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Luke McCowan’s goal for Celtic against Stuttgart was more than just a well-taken finish.
It was also the only goal from Celtic’s first-ever win in Germany, and Stuttgart’s first home defeat of the season to a team not named Bayern Munich.
After just 27 seconds, it was the Hoops’ earliest goal of the season. It will give Martin O’Neill a decision to make in this weekend’s showdown at Ibrox.
But the significance doesn’t end there.
McCowan has often played out of position on the wing this season 🙃
It’s time he was given more of a chance in his natural role. Tell me if you agree ⏬
Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Widmann Celtic set record with Luke McCowan vs Stuttgart
Via Opta, Celtic have now scored more goals in the first minute of European matches than any other club.
They’ve now done it eight times, with Henrik Larsson, Kenny Dalglish and Willie Wallace among those to have done it before.
READ MORE: History maker Luke McCowan says Celtic did themselves proud in Stuttgart win
Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images
They last did it in the Champions League away at Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 through Moussa Dembele, but the less said about how that game went, the better.
McCowan’s goal was just his third of the season, and his first in Europe. It was just his second ever European start, after Feyenoord in November.
He has rarely been trusted on the European stage; it’s worth noting that Brendan Rodgers gave him just 54 of 1110 possible minutes in the Champions League.
He has spent much of this season out of position, firstly as a makeshift right-winger in O’Neill’s first interim spell before becoming a wing-back in what must be the wackiest back-five of all time under Wilfried Nancy.
The goal wasn’t enough to prevent Celtic’s European exit, ensuring a 22nd straight year without a knockout win after Christmas.
It was O’Neill himself who last achieved one in 2004- but will the Irishman trust McCowan in this weekend’s must-not-lose game at Ibrox?
Celtic’s Europa League run comes to an end despite the win against Stuttgart 🥲
But who gets your man of the match from that spirited performance?
Luke McCowan reacts to his Celtic goal vs Stuttgart
Asked about starting more games after the win, McCowan said: “100%, [I want to be part of this]. When I’m given my chance, I’ve got to try and take it.
“I don’t know what the seconds were. 29? So that’s a good way to start. I need to get myself in for the bigger games.
“I need to keep myself right, mentally focused and be prepared.”
The midfielder was everywhere in Thursday’s second-leg, but where he will be at 12 noon on Sunday is not in his hands…
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