Matt O'Riley

that’s an absolutely class tune

 

Ange Postecoglou insists he's HAPPY to have clubs chasing the signature of Matt O'Riley amid reported interest from Leicester City.

O'Riley sparkled in the short time he was at Celtic last season after joining late in the day in January. His late arrival didn't stop him showing his quality and he has only continued that form in pre-season with more impressive displays which have forced clubs down south to keep an eye on his progress and watch him during games to discover his talents.




Any other manager may issue an immediate hands off warning where their key men are involved but not Postecoglou; instead the Australian boss has encouraged more interest as it means the club - and O'Riley - are doing something right. The Danish under-21 star did well against Legia Warsaw in this evening's 2-2 draw before he was subbed.


And Postecoglou said: "I encourage it. If big clubs want our players that’s great. It’s means they are going well. I keep saying to the boys, they don’t need to worry about their futures if they are the best they can be today. That kind of stuff doesn’t come on my radar so I don’t worry about it.

“I’m not seen anything from Matt to suggest he’s thinking about these things.


The players know why big clubs might come in for them. It’s not because we’ve given them publicity – it’s the work they do, day in and day out.”


Ange added: “He’s got a lot more in him – they all do. That’s my job. For anyone here to be past their best, they might as well not be here. My job is to get more out of them. Obviously he had a big season here last year



He established himself at first team level at MK Dons and then with us. He’s just beginning his career. We’ll push him to be the best he can possibly be, as we do with all of them, because that’s what’s required here.”

 

Top class attitude, so glad he's our manager. It's that kind of mentality that makes players want to be here and play under him. So much more effective than the typical "he's under contract here and it'll take a huge bid to change that".

 

Did he even go over to our support?

 

Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley is adamant he can improve on a storming opening six months at Parkhead.

He's already been linked with the Premier League as Brendan Rodgers' Leicester City is said to be interested in securing his services.

Such links are no surprise after the midfielder impressed from the get-go following a £1.5m move from MK Dons - but he's confident there's more to come.

And the Denmark international is keen to make an impact for club to ensure he will make the World Cup.




He told Sky: "There's a few targets. First of all to improve my level.

"I thought I did well last season but I think I can do a lot more so this season I really want to kick on for myself and then hopefully push for other things in terms of cups and things like that.

"I want to be at the World Cup. Hopefully Champions League exposure helps with that as long as I do my best, hopefully I have got a good chance.


Last pre-season 90 percent of the squad weren't in the team so even being together and preparing should help a lot. The environment is good right now and everyone is feeling good.

 

No comment.

 

He's a great player but has loads more levels in him. Has the potential to absolutely dominate games but just isn't at that stage yet. Comes up with classy moments but does tend to drift in and out.

I still miss Rogic I can't lie

 

Oh definitely, class player but far too soon for any talk of him moving, same for Hatate but on a lesser basis.

Think McGregor and Hatate are the two guaranteed starters, so it'll be interesting to see who's beside them. Think Ange prefers O'Riley, as do I tbf, but Turnbull is a classy player.

Either that or James McCarthy shocks us all and nails down the 6 spot

 

Matt O'Riley admits he's 'aware' that Leicester City are keen on him.

But the Celtic midfielder admits he's really happy at Parkhead, insisting it's the 'perfect' place for him. O'Riley is a popular figure in the Hoops dressing tooms and he enjoys a strong relationship with the Celts support. The 21-year-old only arrived from MK Dons in January for a bargain £1.5 million fee and he's impressed with some standout performances. Former Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers is a known admirer of the Danish midfielder and the Foxes have been linked with a move but O'Riley is happy in Glasgow and relishing Champions League football with Celtic.



I've heard a bit about the interest from Leicester, but it's not something I'm thinking about right now,” he told Danish outlet Bold.The transfer window is quite crazy with rumours and interest, but I am aware that Leicester quite like me. Right now though, I think Celtic is a good place to be




I have good friends around me, my relationship with the coach is good, and the fans are very special. I feel that Celtic is the perfect place for me, but of course it's great to have interest, because it means I'm playing well.

