Celtic’s future captain? An early prediction — but no pressure, Luke!

Callum will be our captain for years to come but we’ll soon need to prepare a successor

It's the international break, there's no real football, so it's time for nitwits and fools to indulge in idle speculation.

Here I go. Something that's been on my mind recently is who will follow Callum McGregor in taking the captain's armband when Callum finally hangs up his boots.

Hopefully, that's years away but, unlike the last few years of Scott Brown's captaincy, when Callum was the obvious candidate, there are few players who look to be both suitable and likely to be at Celtic in around four years time, when Callum will likely be ready to move on.

Step forward, our new midfield signing, Luke McCowan. Celtic through and through, 26 and with an impressive attitude as his most recent press conference demonstrated, we might just be looking at the man right now.

Now, I’m not saying McCowan’s ready for the captaincy any time soon—he hasn’t even played a full game for Celtic yet—but there’s something about his attitude that makes you wonder.

In his recent press conference, he came across as a player with not only ambition but a solid, grounded mindset. At 26, he’s the right age to grow into a leadership role, and would be around 30 when Callum would likely be winding down so the timing might just align.

Of course, we’re talking about potential, not guarantees. McCowan still has to prove himself on the pitch and show he’s not just a solid squad addition but someone who can inspire and lead.

But the fact that he’s a true Celtic man, combined with his previous captaincy experience at Dundee, makes him a name worth keeping in mind when we look to the future.

It was also notable that Luke left Dundee with the universal good wishes of his club, coaches teammates and fans. That's a rare occurrence and it speaks to a solid character.

Listening to him talking, Brendan Rodgers must have been beaming, as he said everything you expect of a new signing, humble but confident, focussed on working hard, learning from everyone around him and doing whatever it takes to make the most of his opportunity.

There’s always a need to plan for the long-term leadership at Celtic and the captain’s role is more than just wearing the armband; it’s about embodying the spirit of the club, guiding players, and maintaining the standards set by legends like Callum and Scott. 

Greg Taylor might be another candidate, but with McCowan’s age, attitude, and work ethic, he’s certainly one to watch as the years progress.

For a Celtic man at heart, the ultimate reward for Luke could just be the bhoy's own dream.--