What Brendan Rodgers is telling his Celtic players as teams lodge transfer bids

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has urged his players to stay focused and hard-working this summer as transfer rumours surround the squad.

The Bhoys have yet to do any serious business in the current window, though rumours and reports are ramping up.

Italian side Atalanta are thought to have lodged a bid for midfielder Matt O’Riley which was rejected by the Scottish champions.

Meanwhile, multiple clubs are chasing striker Hyeongyu Oh as Celtic consider a move for last season’s loan hero Adam Idah.

It can be a destabilising time and Rodgers has acknowledged there are a few distractions behind-the-scenes, but he wants his team to stay laser-focused on preparing for the new season.

Brendan Rodgers asks players not to ‘think too much’ about transfers

The Bhoys boss said [Daily Record]: “You never know what will happen but I always say to the guys to just stay in the present. Just stay on the day. Don’t look too far ahead. Don’t think about it too much.

“You look at Oh’s attitude. He was brilliant against Queen’s Park the other night. There have been bits of interest around him but like I said, just stay in the present. If you do that and work hard, then you can just see what will happen after that.”

The latest reporting suggests Oh isn’t too far away from confirming his exit. If that transpires, he’s going out with his head held high and still impressing his manager, which is a credit to him.

The South Korean forward didn’t quite click into full gear at Celtic – scoring 12 goals in 47 appearances – but has talent and could hit a strong streak of form with consistent week-to-week football elsewhere.

Matt O’Riley’s situation could drag on

With Celtic setting such a high bar for O’Riley’s exit it may be a situation that drags on for most of the summer – whether he is staying or going.

It’s even more important then that the midfielder heeds Rodgers’ advice and stays in the zone.

Competitive action comes around in just three weeks and he’ll be in the starting eleven if he’s still at the club. There’s no room for distractions at that point.