Why sending Lewis Morgan to Aberdeen makes perfect sense for Celtic

CELTIC will send Lewis Morgan out on loan this month but NOT to his old team St Mirren, who are the visitors to Celtic Park tomorrow night.

The winger might end up at Hibs but it is possibly more likely that he will be Pittodrie bound to attempt to follow the same route that Ryan Christie used to win a regular starting place at Celtic.

Yesterday Brendan Rodgers explained that the club want Morgan to go out on loan for the rest of this season to get game-time but that the player himself would prefer a new destination rather than a return to St Mirren.

“We’ve spoken about the idea of going on loan but he has a number of possibilities.

“He loved his time at St Mirren but if he moves out then it will be somewhere different,” Rodgers explained.

The Celtic manager also revealed that he hadn’t yet heard from Hibs about their reported interest in the Scotland Under 21 Internationalist. Nottingham Forest – now managed by ex-Celtic boss Martin O’Neill – and Hull City have been been mentioned as being interested in taking Morgan on loan.

His former manager Jack Ross, now in charge at Sunderland, last week ruled out moving for Morgan.

Rodger though would be perfectly happy keeping the player in Scotland and with Derek McInnes the latest manager reported to be interested then the Ryan Christie route to Celtic success may well be the one that suits both Lewis Morgan and also Brendan Rodgers.

McInnes has been credited with helping develop Ryan Christie and Celtic have reaped the rewards from that in recent months. Morgan might fancy a bit of the same.

Strengthening Aberdeen for the league run in is also a factor worth considering. Morgan would be unable to play against his parent club Celtic but would be free to express himself in all other fixtures.

The Celtic manager also confirmed that Jack Hendry will be going out on loan for the rest of this season. With Neil Lennon losing Efe Ambrose surely Hendry would be an option as a replacement?

That could depend on what happens with Scott Allen who has signed a pre-contract with Hibs but as things stand remains a Celtic player until the end of the season. Neil Lennon wants the midfielder at Easter Road now and that would require either taking Allan on loan (thus ruling out a loan move for Hendry to Hibs) or signing the player now.

That would mean Celtic and Allan ‘mutually consenting’ on his current deal, which is bound to be more lucrative that what will be on offer at Hibs.

Will Hibs make up the difference to allow this to happen? The ball is in their court. Over to you Lenny…

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor, who has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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