Roker Roundup: Celtic winger linked again with loan switch to Sunderland during January window

Celtic attacker linked again

Sunderland have once again been linked with Celtic’s Lewis Morgan, who rose to prominence during a spell at Jack Ross’ St Mirren but has struggled for playing time since moving to Parkhead.

According to the Daily Star, Morgan could be set for a spell out on loan with Ross still interested in bringing the winger to the Stadium of Light during the summer.

The 22-year-old was instrumental in help St Mirren win the Scottish Championship and his form led to Celtic swooping in the January transfer window, only for the player to be loaned back for the rest of the season.

After being unable to clinch the signing of Morgan in the summer, Sunderland tried to sign his Celtic team-mate Ryan Christie but that fell through due to Didier Ndong and Papy Djilobodji staying at the club past the transfer window.

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Duo sign for Rangers

Sunderland have missed out on Scottish Premiership duo Glen Kamara and Jordan Jones after both players signed pre-contract agreements with Rangers.

Both players have been strongly linked with Sunderland since the summer, with Kamara in particular being the subject of a failed bid by Jack Ross back in August.

However they have both signed four-year deals with Steven Gerrard’s side that will see them join Rangers once their current contracts expire in the summer.

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Accrington chairman not expecting fixture change

Accrington Stanley chairman Andy Holt has written to the EFL asking them to reconsider their decision to bring forward their away game at Sunderland by a day for Sky Sports coverage.

Holt is not expecting the EFL to reconsider their decision but Holt is upset that the biggest away game in Stanley’s history has been moved when so many fans will already have made plans:

We have written to the EFL asking them to reconsider but I don’t see us getting any joy.

Everything has been planned for months in advance as a fan, that’s what you do. That’s what I have done and I am a fan.

It’s the biggest away match we have ever had and it is disappointing that it has been moved to a Friday night making it inconvenient for fans to get to and potentially costing our fans who have already booked travel and hotels money.

As the away side we receive £10,000 for the televised game and what I will do is use that money to put something on at the ground for the fans who can’t go.

We will use that money to set something up and get some food sorted.

Holt admits that they have to make concessions for Sky due to the financial figures they provide but says he has to take into account what is best for the club’s fans:

As a club we have to accept the money on offer from a TV deal.

It is at Sky’s discretion and they are going to chose games involving the biggest clubs, like Sunderland, as it equals more viewers.

On one hand I am happy to take the TV money but on the other I want what is best for the fans.

The game is still in doubt despite Holt’s belief that the EFL won’t change the fixture, as it is due to take place on the FA Cup Fifth Round weekend and Stanley are still in the FA Cup after beating Ipswich Town 1-0 yesterday.

Sunderland have also been impacted by the fourth round of the FA Cup, as they were due to play Gillingham on January 26 but the Gills got through to the next round and will play in the FA Cup instead.

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Loan roundup

Elliot Embleton started in the FA Cup for Grimsby Town as the League Two club put in a heroic effort against Premier League outfit Crystal Palace.

The Mariners were down to 10 men after just two minutes when VAR decided that Andrew Fox’s tackle on Andros Townsend warranted a red card and they held out until 86th minute when Jordan Ayew’s header decided the tie.

The Sunderland youngster did not look out of place against the top flight side, with Football.London saying Palace defender Joel Ward had his hands full with Embleton and Wayne Hennessey denying him in each half.

Andrew Nelson was ruled out of Darlington’s game against Kidderminster Harriers by the Sunderland physio after picking up a knee injury and that could be his last game for the club with his loan spell due to end on Wednesday.

Williams Kokolo did start for the Quakers and he had a comfortable afternoon at left-back as Darlington brushed aside the Harriers 3-0.

Connor Shields started on the right for Alloa Athletic in a 4-2-3-1 formation as they came from two goals down to clinch a 2-2 draw against a Dunfermline Athletic team that included two Sunderland academy products in Tom Beadling and Lee Robinson.

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