Sunderland manager Jack Ross will have to be patient in his pursuit of Celtic winger Lewis Morgan. Ross is reported to have revealed his desire to land the 21-year-old winger official, with the new Black Cats coach hoping to lure Morgan – who he coached at former club St Mirren – to Wearside on a season-long loan deal.
Celtic is still considering allowing him leave on loan but Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers will leave the decision making till mid-July in order to afford Morgan the opportunity to stake a claim for a place in Celtic’s first team, report the Scottish Sun.
Morgan is trailing behind the likes of Scott Sinclair and Ryan Christie in the pecking order. It means Ross will have to exercise patient or target other players. Morgan is highly-rated but has a lot of competition for a first team place at the Scottish giants who claimed the domestic treble last season. Ross spoke highly of Morgan at his official unveiling as the new boss of Sunderland last week.
“Because I coached first, I quickly realised how much I enjoyed that and the buzz I got from it and the reaction I got from the players,” said Ross.
“From my spell at Hearts, there was a lot of young players there now playing in their first team. “That satisfaction from seeing players get better and to then move on to St Mirren; a player like Lewis Morgan, for example, over a period of 18-months has gone on such an upward trajectory, he has always had the natural ability. “Players here will have it, he developed a mindset, a confidence and a steeliness that has taken him to a different level. “That is the biggest challenge, how you take a strong academy here, take the players from the 18 to 21 bracket and give them the next bit.
“That is the hardest part, that transition from promising young player to proper professional and one that can have a long career.”
Celtic acquired 21-year-old Morgan in January and immediately sent him back on loan to Ross’ Saints where he finished the campaign in an impressive manner as St Mirren won the Scottish Champions, his form earned him a call-up to the Scotland national team. He made his international debut as a late substitute in the 2-0 defeat in Lima.