Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan insists he will pay no attention to the title showdown between Hearts and Rangers at Tynecastle tomorrow.
McCowan stressed the importance of Celtic beating Hibs at Easter Road this afternoon — and revealed he won’t even watch the televised clash between their two title rivals in Gorgie.
The 28-year-old, who recently signed a new contract, also played down the importance of Celtic playing first for the second weekend in succession.
McCowan knows the onus will be on Martin O’Neill’s men to take care of business and claim a victory which would move them level on points with Hearts at the top of the table.
Asked about whether he will watch the blockbuster clash at Tynecastle tomorrow, he said: ‘I will maybe just avoid their game and look at what happened after it is done.
‘I have a few things on and don’t want to get overexcited. I will take a look at it once it is finished. I’ll probably be looking back at clips from the Hibs game to see how the team performed or whether there are aspects of my own game that could be improved upon.
Luke McCowan admits he won’t be watching Hearts v Rangers on Monday evening
The Celtic midfielder celebrates his goal in extra-time in the Scottish Cup win over St Mirren
‘You really just need to focus on your own games. Regardless of when you play, you need to win. Whether you play ahead of Hearts and Rangers or after, the pressure is on us to win.
‘The expectation here is always for us to go and win matches. It’s really all about putting on a performance that gives you the best chance to do that.’
Celtic have started to hit their stride over recent weeks and find some form, with O’Neill’s men beating Falkirk 3-1 at Parkhead last weekend. With fan protests parked until the end of the season, there was a greater sense of unity around the stadium.
McCowan believes that could be pivotal in the title run-in as they travel to face a Hibs side who are still chasing European football.
‘I thought everybody was brilliant at the Falkirk game,’ said McCowan. ‘The whole stadium was rocking.
‘To get that amazing reception when we were walking in the door and have it continue when you are playing helps you. It gives you extra motivation.
‘We know it will be a tough game at Hibs. They are top five for a reason, they are pushing for fourth and they are not far off it.
‘The games we have played with them this season have been close and they will be right up for it because they have still got their own targets to aim for.
‘Twelve o’clock on a Sunday, it is a nice time and, as a group, we are really looking forward to it.
‘I have enjoyed going to Easter Road. You know it is going to be a game with lots of pressure, the fans are right next to you, and Hibs are a really good side who always push you to your limits.’
McCowan joined Celtic from Dundee in 2024 and last week penned a contract extension which secures his Parkhead future until the summer of 2028.
He was part of a Dundee team that won promotion from the Championship in nerve-shredding fashion on the final day of the season in 2023.
The midfielder was delighted to agree fresh terms with Celtic but would be keen to avoid a similar final day shootout if possible.
McCowan has penned a new deal at Celtic and is eager to end the season on a high
‘I am buzzing with it,’ he said. ‘Just to get it signed and my future here secured for another two years is a dream come true.
‘My time at Dundee feels like a different life now to be fair. But it is something I look back on with fond memories.
‘When we won promotion, that was a season that was tight as well. It went down to the final day. We won 5-3 (against Queen’s Park) and I got the fifth. It was a crazy first half, as I remember. That is a couple of years ago now but still good memories. I don’t think I can go through another game like that. It was not good for my heart! But it was a title and if you offered me that now I would take it.
‘I just have to make sure I can pass on any experience I have from that previous success to the other boys because that is what they do for me.’
Away from football, McCowan, who is an ambassador for Guide Dogs Scotland, revealed that his own furry four-legged friend provides a welcome distraction.
‘I have a four-year-old cocker spaniel Coby, who is electric,’ added the midfielder. ‘He has a bit of separation anxiety and needs attention every single minute of every day — and I have a fiancee, Erin, who is the same!
‘Those two give me enough distraction and then when the weather is nice I try to play a bit of golf. Try and switch off that way.
‘Getting a dog was probably the best thing I have ever done as he takes my mind right off football. He takes a bit of walking.’
And tomorrow, one assumes, Coby might be enjoying a bit of fresh air from 5.30pm as Celtic’s title rivals go head-to-head at Tynecastle.
