Chris Sutton has reacted to the news, broken this afternoon by Sky Sports, that Premier League side Brighton are now in talks with Celtic over a deal to sign the £25m-30m rated Matt O’Riley.
The former Celtic striker was vocal on Sky Sports yesterday afternoon as co-commentator on the Flag Day opener at Celtic Park, that Matt O’Riley should consider staying at Celtic for one more season to get the chance to impress in the new look Champions League.
And after hearing the news that Brighton had entered talks with Celtic for O’Riley, Sutton made this point:
“With the greatest respect to Brighton who are a brilliantly run club i think Matt O’Riley should set his sights higher… I’d like to see him give it one more go in the Champions League with this current Celtic team… so unless it’s a big enough move stay one more season…” Chris Sutton
Celtic v Chelsea Jul 27, 2024 South Bend, IN, USA Celtic player Matt OÕRiley is congratulated by teammates after scoring goal against Chelsea. Photo Matt Cashore
Of course every Celtic supporter would agree with Sutton but few will actually believe that the scenario that Sutton lays out has much chance of happening. Money talks in football and the Celtic business model is there and fully transparent. Players like O’Riley, signed for just £1.5m from MK Dons, will go if Celtic’s valuation is met. There is no doubt that O’Riley has been developed at Celtic Park under both Ange Postecoglou and Brendan Rodgers and there should be nothing stopping him playing at a top team in one of the bigger leagues.
Is Brighton a better option than for instance Chelsea? Or is Sutton right and Matt should bide his time until he’s had another season in the Champions League. It would make sense but we all know that it’s unlikely.
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