When Lewis Morgan departed Celtic last year, there could be few complaints from the Parkhead faithful.
The winger had played just 31 times for the Hoops since signed from St Mirren by Brendan Rodgers.
His spell in Glasgow had been filled with injury and with Celtic winning trophy after trophy, he found it difficult to get into the side.
Once again, that call seemed fair enough on paper. “I don’t have any regrets,” Morgan told the Athletic this week after being questioned about his Celtic exit.
Unfortunately, the Bhoys should have plenty of regrets. The 24-year-old has become not only a star for his new team, Inter Miami, but also a star of the entire MLS.
Would Morgan get in this Celtic team?
Definitely
Not for me
The American side are owned by David Beckham and now coached by Phil Neville, an experience that will no doubt make for an enjoyable one.
Inter Miami finished tenth in their debut MLS campaign but Morgan was the undoubted hero. He finished as their top scorer on five goals and was also a creative ball of energy.
Morgan played every game throughout the campaign and ended it top of the MLS for big chances created on 14. The forward was also second for total chances created (65) and expected assists (7.93).
Those are eye-catching numbers, ones that dictate he could have been an enormous success at Parkhead. It was under Neil Lennon that he was allowed to leave, but it’s hard to picture that would have been the same decision taken by Rodgers.
He has always had an eye for talent he can develop and he clearly loved Morgan. He raved about the winger before he’d even arrived at Parkhead saying: “The boy Lewis Morgan at St Mirren: quick, dynamic, can press, can run, can get at people.”
Praise was then issued during his stint as a Celtic player too; “He’s looked really good, really strong and dynamic. He’s hungry to play,” the Northern Irishman stated in 2018.
Minutes were ultimately hard to come by so you can hardly blame the Scot for leaving. He is now in with a chance of securing a place in Steve Clarke’s squad for the European Championships as a result of his displays in America.
His form has been sensational for Inter Miami; how Celtic could have done with a player like him this term.
The Hoops have relinquished their grasp on the SPFL title and their supporters are growing tired of timid displays from Ryan Christie, someone occupying similar positions to Morgan.
Before the Old Firm derby, the Scotsman had scored just twice in his last 26 outings. He has also recorded just three assists in 2021; a shoddy tally for someone who registered as many as 16 in all competitions last term.
Morgan was named Inter Miami’s MVP last season. Clearly, he would have offered plenty of quality to Celtic in 2020/21. He has been a huge loss.
AND in other news, Fresh twist emerges in Celtic manager hunt, it’s bad news for Hoops supporters…