As is often the case these days, Chris Sutton speaks for just about every Celtic supporter today when he reacted to the news that was broken via Sky Sports earlier today that Atletico Madrid had made an official approach to Celtic to sign midfield maestro Matt O’Riley.

Celtic’s English midfielder Matt O’Riley speaks during a press conference at Celtic Park in Glasgow on September 5, 2022, on the eve of their UEFA Champions League Group F football match against Real Madrid. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

The La Liga giants have proposed a loan deal with an option to buy in the summer to test Celtic’s resolve for a player who is likely to have multiple top offers coming through in the next few days or in the summer window and it’s during that window that Celtic are likely to bow to the inevitable and secure a transfer fee of around £30m for the former MK Dons midfielder.

Sutton though is more concerned with the here and now and the necessity for Celtic to hold onto their top performer to make sure that the Scottish Premiership flag is flying over Celtic Park next season. He said:

RB Leipzig’s Malian midfielder Amadou Haidara (L) vies with Celtic’s English midfielder Matt O’Riley during the UEFA Champions League Group F football match between Celtic FC and RB Leipzig, at the Celtic Park stadium in Glasgow, on October 11, 2022. (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP) (Photo by ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP via Getty Images)

“Celtic can’t even consider selling now… O’Riley may end up going in the summer as we know the Celtic model but there’s a title to be won and that’s the priority right now…” Chris Sutton

Celtic can’t even consider selling now… O’Riley may end up going in the summer as we know the Celtic model but there’s a title to be won and that’s the priority right now… https://t.co/ZpuupMSQR4

— Chris Sutton (@chris_sutton73) January 24, 2024