Celtic remain top of the Scottish Premiership, yet Martin O'Neill's side have spent much of the autumn searching for balance in midfield. Their 28 points from 12 league matches keep them four clear of Rangers , who have a game in hand, but the European campaign has been far less convincing. An early Champions League qualifying exit and a difficult Europa League run have exposed shortcomings in the squad, particularly when opponents press aggressively or attack the space around Callum McGregor.
That leaves O'Neill with a selection problem. McGregor remains central to Celtic's midfield, while Mika Baur has featured regularly since arriving in the summer. However, the departure of Arne Engels and loans for Paulo Bernardo and Odin Thiago Holm have reduced the available alternatives. Celtic need another midfielder who can protect the defence, win duels and help the team move the ball forward without losing its shape.
Luke McCowan has hardly offered a solution on the pitch lately. The 28-year-old has made eight appearances across all competitions this season, scoring once in the Premiership, but he has not started since September 20 and has played only six minutes since that date.
Despite Celtic's shortage of midfield options, O'Neill has rarely turned to him, leaving the former Dundee man on the fringes even after his return to recent matchday squads. The manager has publicly insisted that McCowan still has a future at Celtic Park.
Pete O'Rourke of Football Insider reported that Celtic would "open the door" to McCowan leaving in January if they first secure a replacement. O'Neill remains reluctant to lose squad members midway through the season, yet the club will consider a sale rather than keep a player who rarely features. McCowan's contract runs until 2028, with Celtic holding an option for another year.
STUTTGART, GERMANY – FEBRUARY 26: Luke McCowan of Celtic reacts during the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between VfB Stuttgart and Celtic FC at Stuttgart Arena on February 26, 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany. (Photo by Sebastian Widmann/Getty Images)
Celtic can accept a January departure, but only after a replacement has signed. Keeping McCowan as an unused option brings little benefit if O'Neill has no intention of giving him meaningful minutes, and a move could restore the regular football his career needs. Still, the club cannot afford to repeat the mistake of allowing midfield depth to disappear before recruitment catches up.
The summer loss of Engels, combined with Bernardo and Holm's loans, already leaves the squad short. McGregor cannot shoulder every defensive task through a demanding domestic and European schedule, while Baur and the remaining options need support. A new signing must bring strength, mobility and discipline, rather than simply another player comfortable in possession.
Celtic should therefore make the incoming deal the priority, not McCowan's exit. If the recruitment team identifies a genuine upgrade and completes the move early, the midfielder can leave without weakening O'Neill's options. If that signing stalls, keeping McCowan until summer is the safer call, even if his role remains frustratingly small.
