It’s not long before the 2024 summer transfer window re-opens and Celtic can get down to real business.
A lot of focus will be on who the club can bring in this summer because another Champions League campaign awaits.
But Celtic will be well aware that they have to prepare for teams across Europe trying to prize away their top stars.
Celtic’s best player right now is probably Matt O’Riley after he produced his best season during the recently concluded campaign.
The 23-year-old scored 19 goals in all competitions and supplied 18 assists, as he ensured Brendan Rodgers’ return was a very welcome one.
But many fans are now worried that one of the club’s key players could be headed for the exit door.
Sources told HITC back in January of transfer interest from Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid, but nothing materialised and now Celtic are set to demand a record fee for the player.
Peter Grant feels if ‘none of the big guns’ in the English Premier League want to sign O’Riley, then he should secure a move abroad, as he told Go Radio.
The legendary figure backed the idea of the snubbed Euro 2024 star, who wasn’t selected by Denmark ahead of this summer’s tournament, to make a move to either La Liga or Serie A.
Grant experienced why O’Riley’s qualities would be able to fit in and work well in those leagues.
Matt O’Riley in Serie A or La Liga
“Yeah, definitely (could see him in Serie A),” said Grant. “If we lose him. I would be looking at it. Who is going to take him in England?
“If it’s none of the big guns. The top six, as they say. If it’s none of them, if I was Matt, I would go abroad then, if that’s the case. Yes, you could to your Manchester United’s and Liverpool’s. That’s slightly different. There is no getting away from that.
“If Celtic got the money they want for him – and there is some sort of an agreement and you are getting good value, then I would say his qualities could definitely play La Liga, Serie A and that quality. That’s where I would be saying to him to go and play.”
Matt O’Riley stepping up
Celtic aren’t the issue here, but the Scottish Premiership.
As mentioned above, O’Riley was outstanding this season and the best player in Scotland, yet it wasn’t enough for him to be selected by Denmark for Euro 2024.
READ MORE: £20m deal opens door for Celtic to sign £3.8m ace Rodgers called ‘great’ in 2021
You feel he might have to step up a level, in terms of the league he is playing in, to get that recognition on the international stage.
You wonder how much this snub from Kasper Hjulmand will now push O’Riley to make sure he leaves Celtic this summer because he might have to be selfish and leave.
If he does, then fans will be forever grateful for what he has produced during his time at Parkhead, including winning the Treble under Ange Postecoglou.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
