BRENDAN RODGERS took time off preparing Celtic for Wednesday morning’s Battle of Britian encounter with Manchester City to praise in-demand playmaker Matt O’Riley.
The 23-year-old London-born Denmark international is at the centre of intense transfer speculation with reports Liverpool are about to up the ante to lure him from Parkhead.
O’Riley took over the captain’s armband in the 4-0 win over DC United in Washington at the weekend and strolled through his 45 minutes on the pitch.
He contributed two goals to set the Hoops on their way and Mikey Johnston and James Forrest joined in the second-half after the midfielder had made way.
Rodgers couldn’t hide his admiration on the stylish performer who cost a cut-price £1.5million when he joined from third-tier MK Dons in January 2022.
SMILES BETTER…Matt O’Riley and Daizen Maeda celebrate at the full-time whistle in the 1-0 Scottish Cup Final triumph over Rangers at Hampden on May 25.
The Hoops gaffer said: “His attitude is first class. There’s absolutely no change in Matt’s demeanour or happiness.
“He respects and knows the privilege it is to play for Celtic. He knows what Celtic has given him and the development that’s come from being here.
“So it’s not a burden for him to be at Celtic.”
Rodgers, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “Clearly, he’s developed into a fantastic player and when you do that at a club like Celtic, there’ll always be speculation and interest.
“But while he’s here, we’ll always work on improving him, developing him.
“He’s also of that nature. He’s got a first-class attitude and that’s why we’ve been really comfortable with the situation he’s in.
“Matt can captain the team the other night and he’s a fantastic professional.”
O’Riley will go back into the shop window against Pep Guardiola’s Premier champions City in North Carolina in the early hours of Wednesday morning and again against Chelsea in Indiana on Saturday evening.
The Hoops fans hope the midfielder who contributed 19 goals last season will be in his usual berth when the Premiership kicks off against Kilmarnock at Parkhead a week on Sunday.