Paul McGowan

Paul McGowan (born 7 October 1987) is a Scottish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Cove Rangers.

McGowan started his career with Scottish Premier League club Celtic, but struggled to break into the first team and was sent out on loan several times.

He spent the 2006–07 season with third-tier side Morton, where he won the Second Division title and received individual accolades.

McGowan was loaned out to Greenock Morton for the 2006–07 season.

He played as a striker for Morton and scored a total of 16 goals in 44 competitive matches.

During his spell at Cappielow, McGowan won the Scottish Football League's young player of the month award for January 2007.

He was the club's top scorer and received a winner's medal as Morton won the Scottish Second Division.

He was chosen to the 'Team of the year' in the Second Division and 3rd place in the 'Player of the Year' award.

Morton failed to land the player in the summer transfer window when their bid – approaching a six-figure sum – was rejected.

McGowan made his Celtic debut in a 5–0 win over Inverness Caledonian Thistle in September 2007, where he came on as a substitute.

It was his only appearance of the season.

Having made only two appearances following his return to Celtic, he spent the second half of the 2008–09 season with Hamilton Academical in the SPL.

He scored his first goal for Celtic on 7 August 2008 in a pre-season friendly against Manchester City at Celtic Park.

He had the chance to score another to win the match, but his shot hit the crossbar and the game ended 1–1.

McGowan made his UEFA Champions League debut against Villarreal on 10 December 2008, as a 75th-minute substitute for Aiden McGeady.

Celtic won the match 2–0 but finished bottom of their group, and once again McGowan did not appear for the club again during that campaign.

At the end of the 2008–09 season, his loan spell came to an end.

McGowan was loaned out to SPL side Hamilton Academical at the beginning of the January 2009 transfer window, and started his first game with an assist for Chris Swailes in the 1–0 win over Ross County in the Scottish Cup.

His first goal for the club came on 21 February 2009 in a 2–1 win over Falkirk, scoring from 10 yards out.

In the 2009–10 season, McGowan became part of the Celtic first team squad under manager Tony Mowbray.

On 17 December 2009, just over a year to the day of his European bow, McGowan made his Europa League debut in a 3–3 draw away to Rapid Vienna; he made an impact in the 91st minute by scoring his first competitive goal for the Hoops to complete a comeback from 3–0 down to draw 3–3.

He moved on loan to another SPL side, St Mirren, for the 2010–11 season, after which Celtic released him from his contract and he signed with St Mirren permanently.

On 24 January 2010, McGowan made an impressive display when he provided assists for both Marc-Antoine Fortuné and Paddy McCourt, as Celtic made a comeback from 1–0 down to win 4–1 against St Johnstone.

On 29 April 2010, he signed a two-year contract with Celtic.

Having signed the new deal, McGowan stated in May 2010 that he expected to make more appearances in the first team in the near future, but in fact he had already made his final appearance for the club the previous week.

In July 2010, McGowan was again sent out on loan, this time to St Mirren.

He made his league debut for the club in the opening game of the 2010–11 season, a 1–1 draw against Dundee United on 14 August 2010.

He scored his first competitive goal for the Buddies in a Scottish League Cup match against Ross County – St Mirren lost in the penalty-shootout when the tie ended 2–2 after normal time and 3–3 after extra-time.

In September 2010, McGowan received a straight red card for an off-the-ball violent incident involving Manuel Pascali of Kilmarnock, which was spotted by the referee.

He was then observed to make a rude hand gesture at opposing fans who had been taunting him.

After the match, McGowan apologised for his actions, while his manager Danny Lennon stated a fine would be considered once video evidence had been reviewed.

After missing one game, he made his return from suspension on 25 September and scored his first goal, in a 2–1 loss against Inverness Caledonian Thistle.

In December 2011 he won the SPL player of the month award, and won the Scottish League Cup with the club in 2013.

In January 2011, McGowan scored the first hat-trick of his career in a 6–1 win over Peterhead in a fourth round replay in the Scottish Cup.

Lennon described McGowan as a "threat", who needed to rise above difficult treatment, advising him to learn from the attitude of Lionel Messi.

Throughout the season, he played a total of 39 matches and scored 6 goals in all competitions for St Mirren.

Danny Lennon converted McGowan from a striker to a central attacking midfielder with the role of playmaker during this period.

He joined Dundee in June 2014 and would become a mainstay and a key player for the side throughout his 9-year tenure there, making over 300 appearances for the Dark Blues.

He would join Dunfermline Athletic on loan in 2023 and would earn winner's medals for both the Scottish Championship and the Scottish League One in the same season.

McGowan came through the youth system at Celtic, at which time he was considered primarily to be a striker.