“I also think that it is good for Celtic, because it shows that we have some good players over here. It just means we have to keep playing the way we do.

“Yes, definitely (I expect to be at Celtic for the new season). It is a huge club and now we have to play the Champions League against a lot of big clubs. It's a huge dream for me.”

 

Leicester City have no current interest in Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley, 67 Hail Hail can exclusively reveal.

The Denmark U-23 international has been linked with the Premier League side, but yesterday dismissed the rumours and reiterated his focus on the season ahead with the Scottish champions.



67 Hail Hail sources have subsequently revealed that there is nothing in these reports and that Leicester, who are yet to sign any players this transfer window, are not currently looking to sign the Hoops star.


Despite several links, former manager Brendan Rodgers is yet to raid his old club for transfers, having made the switch from Glasgow to the East Midlands in 2019 following a trophy-laden two and a half years with Celtic.

Whilst things can always change in football, particularly if Leicester make any major sales before the close of the transfer window, it’s highly unlikely that O’Riley will become the first former Celt to join Rodgers at Leicester.




This should come as welcome news for supporters on the eve of the new season, as O’Riley has very quickly become a key man for Celtic in a very short period of time following his move from MK Dons in January.




The 21-year-old was thrown in the deep end with Tom Rogic unavailable following the winter break, but the former Fulham man excelled in a series of crunch games at Tynecastle, Pittodrie, and in Celtic’s famous 3-0 derby demolition of Rangers.

Alongside fellow January signings Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda, the midfielder was instrumental in Celtic’s charge to the title, and will look to fully cement his place in the side following the now permanent departure of Rogic this summer.

Fans will look for more of the same from O’Riley when Celtic kick off their title defence tomorrow at home to Aberdeen, with the English-born Dane a likely starter alongside Hatate and Callum McGregor in midfield after a strong pre-season.

 

Maddison seems to be on his way to Newcastle.

The rumours of Leicester being interested have me worried now. He has shown he has his head screwed on right though by moving to MK Dons for game time. Should see him stay here for at least another season, you would think.

If he does move on, I want seriously ridiculous money for him.

 

£30m or * off

 

I thought he bossed the midfield yesterday. Reminds me of Stylian Petrov. Central midfielder with immense quality. A celtic goalscorer. Strong. Finesse within his feet. Floating. Twisting. Turning. Skipping. Attacking.

Beautiful to watch.

The 2 goals against St Johnstone in the 7-0 game last season were exquisite.

Celtic have the players with the individual class to win a Champions League group stage game. We only have to do it once. And then it's done. They can do it every time.

 

If Maddison is sold to Newcastle for the reported £40 million and Rodgers is interested in Matt then I can see them offering something * like 10/12 million first to test the waters.

The reason I think that is, one they think that the pull of the premier league will unsettle him.

Two they can always up their * bid.

In all honesty I think the board would accept anything over 20 million to balance the books after the spending this summer and make profit once again.

 

Not that I want O'Riley to go anywhere, but I think if a £20 million bid came in, you'd have to consider it. Given what we paid for him, that'd represent an incredible piece of business.

I know people will be thinking that he could be worth more in 1-2 years, but he also may not be depending on how he develops. And if all of a sudden you've funded this entire transfer window with the sale of one player, you'd like to think that we'd be in a position to do even more business as a result.

That's all hypothetical though and like I said, I hope he's not going anywhere. With Rogic gone, his creativity could be key this season

 

He aint going anywhere this season.

 

He’s going to be an unreal player. Enjoy him while you can he ain’t gonna be here long I don’t think.

 

I see where you are coming from, end of the day money talks and as club we haven’t spent more than what we have sold since the days of MON.

Just seen that Newcastle have bid more than 50 million for Maddison.