Luke McCowan hails impact of Martin O'Neill on Celtic's return to form

Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan has hailed the impact of interim boss Martin O’Neill in helping the Hoops return to form.

Since O’Neill returned to Parkhead, he has led them to a cup final, dramatically cut the gap at the top of the league, and kept their Europa League campaign on track with an impressive victory over Feyenoord in Rotterdam.

They are now just two points off Hearts at the top, with a game in hand, and host the Jambos at Celtic Park next weekend.

It looks likely that O’Neill will take his final bow in front of a home crowd when they take on Dundee in the east end of Glasgow on Wednesday.

And McCowan, who has started the last two games, insists getting the chance to work under a bona fide Celtic legend has been an invaluable experience.

Speaking to STV Sport during a Celtic Foundation event helping with Spirit Aid, the 27-year-old said of O’Neill: “He’s got so much presence as a manager, being a Celtic legend and with the guys he has worked with.

“From the first game he came in, we did the lap of honour that we always do at home and he just looked at us and said ‘did you win a cup?’ and told us we always had to be wary of the next game coming.

“He has always been about focusing on the next game, even after we beat Feyenoord on Tuesday, his message right after the game was about Hibs on Sunday.

“I think that has helped, he is on us about that constantly, he also brings a great sense of humour, he just says what he sees, and that helps break the ice in the changing room.

“He’s been great to have around the place, and it’s been an absolute pleasure for me to meet him and work under him.”

Celtic have been drawn to play West of Scotland League side Auchinleck Talbot away from the home in the fourth round of the Scottish Cup.

And it’s a tie that brings back some rough memories for McCowan.

He said: “It was the one game I highlighted before the draw because I still have a little of PTSD from it, I was part of the Ayr United team that were knocked out at Auchinleck Talbot.

“That one wasn’t a nice day for me, but hopefully it will be a bit nicer this time.”

McCowan was joined by teammate Auston Trusty to represent the Celtic Foundation at the Spirit Aird charity event in Glasgow on Monday.

The Spirit Aid is a Scottish humanitarian relief organisation dedicated to alleviating the suffering of children and young people whose lives have been affected by poverty, neglect, abuse, lack of opportunity, humanitarian crisis, or even blighted by war.

It is one of the beneficiaries of this year’s Celtic Foundation Christmas Appeal.

The Foundation has made a donation to help fund food parcels/gifts for local families across the city, with McCowan and Trusty helping out with packing and organising

The appeal, which distributed more than £40,000 to its beneficiaries last year, is currently ongoing with the aim of contributing to a wide range of great causes in advance of Christmas.