EXCLUSIVE
MARK HENDRY
LEWIS MORGAN would be the perfect fit for Inter Miami – because his winning mentality could help forge the new club’s culture.
That’s the view of former St Mirren assistant manager Mark Spalding, who worked alongside the winger before his move to Parkhead in 2018.
David Beckham’s new venture is less than two years old and the MLS outfit are yet to play their first game. In fact, they are still trying to put together a squad capable of fighting it out at the top of the league. Spalding, 34, has been working as technical director at Global Premier Soccer in the US and understands the game more than most on the other side of the world. And he believes Miami signing a Celtic player who already knows how to win silverware would be massive for soccer’s new boys and their desire to become the biggest and best in the US.
“It’s exciting for Lewis,” Spalding said. “Albeit it might be a bit left-field in terms of what constitutes a normal move in Scotland these days. American clubs have been, in recent times, looking at players of a similar age and experience level to Lewis.
“I think Inter Miami are looking at younger players who can come in and make an impact. You look at others who have come over – Chris Cadden, Johnny Russell, Gary MackaySteven, even Sam Nicholson. There’s a precedent been set.
“Inter Miami have been in preparation for a while, looking at managers and players. They’ll have been looking to build a roster with a certain style of player and Lewis has obviously come across the desk and they’re interested. I think it’s very exciting.
“He’ll know the expectations and he’ll have a winning mentality. Miami are bringing someone in who is a winner.
“Having David Beckham involved is incredible, that’s exciting enough. They’re trying to sell season tickets for a team who have never kicked a ball before. They need big players and signings to do that.”
Morgan, 23, has made 18 appearances for Celtic this season so far, including starts against Rangers in the Betfred Cup final and at Parkhead against Rennes in the Europa League where he scored.
Leaving a club like Celtic would be a massive decision, one that Morgan would not be expected to take lightly. But Spalding is sure his former star man would be a smash-hit in America – because he’d get fans on their feet.
“Leaving a club like Celtic where he played in a cup final and he’s played in Europe is interesting,” Spalding added. “You’d be surprised by the number of people aware of Celtic and Rangers.
“The American audience like players like Lewis. He’ll excite the fans the way he plays, the energy he brings, his pace. He can create and score goals, that’s what they’re looking for.
“Lewis has always been tough. Through his youth career he had some disappointments but he showed a lot of resilience. He was always one of those players who stepped up. He’s a Scotland internationalist. He’s handled that. They’re very big in America on personality.”
A reported £300,000 offer has been tabled by Miami and that, Spalding says, is a mark of the player that they have sounded him out. “He wasn’t a free-agent,” Spalding said.
“He’s been identified, the club has gone and opened up a line of communication with Celtic.
“He’s clearly someone they’ve invested their time and effort into trying to sign him.”
TOMMY WRIGHT expects to hold on to Matty Kennedy until the end of the season.
The St Johnstone winger has signed a pre-contract deal with Aberdeen, but the Perth club have rebuffed two bids to take the winger to Pittodrie this month.
Northern Ireland squad man Kennedy missed out on the Saints’ 3-0 Scottish Cup win over Morton at the weekend, so he hasn’t been cup-tied.
But Wright dismissed speculation that his absence had anything to do with the interest.
“Matty took a kick on his ankle in training last week and didn’t recover in time to play,” explained Wright.
“The conspiracy theorists will think he was left out because it was the cup but they don’t know Matty. He’s genuine and wants to play in every game.
“The first thing he said when he came in this morning was about getting Ayr in the next round of the Scottish Cup. He’s desperate to play in that one because he’s from there and he said that was the tie he’d been hoping for. So that tells you everything about what type of lad he is.”
Wright, while keen to keep the services of forward on Tayside, isn’t ruling out another bid from Aberdeen.
“I have been quite clear that I don’t want him to go in this window and have told the club that,” Wright added. “But I do know everyone has their price.
“At this stage there hasn’t been an agreement between Aberdeen and us.
“Derek has been really good. He’s one of the managers who is on the phone keeping you up to date with stuff in these situations.
“He’s been great about it. We spoke over the weekend but Matty is still very much our player.
“I don’t think this will drag on to the end of the window. It will get to the point where Aberdeen will say this won’t happen or we get to the stage where we think we have to do something.”
Gordon Bannerman