CELTIC have knocked back a loan approach from Stoke City for winger Lewis Morgan.
The Championship side were keen to take the Scotland international forward for the second half of the season with new boss Michael O’Neill seeking to add more attacking options to his side.
The former Northern Ireland manager is believed to have made an enquiry about the player’s availability, but Nicky Hammond, the Hoops’ director of football, has made it clear the champions are not interested in allowing the frontman to leave Parkhead.
The 23-year-old pacy raider, who was signed by Brendan Rodgers for £300,000 in January last year, has previously had loan spells at League One Sunderland and former club St Mirren.
Morgan has been used as a makeshift striker in recent games with Odsonne Edouard injured and started last week’s 1-0 Betfred League Cup Final triumph over Steven Gerrard’s Ibrox side at Hampden.
Paisley Saints gaffer Jim Goodwin has already admitted he would be interested in a temporary switch for the youngster while his ex-boss Jack Ross, who took him to the Wearside outfit last season, has also been linked with a move to bring him to Hibs.
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