Kid has drive to make it
David Longwell saw all the things in Lewis Morgan that Rangers couldn’t and only had to fend off one club to secure him for St Mirren.
But he insists the 21-yearold’s work ethic and attitude will see him the rest of the way in the game af ter making the step up to Celtic.
The former St Mirren academy chief – now in charge of the entire youth operation at New York Red Bulls – watched Morgan shine with his skills amongst a squad of pro-youth rejects at an SFA exit trial.
He was let go by the Ibrox side at 16 because he was too wee but, f ive years on, Longwel l looks at his progress with pride.
Longwell said: “He was small, a really skinny wee guy, but at St Mirren we were looking for football players first and foremost.
“I liked what I saw but I think only us and Partick Thistle asked about him.
“We brought him in for couple of weeks and liked even more what we saw.
“He had two good feet, good athleticism despite his size, but there was a lot of development to come from him, you could see that.
“He’s from a very good family, he’s very respectful, great attitude - and he knew what work he had to do.
“One of things he had to work on was end product, his f inal ba l l and his finishing, and you see now how good both are.
“We did a lot of work with him but equally he went and did a lot by himself as well.”
Longwell took time to catch up with Morgan on a break from NYC over New Year. And he said: “When I saw Lewis score against Morton last week and his celebration in front of their fans, I was like ‘Oh…’!
“It shows the confidence in him now. He will handle it at Celtic because he has self-belief but no arrogance.
“I know his attitude to development. Playing with better players every day and working with someone like Brendan, it’s the next level for him. He’ll thrive on it.”
Yet, as Celtic gaffer, he has hit game No.97 despite being in the job for five months less. So no one has to convince the Hoops manager that Scotland’s winter break provides some welcome respite for him and his players.
It’s a break from the pressures of league action – and also the bleak Scottish winter of long, dark nights and gloomy days.
Rodgers is convinced last year’s January trip to Dubai was vital in helping the Hoops clinch an Invincible Treble.
He hopes the same break this time can yield similar results as Celtic head back to the Middle East this month.
And it’s the ideal chance for the champions to recharge their batteries, physically and mentally, before a tilt at the Premiership, Scottish Cup – and their Europa League tie against Zenit.
Rodgers said: “Dubai will be work for us. If you see any of our sessions, the players will be doing a lot of work.
“But it gives us the chance to reset and get in some really good coaching.
“That was the benefit of last year when you think where we’re at now. The Rangers game on December 30 was our 38th game.
“In Scotland or England, that’s a full league season. I had 96 games as manager of Swansea City but the Rangers game was my 97th as Celtic manager in a lot less time.
“It brought an end to an incredible year, an iconic one for the club.
“But this trip away allows us to reflect as a staff – and also to impose some of our ways, especially our defensive principles.
“The players will benefit from a bit of sun on their backs. That’s the case in life, not just football.
“Some Vitamin D normally cheers you up. When you live in Glasgow it’s like 50 shades of grey – it’s just which grey you get!
“So this breaks the cycle. The players have had a week away with their families