Matt O’Riley has dismissed the speculation linking him with a quick-fire exit from Celtic this summer just eight months after arriving on a £1.5m move from MK Dons.
The Celtic midfielder has this week been linked with several premier league clubs, such as Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United ahead of the conclusion of this summers transfer window. Reports from the ESPN source claim offers could be between £15-20 million with both Leicester City or Newcastle being the most likely to make a move for the Danish Under 21 star at this stage.
However, Celtic fans needn’t be worried about the potential loss of one of our star midfielders as O’Riley confirms his intention to remain at Paradise for the foreseeable.
Speaking to Danish media outlet Bold.dk the Celtic midfielder said that he is well aware of the speculation linking him with a move away from the Hoops but is paying no attention to that as he is happy at Celtic and focused on the exciting season ahead which of course will feature Champions League action starting with a visit from the Champions of Europe Real Madrid.
“Yes, there are some clubs who have inquired about me. I can’t say which clubs, though. But while it’s great to know there’s a lot of interest in me, I’ve only got one thing on my mind and that’s to do well for Celtic.
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“I have no plans to leave Celtic, so if nothing happens, nothing happens, and that’s fine. I’m really happy to be at the club where we’re also going to play the Champions League, which I’m really looking forward to. It’s huge.
“I am aware and have heard about the interest from some of the big clubs, but I must admit that it is not something that I think about so much.”
(Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Players dream of a chance of performing in the Champions League, and only a handful of them, and clubs, make it, relatively speaking.
To give that opportunity up less than 2 weeks before making it a reality would be unthinkable to most, though some have their heads turned by lucrative contracts elsewhere as we’ve seen often, only to find out later than the grass isn’t as green as they’d hoped as the bright lights dim.
The team Ange has built so far, and is still improving upon, are more than capable of leaving their mark on Europe, and i think the players realise that!
Most of our team/squad are young guys with bright futures; there’ll be plenty of time and opportunities for them to try out pastures new further down the line of their careers, but for now they have a chance to take part in something that’ll stay with them long after they’ve hung up their boots and are enjoying a well earned drink by a poolside reminiscing