Morgan reckons he can see route to first team Christie clear...
CELTIC Ex-St Mirren winger dismisses talk of loan deals but aims to
LEWIS Morgan accepted an apology from Hearts’ Peter Haring on Saturday afternoon after taking a substantial kick but if the winger gets his way there will be a few more bruises to show.
The former St Mirren player has had to settle for a place on the fringes of Brendan Rodgers’ side since his arrival from Paisley but is looking to follow the example of Ryan Christie and take his chance whenever it comes.
Christie is on the brink of agreeing a new deal with the club after impressing in recent games and the playmaker’s patience in waiting on the opportunity has not been lost on Morgan.
“I am happy for Ryan,” said Morgan. “He has done really well in the last few games.
“He has trained well. He has bid his time and that is something I hope will come my way. It is frustrating not playing but the team are doing well and it is a team game.
“You want to help out but you have to be patient, as Ryan was. And now he is doing really well. He has deserved his place and hopefully he will remain there.
“I don’t think it is now or never. I am 22 so I have got 10 or 15 years ahead of me so I don’t put that pressure on myself.
“What I do is come in and work hard and try to show the manager why I should be in the team. And, when that chance does come, I will be in a position where I can take it.
“I am not looking to go out on loan. I am looking to go out and play.
“I am just focusing on the games coming up. We have been doing really well and we are hoping to keep it going.
“I think we have nine games in December. I am hoping I get my chance no matter what. I don’t want to be put in because of injuries. I am trying to show every day why I should be playing.
“The team is doing really well, which is the most important thing, but if I can come on and influence things then hopefully I will see where that takes me.”
Morgan was handed a starting jersey for the Europa League game in Germany against Leipzig almost a fortnight ago as Celtic lost to the Bundesliga side.
They host Leipzig tomorrow night in a game they realistically need to win if they are to keep their qualification hopes alive.
Certainly, there is a feeling in Rodgers’ squad that the game is coming along at the right time. The Parkhead side have hit their best form of the season, in domestic terms at least, in recent weeks with their last three outings bringing forth 13 goals without replay.
And Morgan believes there will be an open element to the game tomorrow at Celtic Park that will suit the Hoops.
“We were always aware our home games would be important and this one is always tough and anything you get is a bonus. But you’ve seen in the past that Celtic Park can be a massive asset for us on the night.
“We’re in good form and so are they. So it should be some game.
“Domestically, we’re used to having to break teams down but we need to approach games differently in Europe because the standard of the opposition is higher but we definitely have enough to get the win.
“We showed in patches over there that we were a match for them and we’re full of confidence.
“It was an open encounter in Leipzig and I think they have a similar style to us so it should be an entertaining contest.”
Morgan was barely in the door at Celtic Park this summer than he was linked with a reunion with Jack Ross, who had just taken over the Sunderland post.
It was, the winger stressed, a move that was never on the radar either on loan or otherwise.
“It was paper talk,” said the winger. “I never heard anything about that. When I came in I didn’t want to go anywhere else so that was never a possibility. I am here and I want to try to fight for my place at this club.
“The demands that are put upon us and the intensity of training is higher than what I was used to before.
“It is a team of winners in there and the expectation levels has risen. Training with the calibre of player brings you on and with the staff that we have got here they are experienced and know what they are talking about.
“Working with all of them has been really beneficial to me.”
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