Journalist shares big Celtic club-record transfer update on Matt O’Riley

Journalist shares big Celtic club-record transfer update on Matt O’Riley

Celtic look to have a plan in place…

Celtic are top of the Scottish Premiership heading into the New Year and now look to have a plan in place regarding one of their star men at Parkhead, according to a report.

Celtic 2-1 Rangers

On a dreary Saturday in Glasgow’s east end, Celtic put in a stirring performance to defeat arch-rivals Rangers 2-1 at Parkhead courtesy of goals from Paulo Bernardo and Kyogo Furuhashi, who extended the Hoops’ lead at the top of the table to eight points heading into 2024.

In Scottish football, the winter break comes into play in early January and following their trip to St Mirren on January 2nd, Brendan Rodgers‘ side will head off for a few weeks before returning against Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup on January 21st, by which time fans will hope some new arrivals have already entered the building.

Journalist shares £10m Celtic transfer update he’s heard ahead of January

Recent reports have indicated Celtic could look to spend between £6-10 million in the mid-season window; however, this could also be dependent on players leaving the building during the month of January. Bringing in a striker, central midfielder and left-winger are believed to be key priorities for Rodgers, though he will also consider loan signings to help bolster his squad for the remainder of the campaign.

Outgoings may also be necessary to bring down the plethora of options the Irishman has at his disposal and forgotten summer signing Marco Tilio is said to have reached out via his entourage to former clubs Melbourne City and Sydney FC over a potential loan deal, according to reports in his homeland.

Now, Celtic appear to have a transfer plan in place regarding one of their star men in Glasgow who continues to make waves north of the border.

Journalist shares Matt O’Riley transfer update

According to Football Insider journalist Pete O’Rourke, Celtic are confident of securing a club-record £25-30 million for midfield sensation Matt O’Riley in the summer window, with the reporter sharing that the notion of the Hoops man departing in mid-2024 is increasingly likely.

Matt O’Riley key statistics in 2023/24 – Scottish Premiership (SofaScore)

Key passes

2.6

Big chances created

5

Balls recovered per game

6.7

Tackles per game

1.9

Shots per game

2.9

Despite major interest in the Denmark international from clubs in England and around Europe, it is believed that the 23-year-old is settled in Glasgow and is happy to remain at the club for the rest of the season. The Hoops would demand a fee beyond their highest-ever net gain for a transfer to even consider O’Riley leaving mid-campaign.

Labelled “wonderful” by Rodgers, O’Riley has added goals to his game this campaign, registering nine strikes alongside a further nine assists in 27 appearances across all competitions (O’Riley statistics – Transfermarkt).

All things considered, the Danish playmaker is arguably the Hoops’ most important player and Celtic should be looking to keep hold of his services for as long as possible.

Sean is a journalist at GIVEMESPORT and Football FanCast, covering Premier League football, transfer rumours and more.

Sean has worked for multiple digital outlets, such as The Sporting News, The Transfer Tavern and 67 Hail Hail focusing on all things football.

Massive Celtic fan and a firm believer that Kyogo Furuhashi is the best since Henrik Larsson, also a big supporter of the Scotland National Team.

Celtic Make Approach for EPL Defender

Celtic is reportedly setting its sights on Nottingham Forest defender Scott McKenna as they aim to bolster their central defence line.

Sources from PLZ Soccer indicate that the Scottish Champions have made tentative inquiries about the player, highlighting their intent to strengthen their squad.

McKenna, a solid fixture in Scotland’s national team, made his move to Nottingham Forest from Aberdeen in 2020 for a fee around £3 million. Despite a promising start, the 26-year-old has recently struggled to secure regular playing time, featuring only five times this season. This lack of game time could be a driving factor behind the potential move.

Celtic’s interest in McKenna is not new; the club had previously eyed the defender during his time at Aberdeen. However, the current scenario at Parkhead makes the move more interesting.

The club is also anticipating changes within its defensive ranks, with Gustaf Lagerbielke and Yuki Kobayashi likely to depart, and Nat Phillips’ loan concluding at the end of December. These potential exits would deplete Celtic’s options at the back. However with Scales, CCV, Nawrocki and Welsh, is there room for more

Brendan Rodgers made it clear Nawrocki will get more game time in the second half of the season. So perhaps this enquiry was made before Rodgers decided this?

His experience in both the Scottish Premiership and the English Championship could provide a robust and seasoned addition to the squad.

Celtic hero Chris Sutton blasts SFA over ’embarrassing’ mic ruling

Celtic hero Chris Sutton has blasted the SFA for their decision to block Hibernian boss Nick Montgomery from being mic’d up during the Edinburgh derby, calling it “embarrassing”.

 The Easter Road manager had agreed to fans watching on Sky Sports at home to hear him throughout the fixture after Hibs agreed to a request from the broadcaster.

It would have been a first in Scottish football along with Montgomery’s assistant Sergio Raimundo wearing a body cam.

And Sutton, who provided live commentary for the game, did not hold back when giving his thoughts on the decision.

Get More Out of Your Computer with Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 DocksAdd up to three Thunderbolt 4 ports, plus other USB and display and network connectors.Tech Advisor

Writing on X, he said: “Nick Montgomery was open and happy to be mic’d up for tonight’s Edinburgh derby.

“It would have been fascinating to hear how he worked and his mindset ingame. But for whatever reason the SFA blocked it.

“The SFA are an embarrassment and stuck in the past. Dear me…”

READ MORE: Why Celtic’s Luis Palma is the club’s most dangerous player

Meanwhile, Celtic coach Harry Kewell is poised “to leave the club in the coming days”.

This is according to the Scottish Sun who claim that the Australian “edging closer to being appointed as the new Yokohama F. Marinos boss.”

Kewell did not travel with Brendan Rodgers’ side on Boxing Day as the Hoops defeated Dundee 3-0.

Reports in Australia  state that John Hutchinson, who worked with Ange Postecoglou at Marinos, is expected to be his No2.

Rodgers previously confirmed that he would not stand in the way of Kewell joining the former J1 League champions.

He said: “”Harry has already managed before, so it is not new to him. He has had a taste of it and I am always one that if staff members want to broaden their horizons then I am very encouraging of that.

“It is also a sign that you have talented people if other clubs want them.”