The Championship v Champions League but Matt O’Riley deserves new Celtic deal

Celtic are actively seeking new faces as the clock ticks down on the summer transfer window. Luis Palma looks all but done, with a loan move with an option to buy for Benfica midfielder Paulo Bernardo also on the cards.

Yesterday it was also reported that Leeds and Southampton were interested in Matt O’Riley. Interested is hopefully what it stays at, as we can’t sell any first team players before the window shuts. That should be imperative.

Celtic v St. Johnstone – cinch Premiership – Matt O Riley shoots during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on Saturday August 26, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh

Players like Matt will always catch the eye of other clubs, but Celtic is in a strong financial position and don’t need to sell. Matt like Reo Hatate is contracted until 2026 and the club are under no pressure to cash in, indeed his value will only appreciate so it would be bad business sense to sell on a player who will be worth more in a year or two from now.

Matt O’Riley should also be aiming higher than Leeds and Southampton. No disrespect to both clubs but they both play in the English championship while Matt is currently at a much bigger club who are competing in the Champions League.

Photo by Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock. Matt O Riley of Celtic celebrates with team mates after scoring to give Celtic a 1-3 lead. Aberdeen v Celtic, Cinch Scottish Premiership, Football, Pittodrie – 13 August 2023.

They might be able to offer bigger wages, but they don’t have the prestige of Celtic. The championship or the Champions League? It’s a no brainier for any ambitious footballer.

Talking of his wages, it’s rather curious that Celtic have agreed new contract extensions with Kyogo and Daizen Maeda and offered new deals to Reo Hatate and Liel Abada but we haven’t heard anything about Matt O’Riley getting rewarded for his outstanding contribution in a Celtic jersey by being offered a new and improved contract to extend his stay at the club. Maybe such talks are going on in the background or will begin when the transfer window closes on Friday.

Celtic v Ross County – Matt O’Riley crosses for David Turnbull to score the third goal of the game during the cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park, Saturday August 5, 2023. Photo Steve Welsh

Matt seems like a smart, ambitious young man and one who is happy at the club. He will get a big move one day, but to a bigger club than Championship sides like Leeds or Southampton.

Money talks of course, but I think Matt O’Riley will stay put at paradise for the time being. I’d be surprised if he decided to leave and also surprised if Celtic don’t look to give him that contract extension – on better terms – that he deserves.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy