Pundit Alan Hutton has been speaking about recent transfer specuation surrounding Matt O’Riley and he believes that the Celtic midfileder’s head will not be turned amid ongoing speculation linking him with English Premier League sides.
Newcastle United showed interest in the Danish U-21 International last Summer but failed to move for O’Riley – then at MK Dons, before Celtic snatched him from their grasp in the January transfer window. However, the Newcastle interest hasn’t gone away and Eddie Howe will have noted the outstanding impact that the player has made North of the Border and subsequently at Under 21 level for Denmark.
Last week’s reports that Newcastle were among the clubs scouting O’Riley while playing for Denmark Under 21s has added to the ongoing speculation. Speaking to Football Insider, Hutton gave his thoughts the Matt O’Riley transfer speculation
“I am sure if he is on social media at all he would know about all the speculation out there,” the former Rangers FC (in liquidation) defender said. “He will know about it. The club don’t have to come and say to you every single time they get an enquiry, it doesn’t really work that way.
“He will know himself he played well so there will be teams watching. He doesn’t seem the type of player that will have his head turned. He is focused on what he is doing best which is playing for Celtic at this moment in time.
“He has just got to the club, even though he is doing well and is a standout player, he still has time on his hands. I am sure there will be teams snooping about, so it will be interesting over the next season to see how he develops further.”
O’Riley is enjoying his time at Celtic, and still has four years left on his contract. He has become a key part of the team Ange Postecoglou has built and has made a tremendous impact in the small amount of time he has been at the club.
While still being relatively young, O’Riley is a fantastic asset for the Hoops and hopefully, he will only get better in the coming years. With any luck, O’Riley won’t be leaving Paradise any time soon an when he does it will be for a considerable transfer fee, perhaps a record for a Scottish Premiership club. Given that Celtic signed him for just £1.5 million, that would be some piece of business.
