Revealed: The Unsung Hero Behind Luke McCowan’s Meteoric Rise

Celtic fan favourite Luke McCowan has credited an unlikely source for his rapid rise to prominence – his mind coach, John Johnstone.

The 26-year-old midfielder, who completed a dream move to Celtic from Dundee in a £1m deal on transfer deadline day a few months ago, recently revealed that Johnstone has been pivotal to his successful start with the Hoops.

After sealing his place in the hearts of Celtic fans by scoring on his first start against Motherwell on Sunday, McCowan shared how his ongoing work with Johnstone has kept him grounded and prepared for the pressures of playing for his boyhood club.

The midfielder described Johnstone’s support as essential in handling the transition from Dundee to a team with the demands and spotlight of Celtic.

“I worked with him for maybe six months before I came here, and as soon as I was coming here, I knew that I was going to need to keep him because it was going to be a different kind of a situation,” McCowan said (RecordSport).

“So we speak all the time – week in, week out we’re talking. It’s just kind of like having a conversation with your dad or your uncle but a lot more professional. He has been really good for me.”

At a club where success is measured in silverware and individual performances are constantly scrutinized, the level-headedness Johnstone helps McCowan maintain could prove invaluable.

By making mental preparation as important as physical fitness, McCowan is setting himself up for a strong future at Celtic. Fans will hope his partnership with Johnstone continues to unlock his potential and see him thrive in the green and white for seasons to come.

So far, things have gone rather swimmingly for the midfielder in Glasgow’s east end. He will be eager to keep his place in the starting lineup for the visit of his former club, Dundee, to Parkhead tomorrow.