Celtic midfielder Luke McCowan relishing chance to experience the aura of Martin O’Neill daily

Boyhood Celtic fan Luke McCowan is revelling in the chance to experience the “aura” of Martin O’Neill on a daily basis.

McCowan started as Celtic beat Kilmarnock 4-0 on Saturday in O’Neill’s fourth game in interim charge along with Shaun Maloney.

The 27-year-old was only seven when O’Neill ended his spell in charge of Celtic but he is well aware of the former Northern Ireland international’s history with the club.

When asked what O’Neill had brought to the role, McCowan said: “I mean, it’s Martin O’Neill at the end of the day. He’s got that aura and brings that motivating factor of what it means to play for this club, as did the previous manager as well.

“He just brings that different kind of speech before a game and just puts full belief in everybody that’s in a squad and is really, really forward to everybody as well. He just tells you how it is.

“The guys know in the dressing room that they are all valued and we need to use that because the season’s long and, as you’re seeing, left, right and centre, we’re getting injuries everywhere, and it’s about squad players coming up and stepping up when they can.”

McCowan could not quite believe what was happening when O’Neill was installed as a temporary replacement for Brendan Rodgers.

“I thought I was in a time machine,” he said. “It’s kind of been like that even like Jota coming back as well and Kieran (Tierney) coming back. You’re kind of like ‘what the heck’s going on here?’

“And when he came in, all I could think about was the UEFA Cup final, what did he say in the dressing room? And lucky enough, I could just ask Shaun.

“But no, it’s been amazing. As I said, he’s got that aura and almost legendary status at this club. So fair play to him coming back and helping us out when we kind of needed it.”

McCowan admitted his father had been “pestering” him with questions for O’Neill, who won seven trophies during his five-year reign.

The former Ayr United and Dundee player is yet to pass them on though.

“I’m too scared,” he said. “I’m going to wait. It’s too serious at the moment. We’re all focusing on games.”

There remains doubt about how long O’Neill and Maloney will remain in charge.

The Northern Irishman was initially anticipating some progress in Celtic’s recruitment hunt during the international break and revealed he would take some time to himself while awaiting instructions.

A new favourite for the job has emerged in the form of Frenchman Wilfried Nancy, who has had success in Major League Soccer with Columbus Crew.

Bodo/Glimt head coach Kjetil Knutsen also remains in the picture, given the ongoing uncertainty over his future beyond the end of the year.

McCowan said: “Obviously different managers come in with slightly different styles.

“But we know the positive performances come from us first. The attitude comes from us, the mentality comes from us. So we just need to keep pushing that.

“I’m sure if we do, we’ll keep charging on and hopefully get more positive results like Sunday.”