New Celtic recruit Lewis Morgan has dismissed suggestions that he could hook up with former St Mirren manager Jack Ross at Sunderland on a loan deal this season. There had been reports that Ross was keen on taking the Championship Player of the Year with him to the Stadium of Light but, Morgan, who signed for Celtic in January before returning to help St Mirren win promotion to the top flight has his sights trained on making an impact with Brendan Rodgers’ side.

“I’ve already been out on loan,” said the 21-year-old. “I had one at St Mirren in the second half of last season, although people might not see it like that. I’m not as young as people might think either, so it’s time for me to stake a claim and show why Celtic signed me in the first place.

“I’m not sure if there is any truth in it. It’s not something I’m focusing on - I’m only focusing on Celtic.

“I want to stake a claim there, that’s all I am thinking about. You always need to raise your game no matter where you and take the chance to impress. I will go in, work hard and see where it takes me. I believe in my ability.

“I spoke to the manager before the Scotland trip. He said to enjoy myself and that he’d see me on the 18th. ‘m sure we will have a good chat and take it from there.

“The plan has always been to go into Celtic, do pre-season and get a chance to stake my claim. You never know in football. You never know what’s going to happen so you can’t say for certain. But I will be going in for pre-season really trying to get into the starting XI.”

Speaking on the day when Celtic formally confirmed the signing of Odsonne Edouard for a club record fee – the deal in its entirety will amount to just over £9m - the £300k that the Parkhead side shelled out for Morgan is little more than loose change for Rodgers’ side. Ultimately, though, the real value will be judged in what return there is on the park from each player.

“Signing Odsonne is a massive statement and it shows that the club wants to be progressive,” said Morgan. “We want to take that next step and he is a big player who showed last year that he turns up in big games. He is another player who is going to help Celtic move forward.

“I didn’t get bought for the same money as Odsonne and the circumstances are different, but I will give it my best. I suppose you could say I’m under the radar a bit but as transfer fee isn’t something a player thinks about anyway.

“Every player just wants to concentrate on their football and show that, regardless of the money, they deserve to be in the team. I don’t really know much Celtic paid to sign me. That side of things isn’t what players worry about. It’s about letting your football do the talking and show why you are at a club like Celtic.”

Still, though, Edouard’s arrival will enable the winger to head into the club with the focus far removed from his own position. With Patrick Roberts having returned to Manchester City there might be the chance for Morgan to showcase his own credentials for a regular berth in the opening weeks of the campaign. Tom Rogic will get an extended break along with Dedryck Boyata, Mikael Lustig and Cristian Gamboa who are all in Russia on World Cup duty, while Stuart Armstrong is expected to move on from the club in the current transfer window.

Celtic will discover who awaits on their opening two qualification rounds on Tuesday when they draw is made for the Champions League qualifiers but Morgan needs little additional incentive to hit the ground running.

“Regardless of who is or isn’t there, I am going as an individual to prove that I deserve to be at Celtic,” he said. “The players in attacking areas are outstanding and I need to respect that.

“But I can also learn from these players and try to take my game to the next level.

“There are so many games at Celtic that team is always going to rotate. You just need to make sure you take a chance and take it.

“There are so many games at Celtic that team is always going to rotate. You just need to make sure you take a chance and take it.

“Across the board, Celtic have shown they are the best team in the country and that is what you want to be part of. I want to embrace the challenge, get in the team and take my game to the next level.”

The player had the opportunity to introduce himself to some of his new colleagues when he headed to Peru and Mexico with Alex McLeish’s side. Jack Hendry, Ryan Christie and Scott Bain made that trip too which should mean there are a few familiar faces on Monday when Morgan reports to Lennoxtown with the rest of the Celtic players for the start of pre-season training.

“I spoke to Jack Hendry, Ryan Christie and Scott Bain a lot when I was away with Scotland,” he said.

“They were all telling me how great a club it and how much I will enjoy it. It’s a great dressing room and hopefully I will settle in quickly.”