Scotland’s Lewis Morgan ‘won’t just make up the numbers’ after six-year absence

LEWIS MORGAN has waited six years to get back in the Scotland squad — now he’s desperate to make up for lost time.

Morgan, 27, who got his third cap against Finland on Friday, said: “When you’ve been out for as long as I have, you’re just desperate to get back in.

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“Now every single day I’m here in training I’ll be trying to make an impact and get myself in the manager’s thoughts.

“I didn’t come here to just be a training player.

“I know there are guys ahead of me in the pecking order at the moment, but it’s my job to do well and try to force the gaffer’s hand.

“It was good to get some minutes in my legs against Finland.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind since I got called up.

“But there wasn’t a moment of hesitation.

“I’ve been out of the national team for a while, so any chance of getting back in I was always going to jump at.

“I always felt that if you were good enough and were doing well enough, then your chance would come.

“The opportunity has come in an unfortunate way, with the guys getting injured.

“That is really disappointing for them.

“But for me it was just about being ready, doing well for my club, and now the opportunity has come along for me.

“The team has done so well.

“The guys in the squad have been doing incredibly well and it’s very tough to get in.

“I’ve bided my time, performed well at club level, and that’s what’s got me back in.”

While most of his Scotland pals have touched down in Germany on the back of some gruelling training sessions, Morgan has the benefit of being totally match-sharp.

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He is midway through the current MLS campaign, having hit a rich vein of form at just the right time — notching nine goals in his 16 appearances so far.

Morgan added: “Some of the guys have been having to keep themselves fit with their seasons just finishing.

“Luckily I haven’t had to do that. We’re right in the middle of our campaign in the MLS, so I’m coming fit and fresh.

“I didn’t have to persuade Red Bull. They were brilliant with me.

“They knew what an honour it was for me to come and represent my country.

“They were great. I’m sure they are a little bit unhappy, but overall they are all good.

“I’ve not been here that long, so I’ve not had a proper chat with the manager just yet.

“I did speak to him initially and he knows I’ve played predominantly this year as a No 9, through the middle as a striker.

“Before that I had played more as a winger.

“Hopefully I can bring both of those options to the squad.”

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