Source: Team_Talk
McGowan ready to fight for Hoops shirt
Paul McGowan is confident he will be able to challenge any new signings as he bids to hold down a first-team place at Celtic next season.[LNB] The striker, 22, refused to be farmed out on loan last summer and believes his stance paid off when was offered a two-year contract extension with the Hoops.[LNB]He knows Celtic will be keen to strengthen over the next few months following a disappointing campaign which saw them finish empty-handed, as well as parting company with manager Tony Mowbray after just nine months.[LNB]McGowan has already been given the backing of interim boss Neil Lennon and is determined to make the breakthrough in the forthcoming campaign no matter who he is up against for places.[LNB]"Now that I know I'm going to be here next season I just want to kick on," he said. "I know there will be new players coming in but it was the same last season when I was training with the reserves.[LNB]"I was asked last year if I wanted to go on loan and I said no.[LNB]"I fought and fought and the manager ended up saying he couldn't say no to me anymore.[LNB]"So if that's the case I know I can do it, I just need to wait for my chance."[LNB]McGowan has already had loans spells at both Morton and Hamilton in the past and finally broke into the Celtic first-team last December, going on to make six appearances in the Europa League and Scottish Premier League.[LNB]He also started in Tuesday night's friendly against St Pauli, as the Hoops triumphed 2-0.[LNB]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."[LNB]McGowan is now prepared to fight for that place, even though he is well aware of the task in front of him.[LNB]He added: "The first team is a much higher tempo than the reserves.[LNB]"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.[LNB]"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."
