Luke McCowan lost for words about Celtic’s historic losing run

Luke McCowan admits he is avoiding friends and family because he does not know what to say in the wake of Celtic’s historic losing run.

Wilfried Nancy suffered a fourth defeat out of four games as Celtic manager when the William Hill Premiership champions lost 2-1 against Dundee United on Tuesday to consign them to their longest losing streak for 48 years.

McCowan is one of a number of players in the Celtic squad who were boyhood fans of the club and the 28-year-old cannot escape the pain.

“Most of the players that we’ve got in there know what it’s like to be part of a winning Celtic,” the former Ayr and Dundee player said. “And right now I can tell you first hand that it’s so, so sore.

“I actually get upset thinking about it because so many guys in there are fans as well.

“It’s so hard mate, I’ll be honest. Every single mate I’ve got and every member of family, I probably don’t even speak to them now, because I don’t actually know what to say.

“When football is your life and Celtic is your life, it’s so hard to escape.

“But it’s just about reacting well. It’s so hard to even put it into words but you just keep going. It’s so hard and not many players in that dressing room have gone through this. Even myself being at previous clubs, I’ve probably not gone through stuff like this.

“We just need to get behind each other and back each other.”

McCowan lined up as a left wing-back but drifted into midfield whenever Celtic had possession as Nancy tweaked his tactics.

The major change was Daizen Maeda occupying a left-wing position and that’s where Celtic were most productive as they dominated the opening half hour with the Japan international giving them the lead.

But they missed several good chances and it was no surprise that United got back into the game after producing some sustained pressure.

McCowan said: “The first half was the first time that we all felt it clicked and we’ve seen how much of a threat we can be

“We probably had three or four that we could have converted and then you kill the game off.

“But we know as a squad it just has to be better. The players in there know the level that this club needs to get to and we need to get back there.”

Nancy’s tactical approach has again come under scrutiny having allowed United 16 efforts at goal but McCowan stressed the players will be examining their own roles.

“First and foremost every player in that dressing room is going to be looking at themselves first, regardless of who the manager is,” he said.

“And then after that you can talk about certain styles of play, you can talk about whatever, but just as I said, as a collective we need to be better.”