‘Huge club’ – The legendary Celtic transfer that once left new Rangers boss Russell Martin gutted

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The scene is now starting to take shape for next season in the Premiership.

Celtic will be defending their crown against new Rangers boss Russell Martin, after he replaced interim Barry Ferguson and the previously sacked Philippe Clement in the Ibrox dugout.

The former defender, who has tasted the might of Celtic before, has managed the likes of MK Dons, Swansea City and Southampton during his managerial career so far.

There is one Celtic link here with Martin, and that’s the fact that he worked with and managed Matt O’Riley during his time at MK Dons.

And, when he was at Swansea City, the Welsh club, alongside Celtic, fought for O’Riley’s signature, and the rest is history.

• READ MORE: How Matt O’Riley really feels at Brighton as Serie A club named as ‘big fans’ of Celtic hero

Matt O’Riley’s transfer to Celtic left Russell Martin ‘disappointed’

O’Riley was a popular player at Celtic, who was signed by Ange Postecoglou in 2022, before thriving under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers.

Celtic’s club-record transfer sale proved to be one of their best signings of the modern era, but when he made his legendary £1m move to Parkhead, Martin shared that he ‘congratulated’ the playmaker on going to a ‘huge football club’.

Speaking to Wales Online in 2022, Martin was gutted at missing out on O’Riley, but agreed that he still managed to get himself a ‘fantastic’ move.

“I love Matt,” said Martin in 2022. “I congratulated him, it’s a fantastic move to a huge football club.

“I’m disappointed we don’t get the chance to work with him again, but I’m delighted for him. It’s another player MK have done brilliantly out of financially. He’s got a fantastic move, all because of the style of play. He saw the big picture, and so did his agent at the time.

“He fits the profile, and is a player we’ve worked with. But there were other clubs looking at him as well. I don’t feel let down or angry, it’s where we are. I’m comfortable with that. The business we’ve done, I think, is fantastic.”

O’Riley’s record at Celtic

That touch, vision, silky nature, and calmness to his game are what made O’Riley so brilliant for Celtic.

There is a reason why Brighton – one of the best recruiters of talent in Europe – signed him up, and he has made a positive start to life in the Premier League.

Put aside O’Riley’s debut injury, he has done very well for the Seagulls, and Celtic fans will forever remember the joy he brought to the table during his time in Scotland.