EURO RIVALS HAD BETTER LUKE OUT!

LUKE McCOWAN rode to Celtic’s rescue to avoid a flag day flop but insists they’ll be firing on all cylinders to clinch a return to Europe’s elite.

- By Ryan McDonald

The midfielder came off the bench to sink stuffy St Mirren with the only goal three minutes from the end of Sunday’s Premiership opener.

And with a favourable playoff draw handing his side a golden chance at Champions League qualification, McCowan insists they are ready to rise to the challenge.

Celtic discovered yesterday they’ll face Kairat Almaty or Slovan Bratislava for a place back at Europe’s top table.

Brendan Rodgers’ side dismantled the Slovaks 5-1 in last season’s Champions League opener.

And Almaty’s only European adventure was finishing fourth in their 2021-22 Conference League group.

But with £40million on the line, it’s still a nerve-racking two-legged shootout with no margin for error.

Rodgers knows his players will need to show a far more ruthless streak than they did against the Buddies.

And McCowan is adamant they’ll only get stronger.