Reports: Celtic Block Stoke City Move for Attacker

Celtic have blocked a move from Stoke City for Lewis Morgan according to the Daily Record. Head of Football Operations Nicky Hammond has told Michael O’Neill that the 23-year-old will not be available to join the Potters on loan for the second half of the season.

Morgan joined Celtic in January 2018 from St Mirren before being loaned back to the Buddies but has struggled to make his mark at Celtic Park, resulting in a loan move to Sunderland in the second half of last season.

This season, Morgan has featured as a makeshift centre-forward due to Odsonne Edouard’s injury as well as absences to Leigh Griffiths and Bayo. A goal against Rennes in his first outing in his new role suggested their might be some promise up front. However, an underwhelming performance in the League Cup final versus Rangers saw question marks over how much Morgan could offer the side.

Whether or not Morgan starts against Hibs remains to be seen, however, if a move materialises that is beneficial to both parties to give Morgan game time, then Celtic should look into it. At the moment, Morgan needs to stay as an option for Neil Lennon but when the team go to Dubai and the management can review their options, Morgan’s future needs to be addressed depending on comings and goings.

Here’s Morgan’s goal against Rennes in the Europa League match.