Celtic

Brian McLauchlin
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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The sale of Matt O'Riley to Brighton can only be looked upon in a financial sense as terrific business by Celtic.

To have a multi-million pound profit on any asset is the wish of every football club owner around the world and the Celtic board should allow themselves a pat on the back for this deal.

What it also does is begin a domino effect in terms of other deals potentially being concluded.

For Brighton, it might mean Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour moves to Serie A side Napoli but closer to home Celtic will also now look to spend some of that profit on new recruits.

Belgian midfielder Arne Engels is one being touted for a move to Parkhead and there are also suggestions Dundee captain Luke McCowan could follow suit before the transfer window shuts.

Indeed Brendan Rogers told BBC Scotland on Sunday that come the close of the transfer window on Friday night he believes they will have a stronger squad than they currently have.

The one thing we do know for certain now O'Riley has gone is that the Celtic boss is unlikely to waste much time in trying to bring in adequate replacements.

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Matt O'Riley says he has never experienced passion from a fanbase like he did at Celtic, and praised how "welcome" he was made to feel during his time in Glasgow.

The 23-year-old has signed for Brighton after two and a half years of success with Celtic, and while he says it was a tough decision to move on, he believes he is ready for a "new challenge" on the south coast.

"It is hard," O'Riley told Brighton's YouTube channel, external about leaving Celtic. "People probably don't realise how big the club is until you get up there.

"It's a real family club and I was made to feel welcome very early on. I think it's a very unique place in terms of the passion the fans have, that's something I'd never experienced before and I thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

"I'm still a little bit emotional speaking about it because I had such good memories there, but it felt like the right time for a new challenge. I only leave with fond memories."

O'Riley says the pressure to win every single game at Celtic pushed him to improve as a player.

"Celtic made me mature a lot as a person," he added. "You need to win every single game. If you don't win every single game, even if it's against strong opposition like Rangers, then it's an absolute disaster.

"So you really have to be on it and that relentless winning mentality has set me up for the next challenge. I hope I can bring some of that."

Charlotte Cohen
BBC Sport Scotland

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Matt O'Riley's Celtic exit has been something many supporters will have expected but few will be happy to accept.

When the midfielder joined the Glasgow giants from MK Dons in 2022, he was far from a marquee signing, but right from the outset it was clear Celtic were on to a winner.

Despite conceding a penalty and being subbed off with cramp in his debut when Celtic beat Hearts 2-1, he still managed to impress fans with his performance, and he only got better from there.

Since his league debut in 2022, the 23-year-old has the most assists of anyone in the Scottish Premiership with 29. Six better than James Tavernier on 23 and nine better than Blair Spittal on 20.

Apart from Tavernier, O'Riley is the only non-striker in the top six goal-scorers from the Scottish top flight in the last two and a half years.

He's found the back of the net 25 times, only two less than Kevin van Veen and five more than Aberdeen's Duk.

Not only did the Denmark international average just under 300 minutes per goal in the league for Celtic, he also created 217 chances, highlighting the all-round threat he posed.

O'Riley's successor already in the building?

When the news of Paulo Bernardo's permanent deal was announced, it was pretty safe to assume that he was on the way to succeeding O'Riley in the midfield.

With a bit more time under his belt, the 22-year-old has the talent to cement a starting role in O'Riley's absence.

Reo Hatate - fully fit once more - has also played a huge part in Celtic's success in recent seasons, and he was sorely missed during his time on the sidelines.

It's obvious the Japan international and captain Callum McGregor will retain their place in the starting lineup, but once you look past those two and Bernardo, the options in midfield start to become limited.

Odin Thiago Holm has yet to really find his feet in Glasgow while James McCarthy hasn't made a first team appearance since October 2022.

One thing is abundantly clear, O'Riley's departure will leave a massive hole in that Celtic midfield, but do they have enough time to fill it? One suspects they will dip into the transfer market in the days to come.

Matt O'Riley's much-expected transfer to Brighton has gone through, with Celtic receiving more than £25m for the midfielder, who shone during his time in Glasgow.

How do you look back on the Denmark international's time with Celtic? Are you happy with the fee? And who would you like to see brought in to replace him?

Have your say on the transfer here, external.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers says Matt O'Riley was a "joy" to work with and wished the midfielder well with Brighton & Hove Albion.

O'Riley has joined the Premier League side for a fee believed to be more than £25m, having signed for Celtic from MK Dons in January 2022 for a reported fee of £1.5m.

Rodgers hailed the Denmark international's attitude and backed him to deliver for Brighton.

