It certainly seems like a day for Matt O’Riley news, doesn’t it?
After reporting this morning that Mark Guidi predicted the midfielder to be one of Celtic’s top players this season, on The Go Radio Football Show, the journalist reacted to news that Leicester City could potentially move for the 21-year-old should Newcastle be successful in buying James Maddison from Leicester City.
When asked if Celtic would sell O’Riley to the Premier League side, Guidi said, “I would be astounded if Matt O’Riley was sold.
“At the end of the day, the balls in Celtics court because he’s under contract.
“And we know players are very powerful. I don’t see Matt O’Riley being the type of guy who would want away.
“A year down the line, maybe. It would make sense if it was silly numbers.
“But right now, I think it sends the wrong message, particularly when you’ve let Rogic go.
“So you keep my O’Riley, you resist any kind of bid, if indeed there is going to be any bid.
“It certainly looks as though James Madison is going to go to Newcastle. That is going to happen.
“But in terms of Celtic going to sell O’Riley? I can’t see that happening.”
Personally, I can’t see it happening either.
I can’t recall the last time Celtic sold a player within six months of signing for the club, especially a player that is going to be pivotal in how we play this season.
O’Riley would do well to hang around for another couple of seasons, earn his stripes, get more international call ups and then, and only then, should he think of moving on.
I hope the board don’t entertain any bids for the youngster. I certainly think Ange won’t.
But as we all know in this game.
Eventually, money talks.
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Just want to chime in on the Jordan Larsson talk. Ange will never bring him in to the family. Never. Even if he had double the goals scored. Why? Because it’s about culture and keeping the team as well as the fans in a balance. No disrespect to Jordan but he can disrupt the balance of the club. Creating a culture and learning together how to win is a difficult task. Ange would never risk the development by bringing in a player that would automatically steer the ship off course within the public and media focus. No fault to Jordan but history tells us he can’t play for Celtic. It’s unfortunate but media and fan focus would start to tarnish the balance of the clubs development.
Yes money talks and as you say Matt will eventually leave but it must be on our terms ,at least 25 million if he keeps playing the way he is.