CATS TARGET MORGAN ENJOYS CELTIC DEBUT
FORMER ST MIRREN MAN, LINKED WITH SUNDERLAND, HELPS RODGERS’ SIDE TO VICTORY
Lewis Morgan, linked with a potential loan with Sunderland, made his Celtic debut last night.
The winger played the first 45 minutes as the Scottish treble winners kicked off their pre-season programme with a 1-0 win at Austrian club Vorwarts Steyr.
A superbly-worked James Forrest strike did the damage and Morgan, who formerly played for Sunderland boss Jack Ross at St Mirren, said: “To pull on the jersey for the first time and get 45 minutes under my belt was great.
“It’s been a long time coming – it was good to get a wee run-out. Training’s completely different to games and it’s about showing your level in games, but you’ve got to do it in training too.
“Broony’s (captain Scott Brown) helped me through the game. They were difficult to break down and the pitch was a bit sticky, but these are the conditions that we’re going to be playing in in the coming weeks.
“It’s massive that you’re keeping that winning mentality going.”
Brendan Rodgers’ men are preparing for their Champions League qualifiers, which start in a fortnight against Alashkert.
Dutch giants Ajax have snapped up Southampton midfielder Dusan Tadic for an undisclosed fee, reportedly £10million.
The Serbian international, 29, scored 23 goals in over 160 appearances during a four-year spell with Saints.
Saints signed him for £10.9million in July 2014 from Twente, and he was instrumental in helping secure a sixth-placed finish in the Premier League in 2016.
Southampton have rewarded goalkeeper Alex McCarthy for the key role he played in last season’s successful survival bid with a new four-year contract.
The 28-year-old did not make his first Premier League appearance of the season until December 30 but went on to keep seven clean sheets in 18 league games, helping the south coast side beat the drop by three points.
Boss Mark Hughes enthused: “His performances last season speak for themselves. We believe Alex is very much in the right place to continue to grow and improve his game.”
McCarthy, who had just 12 months remaining on his previous contract, said: “I think the club is going in the right direction.”
Club legend Alan Curtis has rejoined Swansea City’s coaching staff as assistant to new boss Graham Potter. ExWales international Curtis, 64, stepped down from the coaching team in January 2017, following the arrival of Paul Clement as manager.
Juventus have signed Portuguese full-back Joao Cancelo from Valencia for £35.5million.