Luke McCowan joined Celtic during the summer transfer window for a reported fee of £1million, despite interest from Hibernian on deadline day.
Now, the former sporting director of the Easter Road side's city rivals has outlined Hearts' prior interest in the midfielder, and has explained why the Tynecastle outfit bowed out of the race.
Speaking to Open Goal (via 67Hail Hail), former Hearts sporting director Joe Savage said it was Celtic's interest in the player – and the rising price tag as a result – that forced the Jambos to retire in their pursuit of the 26-year-old.
Savage said: “McCowan, he was one we were watching at Hearts thinking we might have had a sniff and a chance.
"[Hearts didn't see him] Probably because we heard that Celtic were hovering. We heard that they were in and around it. Considering it and not considering it.
"Then, in the end, we felt, I wouldn’t say our midfield three were better than Luke because I think Luke’s a good player. It probably cost us a lot of money as well. I think he ended up being like £1m. We can’t afford that at Hearts, certainly at the time."
Read more:
- Celtic Instant Analysis as McCowan and Johnston shine
- Why this Celtic standout cannot drop out of the team - video
McCowan did indeed sign for Celtic on deadline day, and the rest is history – the player having impressed just about every time he's entered the pitch under Brendan Rodgers.
That happened most recently last Sunday, when McCowan underscored a starting place in the manager's team with a goal.
Afterwards, the midfielder spoke to the media about his time at Celtic so far, his mental relationship with his football guru, and what he hopes to achieve from hereon in green and white.
Read that in full here: The Celtic steps Luke McCowan takes to cope with pressure.
