Since the news of Lewis Morgan’s move from St Mirren to Celtic broke two weeks ago, there have been a long list of people lining up to endorse his credentials and his ability to handle the step up.
If he is as confident and level-headed as his many backers have reported, then he is unlikely to need such assurances, but the consistency of opinion on the winger’s talent and temperament surely bodes well as he faces up to the challenge of making such a huge step up in the summer.
David Farrell is better placed than most to offer his view, having worked closely with Morgan in his formative years when assistant manager at St Mirren, and he too believes the 21-year-old can cope with the transition, both on and off the field, that comes with being a Celtic player.
But he sounded a note of caution to the youngster that despite the vast improvements he has made to his game and his physicality in his time with St Mirren, it will take a vast improvement still to make an impact on Brendan Rodgers’ first team, pointing to the example of Ryan Christie to spell out the task that lies ahead of him. His pace and two-footedness though, Farrell believes, will at least give him a head start.
“I think the fact that Ryan Christie is Aberdeen’s best player tells you that it takes a hell of a lot more to then be a regular at Celtic,” Farrell said.
“He does well with Aberdeen and plays most weeks, and yet, he still can’t get into Celtic’s team.
“I think the reason Ryan Christie doesn’t get in there is because he doesn’t have that extra burst of pace. Brendan Rodgers is well-documented in saying that every player in the Celtic team has to be able to run. Until Ryan perhaps gets Lewis Morgan’s pace, then he might never get himself a place in Celtic’s first team.
“Your lifestyle changes too when you go there, but Lewis will be able to handle that, because he’s a good kid.
“He’s not ready for Celtic’s first team right now. But you never know. A summer of pre-season, couple of games in the League Cup, couple in the qualifiers for the Champions League. He could then hit the ground running.
“You’ve got to have the base ingredients and ability in the first place to get so far. But it comes from within, that wee bit of desire to push yourself to make the best of yourself. That’s what he’s done.”
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