Lewis Morgan is on loan at Jack Ross’s Sunderland from Scottish Premiership champions Celtic.
Sunderland manager Jack Ross has hailed Lewis Morgan’s ‘natural ability’ but suggests he needs to take a leaf out of Luke O’Nien’s book in order to live up to his potential, as reported by the Chronicle.
The Scotland international is under pressure to impress at the Stadium of Light, having joined on loan in January after failing to make an impression since returning to Celtic in a £300,000 deal last year (Daily Record).
But, while few could question Morgan’s talent, a player who shone under Ross at St Mirren has failed to score in 11 League One appearances in Sunderland colours.
And the Black Cats boss believes that, for all his ability, the 22-year-old needs to increase his work rate to avoid falling by the wayside.
O’Nien, the tenacious midfielder who has shone since being moved to right-back, could be a fine example.
“I think you have to have players like him in the right group, because the other players have to see that there is nothing wrong with hard work and learning new things,” Ross said.
“He then starts to influence others around him, and even if you ask someone like, say, Lewis Morgan who is naturally gifted, he will look at Luke and see how hard he works at making himself better.”
Morgan is expected to return to parent club Celtic in the summer but a frustrating spell at Sunderland doesn’t exactly bode well for a player who would have to compete with James Forrest, Scott Sinclair and co for a place in the starting XI.
So Ross’s comments should perhaps be seen as a reality check.
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