Shutting it all out- Celtic dressing room blanks out growing transfer speculation

Stephen Welsh has claimed that the Celtic squad is immune to transfer speculation.

Interest in Matt O’Riley has exploded over the last week with Sky Sports revealing interest from Girona and yesterday, a bid from Atletico Madrid.

Over the last 12 months Celtic have lost Josip Juranovic, Giorgos Giakoumakis, Jota, Carl Starfelt and Aaron Mooy with the arrivals not quite of that standard.

The demands and expectations remain the same, just past the halfway stage in the SPFL Celtic are five points clear at the top having played an extra match.

Welsh knows about the pressures of life inside Celtic and told the Daily Record that the first team squad is cut off from the transfer rumours and speculation:

This is what happens historically at a big club like Celtic. The best players and the ones who have performed at Champions League level are going to get touted.

That’s the way it is. Us players don’t really look at it, we just concentrate on the football. It is pretty common. If it’s going to happen, then it happens. But until someone signs on the dotted line the only club everyone is focused on is Celtic. All of us think the same.

It’s about progressing and working hard for this club. The boys have great attitude. It doesn’t really matter who gets linked away, no one really thinks about it. Everyone is content here. There is a real tunnel vision to go and win the next two trophies.

Yesterday’s Atletico Madrid story carried more detail with the offer of an initial loan to sign O’Riley followed up by a summer obligation to buy.

Brendan Rodgers is fully versed in the mechanics of transfer business, while he can’t prevent outside interest in his players he’ll be hoping that Celtic’s Recruitment Team can identify quality additions to offset the inevitable departures.