Lewis Morgan, and the 12 games in 8 weeks marathon

There should be a slight embarrassment of riches around Celtic today as one of our loan players, Lewis Morgan, picked up his Championship Player of the Year award.  The 21-year-old left-mid player signed for Celtic in January but remained a St Mirren player, on loan, until the end of the season.

Lewis is two years younger than Jack Hendry, who signed from Dundee this year, but will share a development play with the central defender, and with goalkeeper Scott Bain (26).

With left-footed-inverted-right-wing Patrick Roberts returning to Manchester City this week and one of our other left-footed wide players, Jonny Hayes, out injured since August, there is a clear opening in the squad for Lewis.

The Champions League qualifiers are (hopefully) a marathon eight games in eight weeks, a period that coincides with the start of the Premiership kick off.  During this time the squad will need to reach peak fitness, but remain rested, two conflicting objectives.

Lewis should experience his first competitive action as a Celtic player during this period.  There will be around 12 games in those eight weeks, a lot of tired limbs and a corresponding injury profile.  For you and me, that’s a worry, but Lewis will know it is his chance to shine.