’m not going anywhere. If he’s about he’ll get a few questions then. You’ve just got to kind of go, ‘aye, it’s all right, it’s fine’ but we all know it’s nice to have the gaffer here and what he brought before. He’s obviously replicating that again.”

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter

David Potter, Celtic Historian and Author.

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter was published in September 2025 by Celtic Star Books. David’s widow Rosemary has written a special message of thanks to the Celtic support and Danny McGrain has contributed his own piece to the book which is a great read. And Danny has gone further by signing all remaining copies of the book which is available now from our bookstore – celticstarbooks.com

Danny McGrain signing copies of Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Photo: Celtic Star Books

Please note that as we celebrate the life and the Celtic writing of David Potter we are happy to include a free copy of David’s wonderful Willie Fernie biography that only could be titled ‘Putting on the Style’ a release that helped bring that old Celtic song back into the current songbook.

Celtic in the Eighties by David Potter. Order now and you’ll receive a copy personally signed by Danny McGrain PLUS a free gift! Click on image to order now.