Scotland international Lewis Morgan insists Johnny Russell is proof that playing in the MLS will not hamper his international aspirations.

The 23-year-old left Celtic for David Beckham’s Inter Miami in January and made his debut in their inaugural league clash on March 1 - a 1-0 defeat to Los Angeles.

And two-times capped Morgan is keen to work his way into national team manager Steve Clarke’s plans after watching Sporting Kansas City forward Johnny Russell become a regular in the squad since moving stateside in January 2018.

Morgan, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Sunderland, said: “I know Johnny well from the Scottish national team. He said to jump at the opportunity. He’s done really well out here and it actually helped propel him onto the national stage as well. 

“I’m looking to get games for the national team. I can look to him as proof that can happen. I had a few clubs in the (English) Championship with offers. But to be honest, once I heard of the interest here and how keen the club were to get me, that kind of made my mind up.”

Morgan, meanwhile, insists having the cameras track his every move at Sunderland as part of the Netflix series was a surreal experience. The fly-on-the-wall documentary was recently aired on the streaming service, and gives a behind the scenes insight into how the Black Cats League One campaign unfolded.

Morgan featured 22 times for the club, including an outing in the agonising play-off final loss to Charlton at Wembley.

Morgan added: “It was a little weird. I think they reigned it in a little from the year before; they said the Netflix crew had very much full access before I was there. I think they kind of restricted that a little more, but the cameras were there all the time. 

“Eventually you get used to it and you don’t notice them, but to get used to it was a little bit different. I’ve only got fond memories from being there.

“It’s a massive club. When I was down there I was trying to concentrate on the football side of things and we didn’t achieve the goals we wanted to, which obviously wasn’t great. I’m hoping they can get back to where they belong.”