Brendan Rodgers Praises How Matt O’Riley is Dealing With Transfer Interest

Matt O’Riley is a hot topic this summer. Off the back of a sensational Celtic season, the midfielder is wanted by several clubs.

Serie A outfit Atalanta is the latest side to have registered an interest in the Dane. They had an initial offer for O’Riley rejected by the Hoops before returning yesterday with an improved bid of around 17/18m euros.

It remains to be seen whether the 23-year-old will be a Celtic player come the end of the transfer window, but he is not letting the speculation faze him.

Indeed, O’Riley has captained his side in their last two pre-season friendlies and scored three goals.

He admitted he is ‘very happy’ to be skipper, with Brendan Rodgers praising his elite attitude and mindset.

“His attitude is first class”, said the boss (Football Scotland).

“There’s absolutely no change in Matt’s demeanour or happiness.

“He respects and knows the privilege it is to play for Celtic. He knows what Celtic has given him and the development that’s come from being here. So it’s not a burden for him to be at Celtic.

“He’s got a first-class attitude and that’s why we’ve been really comfortable with the situation he’s in. He can captain the team the other night and he’s a fantastic professional.”

It is difficult to think of a player who is equally as professional and talented as O’Riley.

The recent transfer interest in him comes as no surprise, and there is a sense of inevitability that we could be seeing the last of him in green and white.