McAvennie verdict on Matt O’Riley quitting Celtic next year
Frank McAvennie has claimed Matt O’Riley will stay at Celtic for another year before considering a move.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Hoops striker said O’Riley is not ready for a move to the Premier League yet.
According to the Daily Mail, reported in the Daily Record (18 October), Leicester City have stepped up their interest in the 21-year-old.
The Foxes are said to have sent chief scout Sean St Ledger to watch the midfielder during the defeat to RB Leipzig (11 October) as they prepare to make a move in January.
According to the report, the Denmark under-21 international has already attracted Premier League interest from the likes of Man United and Arsenal.
The midfielder joined the Parkhead club from MK Dons in January for £1.5million.
But McAvennie doesn’t believe O’Riley’s head will be turned.
“Listen, nobody noticed him [at MK Dons] and then Ange noticed him,” he told Football Insider.
“His idea of a player is different to everyone else’s. I do not know if O’Riley has got the pace for English football now. I think he is quick but the pace in England is frightening.
“I do not know if he would want to leave at the moment. I think he is really enjoying it, his family are Celtic supporters.
“Why would you want to go down to a team in the bottom half of England? He has just arrived really. I am not too concerned about him. I think they will get another year out of him.“
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