Sunderland’s interest in taking either Jack Hendry or Lewis Morgan appears to have been rubbished by manager Jack Ross.
The Scottish gaffer was reported in being highly interested in taking former protege Morgan to the Stadium of Light on loan. More quietly, the club were also linked with a move for Hendry after he became available on loan too.
Celtic are looking for the pair to go out and find some game-time during the second-half of the season. Hendry has suddenly become fifth choice at Celtic behind the likes of Dedryck Boyata, Filip Benkovic, Jozo Simunovic, and Kristoffer Ajer respectively. Morgan, meanwhile, has two men ahead of him in both positions down the flanks.
But Ross, however, says that there’s been no communication between the clubs on the pair. Speaking in the Scottish Sun, the Sunderland manager all but ruled out a move for the duo.
“There has been no communication with Brendan and there’s been no communications between the clubs.
“Naturally with Lewis, that link is easier to make because I’ve worked with him in the past at St Mirren.
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“There may come a time in the future where I would love to work with a player of his ilk again. But for the moment, we have certainly not had any sort of communication with those two.”
A blow for both as big opportunity appears non-existent
Make no mistake, and regardless of what you think about Sunderland, it would’ve been a huge opportunity for both players.
England’s League One is a decent enough level, but Sunderland have big pressure on them to get promoted this season. It’s therefore exactly the kind of mentality Rodgers would’ve liked the duo to develop.
It’s also the highest calibre of club said to have been interested in the duo. For Hendry, he’s also reportedly interesting Portsmouth whilst Morgan is also still apparently interesting Hibernian.
Both could do with spells at a club with real pressure at the top end of a table. This is what made Sunderland such an attractive proposition, but the likes of Pompey would also tick that box too.
It looks like neither will be going to Sunderland anyway, as the wait for a formal offer for either remains.