The midfielder is on the brink of a big money move to Fabian Hurzeler’s side
Brighton are on the brink of smashing the Scottish transfer record to snap up Matt O’Riley – and Celtic have already given their English Premier League rivals a host of reasons to be worried.
The Seagulls have seen off interest from across Europe to snap up the midfielder from the Scottish Premiership champions in a £30m package deal that will smash the Scottish transfer record – that has been set by the £25m sales by Kieran Tierney to Arsenal in 2019 and Jota to Al-Ittihad last summer when they left Celtic Park. A deal is expected to be concluded over the weekend – and while O’Riley won’t make Fabian Hurzeler’s squad for the early kick-off on Saturday against Manchester United top flight sides know they have plenty of reasons to be worried about the arrival of the Danish international.
Ange Postecoglou – who brought O’Riley to Celtic for £1.5m from MK Dons – praised his adaptability in the midfielder engine room and his attacking threat back in 2022: “For Matt in particular, playing a little bit deeper, he was restricted in terms of how forward he could get. I think it has given him an even deeper appreciation for the role further up the field now.
“I believe he has goals in him, as do Reo [Hatate] and David Turnbull. They are an important part of our setup as while the attacking players are always dangerous, it is good to have threats all over the field.”
And after a season which saw O’Riley net 18 goals and 13 assists in the league – speculation only increased with Atletico Madrid and Inter in the running. At the time, Brendan Rodgers lauded him as a model professional who is only going to develop and improve: “Matt has had an absolutely brilliant season for us and it is great testament to his professionalism and how he has developed as a football player.
Celtic’s Matt O’Riley celebrates (Image: PA)
“Then naturally, those players will attract attention. If you have done well, and done well at a club of this status and pressure then naturally the attention will come.”
And amid speculation around his future – with Atalanta launching a series of bids – Rodgers heaped praise on the attitude of the midfielder. He said: “There’s absolutely no change in Matt’s demeanour or happiness. He respects and knows the privilege it is to play for Celtic. He knows what Celtic has given him and the development that’s come from being here. So it’s not a burden for him to be at Celtic.
“He’s got a first-class attitude and that’s why we’ve been really comfortable with the situation he’s in. He can captain the team the other night and he’s a fantastic professional.”