"As a coach who's coached many players, he did everything he can to be the best player that he can be," the Celtic boss said after his side's 3-0 win over St Mirren.

"And his behaviour, his decency all the way through pre-season was absolutely a joy to see. From a young player who's got the riches of the Premier League in sight, he never lost his focus for Celtic.

"And when you work with a player like that, you want them to succeed. Celtic won't be the end game for some of these players, but it's going to give them so much. And he leaves here now a winner, a better footballer and ready to play for any team in the world.

"When you play for Celtic, and the pressure, and you become a winner, he can go on and play for most teams in the world now.

"His behaviour was second to none. He's a good guy and I hope he does well."

Jonathan Sutherland
Sportscene presenter

Celtic cruised to a 3-0 win away to St Mirren on Sunday, and have three players in my Team of the Week.

Alistair Johnston takes the right-back berth. The Canada international is a seriously impressive performer who took his goal well and helped Brendan Rodgers' side to another clean sheet.

Captain Callum McGregor should retire from international football more often if his early season performances are anything to go by! Scotland's loss is very much Celtic's gain - McGregor is an outstanding on a regular basis and looks especially bright right now.

It's difficult to know who was better in Paisley between McGregor and Reo Hatate so they both have to be included. I get the feeling we still haven't seen the best of Hatate yet.

Watch highlights as Celtic beat St Mirren in the Scottish Premiership.

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We asked you for your views following Celtic's comfortable win against St Mirren on Sunday.

Here's what you had to say:

Tom: Very good team performance. From back to front, they were in total control and could have had more goals. Kasper's distribution and the back four are solid, that said, along with strengthening the midfield, we need cover in central defence and left back, but looking good.

Russell: The domestic form has been good so far with strength across the team, however the squad depth is not very balanced with weaknesses in each area of the team. Four or five additions required.

Tony: I was curious as to how we would get on with a more organised team, but our passing and pressing in the game from start to finish was fantastic. The board must back Rodgers this week to continue our dominance domestically and make some kind of mark in Europe. A left-back and centre-half very much needed for heading into the Champions League.

Neil: Idah and Bernardo were reported missing. We might do all right domestically but will get a total shellacking in Europe.

Rodgers clearly has his hands tied behind his back. Lots of money in but not a great deal out and that which has gone out, was uninspiring. We will do okay domestically against mediocre opposition, but we will as a club not move forward.

Gordy: Top notch performance. Hatate is more than capable of driving the team forward with the departure of O'Riley. Calmac superb again and Bernardo will improve with more game time.

Looking forward to seeing who we bring in with the O'Riley money as we have to add quality for Champions League. Overall, a great start to the season. Top of the league with no goals lost.

Peter: Another very good performance. Cant ask for more with nine from nine, a good start to the title defence. Pity to lose O Riley, a stand out player. Quality of new recruits will determine how our season finishes.

It was a major mistake not to sign Szmodics, a proven goal scorer. We must sign quality rather than project players. Next weekend will be big for us.

Edward: Good, fast start. Controlled the first half with ease but slow start in the second half gave St Mirren some hope.

Hopefully play as good in the first half for the whole game against Rangers next week otherwise we may struggle as I don't think Rangers are as bad as some believe.

Celtic are closing in on the loan signing of Barcelona left-back Alex Valle, with the Scottish champions paying a fee of around £1.3m for the 20-year-old who has signed a new contract until summer 2026 after spending last season with Levante. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Alex Valle, the 20-year-old left-back who has just signed a new deal with Barcelona until June 2026, will travel to Glasgow on Monday to undergo a medical with Celtic after a loan deal with no option to buy was agreed. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Celtic have approached Lazio to take 23-year-old Danish winger Gustav Isaksen on loan with an obligation to buy. (Repubblica Roma via LazioNews24), external

Read Monday's Scottish Gossip in full here.

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Celtic began life without Matt O'Riley with a comfortable Scottish Premiership win away to St Mirren.

The Denmark international midfielder was left out of Brendan Rodgers' squad for the trip to Paisley as he closes in on a move to Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion.

It did not affect the league champions though, as captain Callum McGregor fired them into the lead inside three minutes.

Reo Hatate lashed in a second to put Celtic in command, before Alistair Johnston made it three in the second half following good work from Nicolas Kuhn.

The result was never in doubt and the margin of victory could have been greater were it not for a string of saves by St Mirren keeper Ellery Balcombe.

Celtic are top of the table after three wins from three, while St Mirren sit seventh on three points.

Have your say on the Celtic performance here, external.

