Celtic fans will be eagerly awaiting to see if Matt O’Riley remains at the club beyond the summer.
The 23-year-old has had the season of his life and his best one to date after signing for the club in 2022 from MK Dons.
Matt O’Riley arrived as an unknown figure, many didn’t know who he was, but he soon transformed into a Celtic legend.
After winning the Treble under Ange Postecoglou last season, O’Riley has backed it up by helping the Bhoys win the double this season, including wrapping up the Scottish Premiership title during the final few weeks of the campaign.
The quick-thinking playmaker, who was snubbed by Denmark ahead of Euro 2024, scored 13 goals and supplied 11 assists for the returning Brendan Rodgers.
You can add to that three assists in six Champions League games, including a stunning last-gasp assist as Celtic beat Feyenoord.
But now fans are worried about the prospect of losing the player this summer as clubs across Europe circle around his signature.
Sources have told HITC that English Premier League outfit Brighton and Hove Albion are showing interest in the player and the club will demand a record fee if he is sold.
Mark Wilson was reacting to the prospect of O’Riley leaving and who could replace him if he headed for the exit door.
The name of Paulo Bernardo, on-loan at Parkhead this season from Benfica, was mentioned but Wilson wasn’t having any of it, even though he ‘looked ready-made’ to fill those shoes, as he told Clyde 1 Superscorboard.
Bernardo enjoyed a fruitful debut campaign in Glasgow, but Celtic would need to buy him outright if they are to keep him on.
And Wilson doesn’t feel the 22-year-old merits Celtic putting ‘£6 million’ down for his talents.
Paulo Bernardo to replace Matt O’Riley at Celtic
“Who would you pick to fill Matt O’Riley’s boots? Well, that’s a hard one,” said Wilson. “I had never heard of Matt O’Riley before he rocked up in Glasgow and he signed for £1.5 million. That’s incredibly difficult. The easy answer would be Bernardo.
“But I have spoken about my feelings about Bernardo. At times, he looked like a ready-made replacement for O’Riley. Just the way he looked and went about his business. Just before Christmas, he scored against Rangers. Did he score at Dens Park? At Dundee. Played well against St Mirren. I think maybe the break was the worst thing that could have happened to Bernardo because then he found himself out of the team again and (playing) in patches.
“I don’t think he is the ready-made replacement for O’Riley if he goes and, for £6 million, I still think that’s too much to pay for him. So, the answer is that it’s a tough one. But Brendan Rodgers, with his knowledge of the English game, I think that’s a market he is looking at, which I don’t know if that’s the right route to go down. Inflated wages and huge transfer fees.”
Celtic should sign Paulo Bernardo outright
Whether O’Riley stays or goes, you feel Celtic should look to bring Bernardo back next season, even if they can get him on a loan deal again.
People need to remember, this is his first season at the club and you could argue he did better than O’Riley in his debut campaign.
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Bernardo wasn’t always a certain starter, but when he was handed a run of starts, he didn’t disappoint, including scoring against Rangers during the New Year game.
There is serious quality there and something for Rodgers to work with going forward.
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