Lewis Morgan knows exactly what is expected of him by Celtic this season- after a one-to-one conversation with Brendan Rodgers.
The winger spent the second half of last season back on loan at St Mirren with many fans wondering where he would fit in at Celtic Park.
Jonny Hayes found himself in a similar position a year ago and struggled to make an impact before a broken leg ended his season at Christmas time.
As soon as Jack Ross was appointed as manager of Sunderland he spoke about taking Morgan on loan but the 21-year-old knows that there is a role for him to play under Rodgers.
“Without divulging too much about what the manager said to me, he sees me as an important player if I can really prove myself,” Morgan told The Sun.
“Over the coming weeks it will be up to me to prove why I should be in the team. He says he wants me to push on.
“It’s pleasing to hear that. Football can change so I can’t take anything for granted but it’s great to hear that he has trust in me. I’ve got to prove to him why I should be in the team.
“I believe in myself and that I can make an impact. I’ve got great players around me that will help me bed in.
“I need to go and show what I can do and prove why I’m here to the people who maybe don’t know why I was brought here.”
Morgan played in the first half of Celtic’s opening match in Austria but missed the remaining matches due to a slight knee injury.
Saturday’s match away to Shamrock Rovers gives him a chance to restate his case with the serious action starting on Tuesday when the hoops face Alashkert of Armenia in the first qualifying round of the Champions League.
