WASHINGTON, D.C., USA - JULY 20: Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers speaks to Callum McGregor during a pre-season friendly match between DC United and Celtic at the Audi Field, on July 20, 2024, in Washington, D.C., USA. (Photo by Ross MacDonald/SNS Group via Getty Images)
Brendan Rodgers says that Celtic are quite relaxed about the transfer interest in Matt O’Riley.
On Sunday night Fabrizio Romano reported on an improved offer from Atalanta for the midfielder, the day after O’Riley had scored twice in a 4-0 win over DC United.
The former MK Dons man has excelled at every level he has been tested at, looking comfortable and increasingly confident at Champions League level which caught the attention and interest of Atletico Madrid last season.
Over the next few days Celtic take on Manchester City and Chelsea, following those games it wouldn’t be a shock if further interest arrived but Brendan Rodgers is well prepared.
A year ago the newly installed Celtic boss lost Jota before he had even taken charge of a friendly, yesterday Rodgers discussed the speculation around O’Riley.
We’re all quite relaxed about it. Every player has a value but we see him as a really important player and while he’s here we’ll continue to develop him and improve. There’s no update. We’re fairly relaxed, you saw him in the game the other night.
He’s working well and is focus. Naturally when you’re a good young player who’s committed and professional as he is he will get attention. He’s working so well but there’s nothing to report on him I think we al understand the people close to Celtic understand the model Celtic works.
Matt’s been at the club for three years he’s developed into the player he has and he knows the privilege it is to play for Celtic and of course naturally how it works is the player get that opportunity to move on. Celtic is a club where you can move on but you don’t have to and it’s a very difficult club to move on from.
But naturally with the wages that are on offer for players then that makes it a real challenge for Celtic to compete at that level. But what I’ve seen with Matt is he’s a first-class professional. He’s a really humble guy who’s really devoted to his profession and he knows what he has here.
With no outfield signings since the transfer window opened any sale of O’Riley needs to be carefully timed.
Money isn’t required at Celtic as they prepare for a third season in the Champions League with fans keen to see assets out on the pitch rather than showing up on the balance sheet.
“Anybody Wanna Buy An Inside Mid-fielder?”
Rodgers couldn’t have put it better if he was a second-hand car salesman!