WORDS DON'T COME EASY

McCowan admits he can barely talk to Hoops-mad family and friends as Celts continue to spiral

- GRAEME YOUNG

LUKE McCOWAN admits the strain of Celtic's rotten form has left him distanced from those closest to him - and says he has no answers to offer them for his team's woes.

The 28-year-old cut a dejected figure at the final whistle after the 2-1 William Hill Premiership defeat to Dundee United at Tannadice on Wednesday. He could barely comprehend events following the champions' collapse to a fourth consecutive defeat under Wilfried Nancy.

McCowan admits his Celtic-daft family have been left reeling, with Scottish football's dominant force being reduced to a pale imitation of their former selves.

Nancy was met with brutal chants as Hoops fans told the 48-year-old where to go at full-time as they pined for the return of former interim Martin O'Neill.

But McCowan's ire comes from within and he admits he's been unable to explain his boyhood club's dramatic downturn to those who matter most to him.

McCowan - who started in the left wingback berth at Tannadice said: "It's so hard, I'll be honest. Every single mate I've got and every member of my family, I probably don't even speak to them now.