LEWIS MORGAN has leapt to the defence of teammate Boli Bolingoli after the full-back came in for criticism during the fledgling stages of his Celtic career.

The left-back is still settling into life in Scotland, and had some shaky moments in the first half against Motherwell at Fir Park on Saturday before coming on to a game after the break and showing what he can offer Celtic in an attacking sense by playing a major part in his side’s third goal.

And Morgan, who played ahead of Bolingoli on the left-hand side for Celtic during the win in Lanarkshire, says there is much more to come from the Belgian.

“I think it takes time to forge partnerships, but you saw for James (Forrest)’s goal on Saturday, he has made the underlap and I’ve found him.

“Hopefully that’s something we can see more of, because he’s obviously an attacking full-back.

“We want to make sure we are doing our attacking side of the game as well as defensively.

“We were disappointed to lose the two goals at Fir Park, but we’ve bailed ourselves out going the other way.

“He’s definitely got something to offer, we see it every day in training. He’s talented, and he works hard for the team first and foremost.

“I think everyone has to remember he is adapting to a new league as well, but we’ve got full confidence in him.

“I enjoy playing with him, everyone does, as Mikey Johnston has said as well, and I’m sure he will go on and have a great season.”

Morgan himself is hoping to convince the Celtic support and more pertinently, his manager, that he has what it takes to fill the hooped jersey.

“I’m loving every minute of it,” he said.

“I’m not taking anything for granted, it’s an honour to pull on the shirt every single time I do it.

“I’ve got to thank the gaffer for trusting me.

“Obviously it was a good performance from the boys on Saturday, we reacted well and it’s great to be a part of.

“We’ve got competition all over the pitch here and everyone is being kept on their toes by the players behind them.

“The manager was saying before the game that he was making four changes, but it was four class players coming in for four class players to give some boys a much-needed rest.

“You saw the boys that came in, they did really well.”

Morgan is still to hit his first goal for Celtic, and while he was impressive in Saturday's win over Motherwell, he knows he will have to up his attacking output to remain in the starting 11.

“The first one usually is the hardest one,” he said.

“Obviously I do base my game around that, but it’s just not falling for me at the minute.

“It’s something I’ve got to work on and of course, you are going to be judged on your numbers as an attacking player.

“I’m not hiding away from that, but I’m not going to put pressure on myself.

“I want to get that first one, and I’m sure when I do, I’ll be able to kick on.

“I’m not really under any pressure to be fair at the moment, everyone is helping out!

“We’ve got players all over the pitch that can score. You see with Kris’s run from right-back and getting his goal.

“He was excellent again and he’s got that goal for himself, so it’s good to see that we are getting goals from all over the pitch.”