Celtic star states best position for Wilfried Nancy's team after different role under previous boss

McCowan, 28, has struggled to nail down a regular place in the Celtic starting XI since arriving at the club from Dundee 18 months ago. And under Nancy, who took over last week, he played 32 minutes as a substitute against Hearts before being left on the bench against Roma on Thursday.

Celtic lost both of those matches and Nancy has said that he may rotate his squad for Sunday’s Premier Sports Cup final against St Mirren as he battles injuries and fatigued players.

Such a move may play into McCowan’s favour, who started caretaker boss Martin O’Neill’s final three matches in an unfamiliar wide right role. And if he is called upon, the former Ayr man is champing at the bit to take his chance.

Asked where he prefers to play, McCowan said: “Probably in the middle, just anywhere really. I played in the middle and that got me here. But if the manager asks me to play wide or at the back or up top, I'm not fussed.

“I played wide under Martin, but I'll be honest with myself, I don't think I put the best performances in. I was just lucky enough to help the team go and win games. That was probably what their message even to me was at that time. But I got myself here by playing centre mid and that’s probably my best position.

“But as I said, play me anywhere. I'll give you my all really, I just want to be out there helping the team. I want to always be helping the boys, especially when we're going through a couple of bad results.

McCowan wants to his chance

“It's easy to be a part of the team when it's winning and everybody's happy, smiles, high fives and that. But when you're going through a bad spell, you need guys around the place that are going to lift you and keep you motivated and keep pushing you.

“So me as a person, I just need to keep doing that, even if I'm not playing. And I will continue to do that. So I just need to hope when I'm in there, I can make an impact.”

McCowan watched on from the stands last year when Celtic won the Premier Sports Cup on penalties against Rangers as he was cup-tied due to featuring in the earlier rounds with Dundee.

“Hopefully I'm not watching again,” said McCowan. “But I’m just excited to be a part of it this time and actually be on the bench, or starting. It's just about being able to have the opportunity to help the guys go and lift the trophy and get the performance we need to win the game.

“Credit to Cal [McGregor, captain] and stuff, they made sure the guys that even weren't on the bench or in the squad or whatever were part of it, right on the pitch with us and on the stand lifting the trophy. But it gives you that extra motivation this time to make sure that we defend our trophy.

“But last year, I couldn't watch it, it was horrible. Especially because at that point I got to know everyone and you're properly part of it. You're not just a fan watching or whatever. It was horrible to watch.

“I was just wanting to be out there and helping them and wanting to be part of it so I could chip in with stuff during the game. I'm glad that I'm able to do that this year.”