The January transfer window is officially open for business and it remains to be seen how busy he is Celtic it will be before the early February deadline.
Brendan Rodgers he was supported by the board throughout the summer transfer window as the club brought in a number of new signings to strengthen the squad.
Arne Engels, Auston Trusty, Kasper Schmeichel, Paulo Bernardo, Luke McCowan and Adam Idah, among others, have joined on a permanent deal to add extra quality to the squad.
The Hoops are reportedly interested in making further additions for the Northern Ireland boss, with an attacking midfielder appearing on their radar as they have been linked with Manchester City’s James McAtee.
Celtic are also reportedly interested by agreeing a pre-contractual agreement with Kieran Tierney joining on a free transfer, and they are fighting for the landing Burnley star Josh Brownhillwhose contract also expires at the end of the season.
With interest in Brownhill and McAtee in particular, the Hoops may be looking for the next version of Matt O’Riley, who also arrived from England to star in midfield.
Matt O’Reilly’s Celtic last season
The English-born attacking midfielder, who joined from MK Dons on a permanent deal in January 2022 under Ange Postecoglou, enjoyed a stunning 2023/24 campaign under Rodgers.
O’Reilly had only scored three goals in 38 matches in Scottish Premiership in the 2022/23 season under the Australian manager, and the current Celtic manager has returned to help him unlock his full potential at the top of the pitch.
The Danish international finished last term with a sensational result 18 goals in 37 league appearances from central midfield, 15 more than he managed the previous season.
|
Matt O’Reilly |
22/23 Premiership |
23/24 Premiership |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
38 |
37 |
|
Goals |
3 |
18 |
|
It helps |
12 |
13 |
|
Great opportunities were created |
16 |
14 |
|
Key passes per game |
2.2 |
2.5 |
As you can see in the table above, O’Riley scored more goals, created more chances per game and recorded more assists despite playing one less game.
It shows that Rodgers was able to get the best out of the left-footed star, who provided regular quality as both a goalscorer and goal-maker for the Scottish giants, who won the SFA Cup and Premiership title that season.
Brighton then swooped in to sign the Danish wizard over £25 million in the summer, making him the most expensive sale in the club’s history.
The Hoops could, now, find the next version of O’Riley, delving into the English market once again to sign another left-footed playmaker to come and provide a huge attacking presence in Glasgow in the second half of the season. amid links to the player Rodgers already knows a lot.
Celtic interest in Premier League wizard
reported Football Insider last week that Celtic are interested in signing Chelsea outcast Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall in the January transfer window, with team-mate Carney Chukwuemeka also said to be on their target list.
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The report claimed that the Scottish giants are set to make a move for the English midfield talent, who only joined the Blues from Leicester City in the summer, as he has struggled to break into Enzo Maresca’s side on a regular basis so far this season. season.
He reported that the Premiership champions are monitoring the situations of Dewsbury-Hall and Chukwuemeka, with a view to trying to bring them to Glasgow on loan this month.
The paper added that there is a lot of interest in the former and that his preference would be to stay in the Premier League, meaning it could be a very difficult deal to get over the line.
Football Insider have reported that Celtic want to bring in another midfielder to bolster their options in that area of the pitch, however, and that could mean pushing to convince the left-footed star that a move to Parkhead is for the best next step for him in his career.
Of course, he worked with Rodgers during their time together at Leicester City, when the Celtic boss made his love for the midfielder clear, stating that he was a “real joy” to see him come through the ranks as a “revelation” for the Foxes.
Why Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall could be Matt O’Riley 2.0
Dewsbury-Hall, having already spent time with the Hoops manager in England, suggests he could be a perfect signing for the January window as he could slot straight into the team thanks to his pre-existing knowledge of the system and style of play.
It hasn’t started none of his five Premier League appearances for Chelsea this season so it may take a little time for him to fully develop, but his form with Leicester during the 2023/24 campaign suggests he has the potential to be a terrific player for Celtic.
O’Riley brought the Hoops’ attack to the Premiership last term as the top scorer and top creator of the teamwith 18 goals and 13 assists, and Dewsbury-Hall provided a similar threat in the Championship last term.
|
Season 23/24 |
Dewsbury-Hall (Championship) |
O’Reilly (Premiership) |
|---|---|---|
|
Appearances |
44 |
37 |
|
Goals |
12 |
18 |
|
Great opportunities were created |
20 |
14 |
|
Key passes per game |
2.5 |
2.5 |
|
It helps |
14 |
13 |
|
Statistics via Sofascore |
||
As you can see in the table above, the Leicester star made a huge impact in the final third with a fantastic return of 32 goals and ‘big chances’ created in 44 games, compared to 32 in 37 for O’Riley.
Dewsbury-Hall is a central midfielder who can push forward into the opposition’s area to decide matches with his ability as both a scorer and goal creator, as evidenced by his form in a title-winning side.
Therefore, the £80,000 a week The wizard certainly has the attributes required to be the new version of Matt O’Reilly’s club in the second half of the season, but it remains to be seen whether or not the club can get a deal done given his desire to stay in the Premier League .
