Cashing in can wait – Keeping Matt O’Riley is an absolute must

We need to keep Matt O’Riley at all costs…that has to be the most important consideration for Michael Nicholson and the Celtic Board in the remaining days of the January transfer window. It doesn’t matter how high the bids are, there can be only one answer and that is the player in NOT for sale.

According to Sky Sports La Liga high flyers Girona are interested in acquiring the services of Matt O’Riley this transfer window. This story was covered on The Celtic Star last night.

Hopefully there is nothing to this latest speculation, the same way the Inter Milan rumours turned out regarding the Denmark international midfielder. Matt is such a vital player for Celtic, he’s undoubtedly been our star player this season and we certainly don’t won’t to lose him. In fact it’s unthinkable at this stage of the season.

According to the reliable Fabrizio Romano any deal would have to surpass the Kieran Tierney and Jota transfer fees if Girona are serious about their interest. So that’s £25 million plus we’re talking about here, that’s some serious money, and one that would naturally be tempting for Michael Nicholson and his colleagues on the Celtic board to accept.

But Girona have never spent that sort of cash before, so it’s doubtful they would start now, here’s hoping. Although they are owned by the cash rich City Group, so there could be substance to such claims.

Hopefully not though as Matt is a player who is priceless to Celtic at this moment. He’s vital in our pursuit of league and cup glory. We must keep him at all costs, Matt has just recently signed a new long term deal and he’s happy at the club. There is absolutely no pressure to sell and the potential transfer fee could rise even further as Celtic may end up getting £30m for him further down the line.

The summer is a different story though, but in the meantime we should be kicking any and every offer into touch. And it’s important to note that the player himself is relaxable about staying at Celtic and is in no particular rush to get out the door at this time with the Scottish Cup and most importantly the Scottish Premiership title to be retained.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy