Brendan’s three deals, Morgan’s homecoming and a homesick rumour

BRENDAN RODGERS revealed today that Celtic are closing in on announcing three contract extensions for Celtic stars Scott Brown, Leigh Griffiths and James Forrest.

“We are pretty close on Leigh. He clearly wants to be here, we want him to be here, so that will be good news. We think that is not too far away,” Brendan said on his Number 9. Moving on to his inspirational skipper, the Celtic manager had this news.

“Scott has made it clear he wants to be here and I am sure there will be a deal done pretty soon on that. He is quite relaxed about it. He knows what we think of him here at the club, so, hopefully, that will be done,” he said, before moving on to the Celtic right winger, Forrest.

“James and his people will be speaking with the club and likewise a player we would love to extend here because he has been absolutely brilliant in my time.”

Is it only us that’s heard that home-sickness can result in a much sooner than expected move ‘home’?

Meanwhile on the other side of the Erskine Bridge, Lewis Morgan will return ‘home’ to St Mirren on Friday evening as part of the Celtic squad on the hunt for three points and a few goals that could take the champions to the top of the league ahead of Hearts’ trip to Fir Park on Saturday.

The winger has been injured recently but is close to being ready to challenge for a place in the Celtic squad.

“I feel fit now that I’m back so hopefully by the time the St Mirren game comes along I can play a part,” Morgan said. “I’m approaching 100 per cent now and it felt good to play a bounce game behind closed doors last week.

“I have fond memories of being at St Mirren. I had ups and downs during my time there but the last season I was there was great. I know they’ve gone through a turbulent start to the season, so I’m sure they’ll be looking for a reaction as well. It’ll be weird going back but it’s something I’m looking forward to,” the ex-Saint stated.

Morgan is hopeful that he will get a warm reception from both sets of supporters of Friday.

“It would be nice to get a good a reception. I think for the most part the fans took to me. I’m sure, as is the case anywhere, that there are people who think I should have done things differently, but I’d imagine I’ll get a good reception but it’s not something I’m going to worry about.”

Morgan, who was speaking to The Celtic View, also said a word or two in praise of his former boss Jack Ross who is now manager at Sunderland.

“I was happy for my old gaffer, Jack Ross, in that he got his well-deserved moved. Sunderland’s a massive club and I’m sure he’ll get things going in the right direction there. I loved my time playing under him and I’m sure the boys at St Mirren were hoping he’d stay but you can’t stand in his way. He’s being doing well down there and it’s good to see.

“The squad’s completely changed since I was there. I enjoy playing against any opponent really. There’s still the same core of boys there who will know me well and will know how I like to play so that’ll be a good challenge if I do get some minutes under my belt.”

“The last manager came in and changed quite a lot. I suppose that’s fair enough as different managers have different philosophies, but it didn’t seem to work out for them. They’re going to be looking for a reaction now so they’ll be taking that up a notch, and when you play a club like Celtic opponents find another level.

“They have a great support and it is a great club. Hopefully they do well this year but you have to produce things on the pitch to get the fans behind you. That’s something the boys at St Mirren will try to do in order to get that good backing they had last year.”