Celtic‘s sheer dominance in Scottish football was reflected in their ‘double treble’ win over past two seasons under Brendan Rodgers’ managerial stint even after age-old rival Rangers‘ resurgence to the top tier. The former Liverpool gaffer, however, is likely to expect a bigger challenge this term as the Light Blues have appointed Steven Gerrard as their new boss.
Gerrard, the iconic Liverpool and England midfield general, spent the final years of his glorious playing career in Merseyside under Rodgers but is now set to try his luck in senior management following an impressive spell with Liverpool u18s.
The Hoops already possess a squad superior to their Premiership counterparts but strengthened themselves further in the last few transfer windows. They struck a long-term deal for St. Mirren starlet Lewis Morgan in January before sending the young winger back to the Championship outfit for the rest of the previous season.
Morgan netted 14 goals and assisted 9 times in 35 league games and played a massive part in promoting the Buddies to Premiership under Jack Ross who has been appointed as the manager of the League One side Sunderland very recently. The Black Cats were a Premier League force a couple of seasons back but successive relegations brought them down to the third tier and the 41-year-old Scotsman has now accepted the challenge of restoring the lost pride of the Wearside outfit.
Ross, reportedly, is keen on bringing in Lewis Morgan on a season-long loan deal to the Stadium of Light but has to wait for Rodgers’ decision on the player. Whether the Hoops boss views Morgan as his first-team option or believes a loan term similar to Ryan Christie to Aberdeen might help the youngster flourishing further for regular minutes at Parkhead will determine of Ross gets Morgan or not.
Morgan’s blistering form earned him his maiden senior cap for Alex McLeish’s Scotland against Peru a few days back and the former Rangers academy prodigy holds a bright future with arch-rivals Celtic in near future. The champions might expect several exits this summer as wingman Scott Sinclair has been linked with a return to Premier Leauge football and Patrick Roberts is unlikely to return to Celtic Park again upon completion of his two-and-a-half years loan spell.
Versatile Callum McGregor did exceptionally well in a makeshift role, but the gaffer must promote Morgan next season down the left-hand flank for his enormous talent, outrageous skills and excellence in front of goal.
The Scotsman is 21-year-old but has made 118 senior appearances already for St Mirren and is experienced enough to settle in and continue his scintillating run of form for Celtic as well. Rodgers has always groomed the young talents and encouraged them to shine with a handful of senior minutes week in week out. He is likely to invest further in strengthening the squad but must keep Morgan in his plans and provide him opportunities before drawing a conclusion. He is Scotland’s one of the brightest prospects and should be included in the Celtic squad.
