Award-winner McGowan has no regrets at leaving Celtic

After picking up his Clydesdale Bank Premier League player of the month award for December, the 24-year-old midfielder claimed he has flourished since finally cutting his ties with the Parkhead club. He had loan spells at Morton, Hamilton and the Paisley club before moving permanently last summer.

McGowan said: “I told Celtic I wasn’t going out on loan again.

“It was either stay there and fight for my place or come to St Mirren and the chance was too good to turn down. I have no regrets. It was hard. I was quite down about it in the summer when it all came about but, as soon as I signed, it was a new chapter, a new start and I have never looked back.

“Neil Lennon said he would be sad to see me go but asked if it was the best move for me.

“I said yes. I am playing every week and it is benefiting me and benefiting the team. Don’t get me wrong, I learned so much at Celtic and I will be forever grateful. I’m a Celtic fan and I will never forget running out at Celtic Park. Coming here was a gamble but it’s paid off. I never doubted my ability but the way St Mirren play suits me. The manager gives me great belief in my ability and you can’t ask for more than that. You have to repay him on the pitch and thankfully I have done that more times than not.”

McGowan is the first Saints player to win the award since Andy Dorman in April 2009 and he noted the help from his team-mates. He said: “I was surprised. For a St Mirren player to win it shows just well the whole team have been doing and it has been great to play in it. It is the way we have been playing, we try to pass the ball and if we keep playing the way we have been playing, we can get into the top six.”