Celtic loan star Lewis Morgan has had his campaign end in playoff heartbreak this afternoon.
The winger has been plying his trade at Sunderland this season and was given a glorious opportunity to impress today. An injury to Max Power on nine minutes gave Morgan around 80 minutes to impress against Charlton Atletic at Wembley.
The winners went up to the Championship next term. And, unfortunately for Morgan, his side came away with a 2-1 defeat from London.
Sunderland scored early on as Naby Sarr scored an embarrassing own goal. But a response before the break from Ben Purrington set the second half up nicely. It would be a 94th-minute goal that made the result so heartbreaking for Morgan and co. A deep cross into the penalty area saw Patrick Bauer power home from close-range, and Charlton lept up to the Championship.
The game was over, and Morgan, despite making a positive influence, was on the losing side. It ends a season in which the former St Mirren star featured 22 times for the Black Cats. During his time on Wearside, Morgan has also managed two goals and four assists in all competitions for Jack Ross’ side.
Morgan still has a point to prove
Morgan’s future is now surely up in the air. Neil Lennon’s arrival gives him a clean slate, and his position down the left is seriously up for grabs heading into the close-season.
You have to wonder where he now stands in the pecking order. Scott Sinclair has struggled to perform all season, but still managed 17 goals. He’ll be here next year as it stands, whilst Mikey Johnston has managed a storming end to the campaign with a Parkhead brace against Hearts and a Scottish Cup final starting spot.
Marian Shved has already arrived at the club too. He’ll be targeting a spot down either flank next season, as our depth in the wide areas is starting to show.
Morgan hasn’t proven at Sunderland that he has what it takes to be our number one just yet. If Brendan Rodgers was still at the club, then it wouldn’t have been surprising to see Morgan leave again next year for another loan spell.
Whilst that could still happen, he has a glorious chance under a new regime to have a positive pre-season and impress. Morgan, just like many fringe players at Parkhead, can look at Lennon’s arrival with optimism.
It’s a dark day for our Morgan today. But he has to pick himself up quickly ahead of a colossal summer for him.
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