Celtic are close to agreeing the signing of St Mirren attacking midfielder Lewis Morgan, according to Sky Sports.
The broadcaster claim on their website that the Scottish champions are close to striking a double deal for Morgan, 21, in January that would see him sign a contract to join the Hoops permanently and then return to the Saints on loan for the rest of the season.
Sky Sports report that St Mirren are “hopeful” that Morgan will stay with them on loan for the remainder of 2017-18 if, as expected, a deal is struck.
The Sun on Sunday (print edition, page 61, October 15, 2017) reported that Rangers were also interested in their former academy product, who quit Ibrox in 2013 to join St Mirren, but they are set to lose out to their bitter rivals.
The 21-year-old has been integral in St Mirren’s run to the top of the Scottish Championship this season, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.
Good move for Celtic?
Celtic have a lot of wingers on their books but lack depth on the left-hand side. which has been highlighted by the struggles of Scott Sinclair this season. Morgan is adept at playing in any of the attacking midfield roles but has featured more on the left for St Mirren and Scotland Under-21s. He is a goal scorer and goal creator, with his statistics this season evidence of why he is in such demand. He has scored 12 goals and supplied eight assists from 25 matches in all competitions. Morgan will need to develop and improve at Celtic, but has the basic skill set to be a major asset in the years to come.
This Is Futbol rating 6/10
Likely to happen?
This double deal appears to be all but done. Morgan is a rising star in Scottish football and is out of contract in the summer. St Mirren appear to have accepted the fact that he is destined to move on to bigger things, and are hopeful they have struck a deal in which he signs for Celtic but spends the rest of the season at the Scottish Championship outfit. That would seem to suit both parties, although there is the possibility that the season-ending injury for Johnny Hayes has muddied the waters a little. Nevertheless, expect an announcement imminently.
This Is Futbol rating 9/10