George O'Neill
BBC Sport Scotland

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The big news before kick-off in Paisley was the confirmation that Matt O'Riley's Celtic departure is imminent, with the midfielder undergoing a medical with Brighton.

Paulo Bernardo replaced the Denmark international in the Celtic line-up, and while the former Benfica man will be expected to replace some of O'Riley's goals, it was the two established midfield stars who led the way for the visitors.

Callum McGregor lashed a low left-footed drive into the bottom corner in just the third minute, using the slick surface to his advantage, and Celtic never looked back.

Reo Hatate added a second with a lovely first-time finish from Daizen Maeda's knock-down and it could have been more in a magnificent first half.

Brendan Rodgers' side pressed St Mirren into submission, forcing errors in dangerous areas and popping the ball about with confidence on the slick Paisley surface.

The Celtic dominance continued after the break, and their third goal was fully deserved.

Nicolas Kuhn - who was sharp once again off the bench - drove into the St Mirren box, and teed up Alistair Johnston, who fired high beyond Balcombe's despairing dive.

There will be tougher tests to come, but midfield performance will have been particularly heartening for Rodgers.

Hatate in particular shone, picking up dangerous positions with his clever movement and creating five chances in addition to his goal. If he can stay fit, he has the ability to step up in O'Riley's absence.

Next up for Celtic? Rangers at home in the first Old Firm clash of the season next Sunday.

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Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate was superb in Paisley, creating more chances than anyone else on either side (five), picking up pockets of space and deservedly getting on the scoresheet.

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Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers: "In terms of performance and result, in difficult conditions, the players were good right from the off.

"A player of Matt O'Riley's quality will always be missed, but we never leave the burden to one player. Everyone contributes. Matt has moved on - fantastic for him and there's opportunity now for other players to come in.

"We'll bring players in, hopefully. What I do know is that by next Friday we will have improved the squad."

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Celtic have begun negotiations with Augsburg for the potential transfer of 20-year-old midfielder Arne Engels, who is valued at around £9m, to the Scottish champions. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Celtic are continuing talks to sign 23-year-old midfielder Mateusz Bogusz from Los Angeles and have enquired about taking winger Jota back on loan, but Al-Ittihad would prefer to sell, with Rennes also making their interest known in the 25-year-old. (HITC), external

Celtic have been told they will have to pay around £8m to secure Bogusz. (Sunday Mail), external

Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley travelled to the south coast on Saturday for a medical with Brighton & Hove Albion after a deal in principle was agreed between the clubs for the 23-year-old Denmark international. (Anthony Joseph on X), external

Brighton hope to confirm the signings of O’Riley and Fenerbahce full-back Ferdi Kadioglu for a combined £55m early next week. (HITC), external

O’Riley and Kadioglu will both sign for Brighton this weekend, with Celtic and Fenerbahce having authorised medicals for the players after all the agreements were completed. (Fabrizio Romano on X), external

Read Sunday's Scottish gossip

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Brendan Rodgers is expecting a tough test at the SMiSA stadium on Sunday.

Celtic have taken full points from each of their Scottish Premiership games so far and the manager believes his side are in a good place ahead of their next clash.

"Stephen is an excellent manager, I really like him," Rodgers told club media, external.

"He's very honest to the game, he works tirelessly and for St Mirren to have been in Europe is a real testament to the work they've done there.

"We always respect the opponent that we're playing. We'll be ready for the weekend.

"We're in a good flow, working really hard in training and taking that in to games and we look forward to Sunday."

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New signing Killian Phillips goes straight into the St Mirren squad while captain Mark O’Hara has returned to training following a thigh injury and will be assessed. Conor McMenamin (knee) and Greg Kiltie (ankle) are both long-term absentees.

Celtic have Kyogo Furuhashi back from a shoulder problem but Mikey Johnston remains out with a facial injury and Maik Nawrocki is working his way back from a calf problem.

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Callum McGregor says keeping Matt O'Riley would be a huge boost to Celtic.

O'Riley has been the subject of heavy speculation during the window after a stand-out season for the Glasgow club.

"It's something we can’t control," McGregor said of the speculation.

"The guys that are linked are happy and training well. All we can ask as a group of players is that we treat each other with respect and give our maximum on the training pitch.

"Of course you want to keep your best players and naturally they will attract attention.

"I don't want to influence him [Matt O'Riley] either way. I don't want him to think I have an agenda.

"He's been fantastic for us and I'm here to help him if he needs anything, but, to be honest, he's been fantastic in the way he has dealt with it.

"He can hold his head high with the way he has conducted himself.

"If we can keep him, for sure that will help the group."