Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou unfazed by recent transfer report

By Dave Flanigan

July 21, 2022

Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou has said he encourages admirers in his Celtic stars following Leicester City’s reported interest in Matt O’Riley. [The Telegraph]

The Australian spoke after Celtic’s 2-2 pre-season draw in Poland with Legia Warsaw, in which O’Riley stood out, as Celtic raced into a 2-0 half-time lead before being pegged back in the second period.

As reported by The Daily Record, Postecoglou said: “I encourage it. If big clubs want our players that’s great. It means they are going well. I keep saying to the boys, they don’t need to worry about their futures if they are the best they can be today. That kind of stuff doesn’t come on my radar so I don’t worry about it.”

The manager also claimed that he’s seen little to suggest that such interest would unsettle the Denmark U-23 international, who has enjoyed a stellar Celtic six months at Celtic following his January move from MK Dons.

Postecoglou said: “I’ve not seen anything from Matt to suggest he’s thinking about these things. The players know why big clubs might come in for them. It’s not because we’ve given them publicity – it’s the work they do, day in and day out.

“He’s got a lot more in him – they all do. That’s my job. For anyone here to be past their best, they might as well not be here. My job is to get more out of them. Obviously he had a big season here last year.

“He established himself at first team level at MK Dons and then with us. He’s just beginning his career. We’ll push him to be the best he can possibly be, as we do with all of them, because that’s what’s required here.”

With his contract running until 2026, Celtic could hardly be in a stronger position with regards to O’Riley’s future and it would likely take an astronomical bid for the club to consider cashing in on the midfielder.

Like many in this Celtic team, he has impressed in this pre-season, having scored a wonderful goal in the 4-2 win over Banik Ostrava in the Czech Republic.

The 21-year-old looks set to build on an impressive start to his Celtic career having scored four goals in twenty appearances last season, and will likely be a key man again when the new season commences on the 31st of July.

In other news: The Reo Hatate hype is building at Celtic after another classy pre-season showing