McGowan vows to make Celtic waves

Paul McGowan insists he has no intention of simply making up the numbers at Celtic next season.

The striker recently signed a two-year contract extension and is keen to hold down a regular first-team place in the forthcoming campaign.

The 22-year-old has already earned the backing of interim boss Neil Lennon and believes he can hold his own against established players and any new summer recruits.

He said: “The first team is a much higher tempo than the reserves.

“It’s a lot harder but my aim was always to push into the first-team squad and now that I’m there I don’t want to just be a squad player.

“I’m not the kind of player who likes to sit back and play the odd game, I want to try and push and push for my place.”

He told Celtic’s official website: “Neil Lennon told me I was well-loved at the club and he wants me to try and establish myself, so he has reassured me there is definitely a place for me here.”

McGowan has already had loan spells at both Morton and Hamilton in the past and rejected the opportunity to be farmed out again this time last year.

And he believes his stubborn stance paid off after forcing his way into the senior team in December and going on to make six appearances in the second half of the season.

He was also named in the starting line-up as Celtic triumphed with a 2-0 win over St Pauli in a friendly on Tuesday night.

“Now that I know I’m going to be here next season I just want to kick on,” said McGowan.

“I know there will be new players coming in but it was the same last season when I was training with the reserves.

“I was asked last year if I wanted to go on loan and I said no.

“I fought and fought and the manager ended up saying he couldn’t say no to me anymore.

“So if that’s the case I know I can do it, I just need to wait for my chance.”