Rodgers could repeat Celtic’s O’Riley blinder in swoop for £1.6k-p/w “absolute hero”

With the permanent addition of Nicolas Kuhn from Rapid Wien earlier this month,

Celtic have completed their first signing of the January transfer window.

Since then, FootballScotland has revealed that Brendan Rodgers wants to bolster his roster before

the transfer window closes by adding a center-forward and a left-back.

Tommy Conway, the attacker for Bristol City, has been linked to a move to Parkhead

recently and is attracting interest from a number of clubs.

Celtic, and Rangers are all watching the talented young player.

By winning the race for Conway, Rodgers might now replicate the masterstroke the team executed in luring Matt O’Riley out of England’s lower leagues.

The record of O’Riley at Celtic

In January 2022, the center midfielder was acquired by the Hoops from League One team MK Dons.

During his 54 appearances with the English team, he scored 10 goals and provided 8 assists.

Over the past two years, he has advanced from England’s third division of football to become a

significant and outstanding player for the Hoops.

O’Riley is a terrific attack-minded midfielder for the Scottish giants,

having amassed 18 goals and 26 assists in 100 competitive appearances since moving to Parkhead.

Girona and Inter are among the teams showing interest in the 23-year-old virtuoso,

who has tallied 10 goals and seven assists in 21 Scottish Premiership games this season, according to Sky Sports

Given that big European teams are taking notice of him due to his excellent play,

it is possible that Celtic may benefit handsomely from the £1.5 million

they spent for him in 2022 if they ever decide to cash in on him.

Why Conway might be able to emulate O’Riley

Although it’s unclear how much would need to be paid to get Conway to leave Bristol City,

Rodgers may replicate the O’Riley masterclass by acquiring a young English player who,

at age 21, has opportunity to grow.

He presently represents Liam Manning’s team in the second tier of English football,

and he has drawn attention with some impressive goal-scoring displays.

The £1.6k-per-week striker, who talent scout Jacek Kulig once praised as a “absolute hero” for his club,

has scored six goals in 14 Championship starts, or just under one every other game.

He did so from 5.34 Expected Goals, demonstrating the young ace’s efficiency in front of goal.

His performance at that level throughout the 2022–2023 campaign further supports this.

Conway scored nine goals in 25 starts for Bristol City, and his teammates gave him 6.12 non-penalty xG.

Thus, since the beginning of the previous season, the Scottish finisher has scored 15 goals from an xG of 11.46.

This indicates that he could flourish in Scotland as a player such as Luis Palma,

who has created 11 “big chances” in 17 league games,

could regularly provide Conway with excellent scoring opportunities.

As a result, Celtic may give the 21-year-old star the ideal setting to increase his market value because

the forward would have the tools necessary to be a deadly scorer for Celtic thanks to his excellent finishing ability.

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