Celtic star O’Riley ‘transfer target’ for Championship duo
Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley is reportedly attracting transfer interest from the English Championship.
It’s claimed the 22-year-old has emerged as a possible target for Leeds and Southampton.
The two clubs are plotting ambitious returns to the Premier League at the first time of asking after relegation last season.
And the Scottish Sun report that both clubs are showing an interest in the Danish under-21 cap.
It comes after a bid from Bologna was reportedly booted out by Celtic for O’Riley last week.
It’s thought Leeds boss Daniel Farke could swoop for O’Riley after moves for Nadiem Amiri and Kenny McLean were unsuccessful.
Now, O’Riley is reportedly a possible target for the German manager with Leeds reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Rangers midfielder Glen Kamara.
Meanwhile, Southampton manager Russell Martin knows O’Riley well having worked with the midfielder when he was at MK Dons.
On Martin, O’Riley previously said: “I felt I was in a good place with my technical development when I was at Fulham. I spoke to Scott Parker a lot when I was there.
“But Russell Martin is the one who I am still in contact with the most.
“He was a big influence on me at MK. He’s the first manager to really understand me as a player and more importantly as a person.
“I’m very fortunate I’m in the same situation here with the manager.”
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Luis Palma uncovered as Celtic incomer’s amazing dedication and love of the game revealed by former coach
Former Kilmarnock boss and Steve Clarke’s right-hand man Alex Dyer worked up close with the winger in Greece.
Luis Palma is set to be launched into the Ibrox cauldron for Celtic this weekend but Alex Dyer is convinced the kid will simply grin and bear it.
The former Kilmarnock boss worked with the Honduran wide boy at Aris Thessaloniki when he was Alan Pardew’s No.2 with the Greek Super League outfit. Palma could handle the heat on wild trips to face big guns such as AEK Athens, Olympiakos and Panathinaikos – where away fans are shut out.
It’ll be the same for the Hoops in Govan this weekend where Brendan Rodgers’ side will be up against it in front of 50,000 Rangers supporters. Dyer watched Palma play with a smile no matter where he went and he reckons the hit kid will have that grinning feeling with Celts. He said: “It can be quite crazy in Greece. It’s a better standard to what people might think. There’s not much difference between the two leagues, if anything, the Greek league might be higher in the rankings.
“It’s like when Celtic play Rangers. You don’t have away supports in Greece and the atmospheres can be intimidating. It’s intense and the demands are huge. But Luis is used to that and he handled it. I’m sure that will stand him in good stead going to Scotland as he won’t be overawed by the atmosphere.
“It’s a step up to Celtic but he’ll cope with Scottish football no problem. I have no doubt he’ll really relish getting his chance in the Champions League too.”
Dyer has no doubts about Palma’s ability. The youngster was one of the hottest properties in Greece with his flexibility to play on both flanks or just off the front.
The 23-year-old’s YouTube reel shows he can also fire a mean free kick and he’s already proved he can cut it with stand-out displays in the Europa League this season – including a goal in the 1-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv. But it’s the off-the-field attributes that Dyer is convinced will make the Honduras cap a hit in the dressing room as well as in the stands.
Dyer – who was Steve Clarke’s right hand man with Killie and Scotland before taking the Rugby Park reins himself – said: “The thing that stands out about him is his tremendous attitude. Luis just football, he loves training and he’s always got a smile on his face around the place.
“He’s good fun around the training ground but he takes it very seriously. He’s one of those guys who is happy to spend hours and hours on the training pitch.
“We’d finish up and he’d still be out there afterwards working on his game. There was this huge desire to improve all the time. I’ve got no doubts he’ll be popular in the dressing room at Celtic.
“First and foremost he’s a good person, full stop. He comes from a very humble background in Honduras and he has always looked after his family.
“We could tell he was a hungry player who wanted to do well for himself and his family back home. This is a great move for him. I’m delighted for him and I hope he does well – I’m sure he will.”
Dyer reckons Celtic are landing a top talent who will get even better. And he believes Parkhead is the perfect place for the youngster to kick on again to another level with Brendan Rodgers as boss.
Dyer said: “He’s a great lad. He’s a very good young player. He’s got two good feet and can play in a variety of positions. Luis can play as a 10 or on the left or right side and he’s got the quality to score goals.
“You can see he’s really good at set pieces, he takes a great free kick. I’m sure he’ll score goals for Celtic. He definitely won’t look out of place. He’s already involved in the Honduras national set up and this will help him kick on again.
“Celtic have a top manager in Brendan and he will take his career to the next level as well. I know Celtic have struggled in the last couple of games but they will be fine. To get someone like Luis to come in and play domestically and in Europe will work out well for everyone concerned.”
Dyer still keeps tabs on the Scottish game following his spell in the Premiership with Killie and with the Scottish national side. The 57-year-old is plotting his next move in the game following his stint in Greece with Aris on the back of a spell in Bulgaria with Pardew at CSKA Sofia.
Dyer is thrilled to see his big pal Clarke doing the business with Scotland and he admitted he’d gladly consider a return to the game north of the border given half the chance. He said: “I loved my time in Scotland. I still keep an eye on it and I’m regularly in contract with Steve, of course.
“He’s doing a brilliant job with the national team and it’s no surprise to me. “I’ve always said he’s a top manager. There’s been some talk about me coming back to work up in Scottish football and it’s something I’d always consider because it’s a great football environment.”
