Matt O’Riley won’t leave Celtic this month as Brendan Rodgers reveals Atletico Madrid bid booted out

Defiant Brendan Rodgers claims Matt O’Riley will not leave this month despite interest from Atletico Madrid.

Atletico filed a bid for O’Riley following a fantastic first half of the season in which he scored ten goals and assisted twelve others,

making it the finest season of his career in terms of goal involvement.

He has been perhaps their greatest player this season, and La Liga leaders Girona are also interested.

However, Celtic are not in a hurry to lose him,

and selling him this month will most certainly require a club record bid.

Boss Rodgers was speaking ahead of Saturday’s Premiership meeting with Ross County,

which marks the return of the league leaders. And he affirmed at his news conference,

He stated: “There was something, but Matt is a guy we do not want to lose.

He isn’t going anywhere in January, has been simply wonderful.

“It is a terrific example of what this club can achieve for a player.

He’s received his first full international cap. Atletico Madrid is a major club in Europe,

but he’s an important component of what we do here.

He will remain with us for the second half of the season.

“We don’t want to sell; we don’t need to. We have a player’s value,

and what has come in for Matt in the time I’ve been here is nowhere near that value or the skill he possesses.”

Meanwhile, teammate Liam Scales believes it’s not surprising to see O’Riley linked

with a move elsewhere after stepping up his game this season.

And he considers the playmaker to be the season’s best player.

He stated, “His ability will always be tied with moves and other clubs.

I don’t think that’s a surprise. He’s important to us, and in my opinion,

he’s been the best player this season a been fantastic, and we want to keep him.

“I’m not surprised by those rumors.” He’s a player in high demand.

Since his arrival, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional technical ability.

But he’s stepped up a level, and his numbers are much better (this season). he’s scoring more goals.

It’s probably a mental thing, knowing where he should be at the right time. That’s probably helped him a lot.”

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