New York Red Bulls star forward Lewis Morgan has been called up to the Scottish national team for the 2024 European Championships, the Scottish FA and Red Bulls announced.
It is the first time since 2019 that the 27-year-old has gotten a call-up to Scotland’s senior side, which begins its Euro 2024 campaign on June 14 in the competition’s opening match against the hosts and international powerhouse, Germany. Morgan had appeared in just two games for Scotland, both coming in 2018 friendly matches.
Morgan’s inclusion completes a remarkable comeback from a hip injury that derailed his 2023 season. The Greenock native began his career in the Scottish Premiership with St. Mirren before moving to Celtic and a quick spell in England with Sunderland. He made the jump to the United States with Inter Miami from 2020-2021 before joining New York in 2022.
During his first season in New York, he led the club with 14 goals in 32 league matches. In the first match of the 2023 season, though, Morgan suffered a torn psoas muscle that limited him to just five league matches all year before undergoing surgery.
After an intensive rehab during the offseason, he hit the ground running to pique the interest of Scotland manager Steve Clarke. In 16 league matches this season, Morgan has nine goals and is on pace to shatter his previous career-high.
While getting the call for Scotland was considered a long shot, injuries opened the door for Morgan over the last week. The Tartan Army lost Queens Park Rangers striker Lyndon Dykes in training over the weekend before Liverpool youngster Ben Doak went down with an injury on Tuesday.
Scotland also called up 21-year-old Tommy Conway from Bristol City of England’s second tier. They face Finland in a friendly on Friday as a final warmup match before the start of Euro 2024.
Morgan becomes just the third player in Red Bulls franchise history to be named to a Euro roster, joining Lothar Matthaus (Germany, 2000) and Roberto Donadoni (Italy, 1996).
“I’m super happy for Lewis,” Red Bulls midfielder Daniel Edelman said on Thursday (Morgan was traveling to Scotland and not available for comment). “He told us pretty late that he got called in and I was buzzing for him. He deserves it. I hope he enjoys the opportunity and makes the most of it. He’s put his head down and worked all of last year to get to where he is right now. It’s incredible to see his growth… I know he’s going to do great.”
There are just nine players including Morgan from Major League Soccer that will be competing at Euro 2024: Xherdan Shaqiri of the Chicago Fire is with Switzerland, LAFC’s Olivier Giroud and Cristian Olivera are with France, Orlando City’s David Brekalo is with Slovenia, Atlanta United’s Saba Lobjanidze is representing Georgia. His teammate, Bartosz Slisz was called up to Poland. New England’s Henrich Ravas is with Slovakia and Daniel Gazdag of the Philadelphia Union will play for Hungary.
