MATT O’RILEY went through his repertoire as he scored his third goal of the US tour with the opener in the 4-1 triumph over Chelsea in Indiana this morning.
The masterful midfielder didn’t allow transfer speculation to knock him off his stride as he eased through his 73 minutes at the Notre Dame Stadium as he teasted and tormented the London outfit.
O’Riley, who captained the team and fired in a double in the 4-0 win over DC United in Washington a week ago, has been the subject of three failed bids by Europa Cup winners Atalanta with the Serie A club woefully short of the champions’ valuation of the playmaker.
JOY BHOYS…Matt O’Riley is congratulated by Kyogo Furuhashi and Anthony Ralston after the midfielder’s opening goal in the 4-1 win over Chelsea.
Southampton, too, have been linked with the 23-year-old Danish international, but their reported offer of £20million is still way short of what the Hoops hierarchy reckon the player, who has four years to run on his contract, is worth in today’s market.
Asked for an update in O’Riley’s situation, Brendan Rodgers admitted: “There’s been no change I am aware of.
“He knows he’s at a massive club. There’s been no change in his attitude of his quality and you can see that in the games.”
The O’Riley transfer speculation could run all the way to the August 30 deadline, but the gifted middle-of-the-park operator, a bargain £1.5million purchase from MK Dons in January 2022, has emphasised his focus is firmly on delivering for the champions.
Rodgers has revealed he is also hoping to have Paulo Bernardo on board in the upcoming week as he prepares his players for the Premiership kick-off with Kilmarnock the visitors to Parkhead a week today on Flag Day.
WAIT FOR IT…Benfica midfielder Paulo Bernardo is awaiting the green light to join Celtic.
Quizzed about the possibility of the Benfica star’s arrival in Glasgow, the Hoops gaffer, speaking to the Daily Record, responded: “I hope so. You want to have them in as soon as you possibly can.
“Their current group is working very hard in their own right and we’ll improve the squad over the course of the window.”
It looks certain the £3.5million switch for the Portuguese ace, who impressed during his loan season at the champions, is a formality, but the final terms have yet to be signed, sealed and delivered.
While there is talk of other new faces joining Bernardo and goalkeeping recruits Kasper Schmeichel and Viljami Sinasola at the club, Rodgers is also aware of Mikey Johnston’s position.
The Republic of Ireland international spent the second part of last season on loan at West Brom where he scored seven goals in 20 appearances.
The Glasgow-born winger was on target against the Stamford Bridge club when he stroked in the fourth and final goal.
Rodgers added: “It was just about Mikey coming back and getting himself fit.
“Mikey is 25 now and he probably wants to play. We’ll just wait and see.
“There was no real discussions yet, its just to get back fit and see where it takes us.”
