Here’s Brendan Rodgers speaking after the 2-0 win at Easter Road yesterday afternoon about Callum McGregor, Matt O’Riley amid on-going transfer speculation and the overall Celtic performance in the match.
We’ve already covered the manager’s comments on Callum McGregor, where he referenced his captain’s decision to retire from international football, earlier this morning, so we’ll look at the O’Riley comments from Brendan now.
“I don’t think we can replace like-for-like,” the Celtic manager told BBC Sportsound. “He’s had three years growing to get to where he is now. If he did leave, to get someone like that straight away would be very difficult. If he did go, it would be for big money and obviously we won’t be spending that straight on one player.
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“I’m not overthinking it. He’s a gifted player that I love working with. He really enjoys his time here at Celtic and we’ll just see, day by day. But while he’s here, the concentration is on improving his game and improving him. His attitude is first class and he knows I trust him 100 per cent.”
“Hopefully now he’s retired for Scotland there’s going to be plenty more goals” 😅
Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers on that stunning Callum McGregor strike, plus an update on Matt O’Riley ⚽️⤵️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/cZ9hTvUBD6
— BBC Sport Scotland (@BBCSportScot) August 11, 2024
No Celtic supporter actually expects the club to go and buy a £25m player to replace O’Riley and many actually reckon that his replacement has already been signed and was on the bench yesterday, Portuguese midfielder Paulo Bernardo.
And there’s been no grumblings about Celtic’s ongoing policy of developing and selling players like KT, Jota and Matt O’Riley if it happens. The grumblings are about the signings the manager has explained many times that he requires and that simply have not arrived.
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Yesterday Kyogo’s shoulder popped out again, it’s as predictable as the rain to follow on from one sunny day in Scotland, and there really should be a conversation about the striker getting the operation to sort this issue once and for all.
Yet how can that happen when we have sold Oh, have failed to bring Adam Idah back and had to play Mikey Johnston through the middle in the second half against Hibs, before he too had to go off with an injury.
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“Easter Road is one of the most difficult places to come in Scottish football. I thought we were very good for large spells. There were moments in the second half when we went too long, too early. We made a great start and showed a real winning attitude and we have quality. We should have had a few more goals.”
Brendan knows that Matt will be sold by the greedy suits on the Board, make no mistake. And once Matt has gone, watch the team struggle without him. To seel this quality player at a time when the team needs more not less quality would be an act of the greatest self harm by the club. There’s no way that Board will reinvest the money from any sale, but even if they did they will never replace O’Riley’s quality. It’s absolutely disgraceful that they’re even contemplating the sale of Matt O’Riley in the weeks leading up to a mega-important Champions League test. Utterly incredible what this Board will do for money. The lad has 3 years left on his contract and is not pushing for a move, so hands off!