MATT O’RILEY is not a player Celtic would be looking to ‘move on’ in January according to Brendan Rodgers, after Internazionale were credited with an interest in the midfielder.
Reports in Italy have suggested that Inter are ready to launch a bid which would see the 23-year-old join the Serie A giants on loan for the remainder of the season before being obligated to buy him in the summer.
But it would take the promise of a huge – potentially even club record – fee for Celtic to be tempted to sell the Danish international in the winter window, and Rodgers is hoping he will get the opportunity to work with the player for some time to come.
“All I know is that I’ve really enjoyed working with him in this period,” Rodgers said.
“I’ve seen his game grow, develop and improve, and he has continued development there.
“Listen, I’ve been here long enough to know and understand how it works, but certainly, he wouldn’t be a player that we would actively be looking to move on in January.
“Clearly, players that are doing well will have interest. He’s done very well domestically and showed up well on the European stage.
“So, I’ve really enjoyed working with him and seeing the growth in his game, and hopefully that continues.”
While Celtic would insist upon a premium for Inter or any other club to prise away one of their key men in January, Rodgers acknowledges that the same principle may make it difficult for him to land his own top targets next month.
“It’s just all about the market, isn’t it?” he said.
“Most teams won’t want to lose their best players in January, so there’s always challenges around it.
“There is also always, I think, availability. It’s just about getting the right types, and that’s something that has been going on in the background here for a period of time.
“For us, I’ve always said we need to bring in players that are better. There’s a lot of players here, a lot of really good players, and then there are some players with potential.
“You also have to take care of the present as well, and that’s what we are looking at.”
