Celtic are still set to sign Milton Keynes Dons star Matt O’Riley – despite West Bromwich Albion making a last-gasp move to hijack the deal.
Celtic will have been fearing deja vu in their pursuit of signing a new playmaker this month.
It looked like Australian ace Riley McGree was on the verge of signing for Celtic earlier in January, but a late U-turn saw him join Middlesbrough instead.
That send Ange Postecoglou and co back to the drawing board. Celtic wanted a technical player who could play in various midfield roles.
McGree fit that bill, but Celtic have now found another in MK Dons star O’Riley.
The Daily Mail claimed on Wednesday that O’Riley was heading to Glasgow for a medical with Celtic after being personally convinced by Postecoglou.
Yet late on Wednesday night, fears arose again.
The Daily Record suggested that West Bromwich Albion made a last-gasp bid to sign O’Riley, desperate to hijack Celtic’s £1.5million bid.
It sounds like Celtic have avoided a McGree style transfer nightmare, with O’Riley still on course to join the Bhoys.
Missing out on McGree was far from ideal, but Celtic may have secured an absolute gem by landing O’Riley.
The 21-year-old was highly-rated at Fulham before leading in 2020, and he was actually a free agent for the first half of last season.
MK Dons pounced to sign O’Riley, and he has fitted in perfectly under Russell Martin and now Liam Manning.
O’Riley has been outstanding this season, bagging seven goals and five assists in 26 league games.
The 21-year-old has played as a central midfielder, number 10, deep-lying playmaker and has even played out wide in the past.
O’Riley seems to fit the versatile mould Postecoglou wants, and with West Brom seemingly fended off, Celtic appear to have landed their man.
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