Former Hearts sporting director Joe Savage explores why Tynecastle club skipped on Luke McCowan...

Luke McCowan joined Celtic

Now, the former sports director of the Easter Road club’s local rivals has revealed Hearts’ previous interest in the midfielder and explained why the Tynecastle outfit withdrew from the contest.

Former Hearts sports director Joe Savage told Open Goal (via 67Hail Hail) that Celtic’s interest in the player, along with the escalating price tag, prompted the Jambos to end their pursuit of the 26-year-old.

Savage said: “McCowan was one of the players we were keeping an eye on at Hearts, believing we would have a sniff and a chance.

“[Hearts did not see him.] Probably because we heard Celtic was lurking. We heard that they were inside and surrounding it. Considering and not considering it.

“Then, in the end, we thought, and I wouldn’t say our midfield three were better than Luke because I believe Luke is a terrific player. It likely cost us a lot of money as well. I believe he ended up being worth around £1 million. We couldn’t afford that at Hearts, especially at the moment.Despite interest from Hibernian on deadline day, he signed during the summer transfer window for a reported amount of £1 million.

McCowan signed for Celtic on deadline day and has consistently excelled under Brendan Rodgers.

That happened most recently last Sunday, when McCowan scored to solidify his spot on the manager’s roster.

Following the game, the midfielder spoke with the media about his time at Celtic, his mental relationship with his football coach, and what he intends to achieve in green and white going forward.

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