Celtic’s Liam Morrison could be inspired by former Rangers defender David Bates if he leaves

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Celtic Liam Morrison could reportedly follow in David Bates’ footsteps and leave the Scottish Premiership for Germany.

One year after David Bates left Rangers for Hamburg, another highly-rated Old Firm defender could be on his way to Germany.

According to the Scottish Sun, Celtic are sweating about the potential loss of highly-rated teenager Liam Morrison. The Scottish Premiership champions are apparently desperate to tie him down to a long-term deal with many English clubs eyeing a player who has been identified by those in the game as Scotland’s most talented defensive prospect.

But, the Scottish Sun claims, Hoffenheim are the latest Bundesliga club aiming to raid Britain for a fresh faced talent with the report suggesting that Morrison is being tempted by a move to a club who have turned Niklas Sule, Joelinton and Germany international Nico Schulz into stars.

And if Morrison does indeed turn down the chance to stay at Parkhead, Celtic could have a former Rangers player to blame.

Just last week, Bates told the Clyde Superscoreboard about how much he has developed since taking the plunge and making a shock switch to Hamburg, who are fighting for promotion in Germany’s second tier.

“You can see I’ve improved as a player and it’s all because I’ve come over here, focused on my game and learned off the coaches and managers,” the Scotland international said. “Yeah, 100 per cent, if anyone asked me I’d tell them to take the chance.”

You can almost guarantee that, if Morrison follows in Bates’ footsteps, these comments might have impacted the youngster’s decision.