Matt O’Riley: Keith Wyness reveals the truth about Celtic transfer ‘stories’
Aberdeen’s former chief Keith Wyness has claimed he would be “very surprised” to see Matt O’Riley leave Celtic this summer.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the 66-year-old – who served as CEO at Aberdeen between 2000 and 2004, had lengthy spells as the chief of Everton and Aston Villa and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – suggested the 23-year-old’s agent will be “agitating” for a big-money new contract at Parkhead.
O’Riley has been the standout performer for Celtic in the 2023-24 campaign, notching 19 goals and 18 assists in 48 appearances across all competitions this term.
The Denmark international, who could play at this summer’s European Championships, is out of contract at Parkhead in May 2027.
He has been widely linked with clubs in England, Spain and Italy following his impressive form at Celtic.
O’Riley pushing for bumper new Celtic contract, says Wyness
Wyness claimed Celtic will want to keep O’Riley and could offer him unprecedented wages in order to do so.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “I’ve seen stories about Matt O’Riley possibly going off to Italy, and I thought straight away that it would be coming from his agent – because the player is negotiating with the club.
“I would be very surprised to see him leave. He’s someone who they would want to keep.
“I think now we’ll see Celtic offering wages that are good enough to keep players in Scotland, which would be good.
“That’s what they want to do, and he’s someone they can build a squad around.
“I hope that Brendan Rodgers is allowed to keep him.
“But there’s no doubt that his agent will be agitating for a decent contract, that’s for sure.”
In other news, Celtic plot Caoimhin Kelleher raid.
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