Brendan Rodgers provides an update on Matt O’Riley at Celtic following his multi-million pound move to Leeds United.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers is hoping to re-sign Leeds United target Matt O’Riley after rejecting a “big-money” £10 million deal from the Yorkshire club this summer, according to the Scottish Daily Mail.
The newspaper reported in their print version [29 September, page 73] that the English Championship side had made a big-money proposal, with Rodgers declaring his club couldn’t afford to lose another starting player.
He also claims O’Riley has showed no desire to leave Glasgow because he knows the club is investing in his development to help him improve as a footballer.
“I didn’t think we could afford to lose another starter,” Rodgers told the Scottish Daily Mail [29 September]. They were fantastic.
“Obviously, we’d lost [Carl] Starfelt and Jota, and we knew Cameron Carter-Vickers was going to be out for a while, so I didn’t think we could lose another.”
“But, of course, that’s all on the player, because if the player really wants to move and pushes for it, I’m also a believer that if he doesn’t want to be here, don’t be here.”
“I’ve been in situations where you think you can keep them for another year, but they’re not the same player if they really, really want to leave.” Matt never gave me that impression.
“He understands that I am investing in him to help him improve. He knows he still has work to do, and hopefully this part of the season proves to him that I can still progress and develop him as a player. In a year’s time, his worth will undoubtedly rise.”
Leeds may have missed out.
The club’s last-ditch effort to complete a deal for the highly rated midfielder was surely admirable. While the £10 million bid was insufficient to entice the Glasgow giants to sell, it demonstrated Leeds‘ ambition.
Celtic‘s commitment to keep O’Riley at the club, as well as Rodgers‘ suggestion that his price will rise throughout the season, demonstrate the club’s faith in his abilities, and he will become an important member of their side as they attempt to win another Scottish Premiership title.
With four goals and two assists in six SPFL appearances this season, the midfielder is proving that he made the right decision to stay in Glasgow. If he maintains his current form, he will almost certainly be pursued by the Premier League next summer.
While Leeds may have missed out on O’Riley, their goal of promotion to the Premier League may put them in a position to rekindle their interest next year. If they do not succeed, he will most likely go for greener pastures.
Leave a Comment