Last night, Matt O’Riley showed his continuing importance to our club by grabbing a goal against Chelsea, and proving that he is one of the key players here. In the aftermath of the game, Rodgers was asked all the usual questions about him, and gave the stock answer; Matt is a pro, Matt gets it, Matt is happy at Celtic, and there’s nothing else to say.
I said the other day that I’m starting to believe that we might retain him this summer.
The offers have been coming in. None of them meets Celtic’s mark. In fact, they are so far off the mark that I don’t believe there’s much chance, if any, that any club who has expressed interest so far is going to hit the mark. There might be a wildcard moment here, but it seems a long way off and as we go towards the end of the window it becomes nearly impossible to sell and then replace him.
If he stays, he’ll know that he is missing out on the chance to earn big, big money and possibly putting it off for another twelve months at least. If that happens, we should take him aside and offer him an improved contract to keep him sweet.
No changes to the current one. Just a better set of terms. He’s a key player. His salary should reflect that.
Under normal circumstances, it might see crazy to suggest that Celtic offers a player more money for staying one more year when he has a five year deal right now, but I think if Matt O’Riley is to remain at this club beyond the summer window, and in fact all the way to next season, it is important to keep him happy and focussed and playing … and the way you do that is to reward him for his loyalty and his understanding by making his contribution feel valued.
This guy is not stamping his feet for a move. That, in itself, is sort of amazing.
We live in a material world, and we have to assume that deep down Matt O’Riley is the proverbial material girl. Most players are. The best way for us to show the love and to show our appreciation to him and to acknowledge that if he’s to stay here another year that it will involve a big financial sacrifice is to bump up his salary a notch.
It’s not like we don’t have the money. It’s not like we won’t be getting it all back. Keeping O’Riley means having to sign one additional midfield player instead of two. It’s not like he hasn’t proved that he’s worth it. Matt is worth an extra five grand a week.
Celtic is a happy family right now. There don’t appear to be any major issues in the dressing room or out on the training ground.
There are no unhappy players banging on the manager’s door.
In many ways this is a tribute to the skills of Brendan Rodgers; one of the first thing he does at every club is weed out the non-triers and the guys who won’t cut it. He insists on team players, on a team philosophy, and he has already worked wonders on Matt O’Riley; O’Riley has made it clear that under Ange he didn’t feel as valued as he does right now, which is amazing considering it was Ange who signed him in the first place. He definitely enjoys playing under the current boss.
But that mood at Celtic is important to maintain. Whatever keeps everyone sweet, I have no doubt that it’s worth it.
The team needs some fresh blood, and this board should be left in no doubt about the level of anger if we don’t get it pronto, but it’s just as important to maintain the current mood. Matt has gone from being a big player to being a vital one, and whilst we all recognise that the right offer will move him on, if he’s going to stay we should be treating him like one. That will make any extended time here easier for everyone and we’ll see a better player as a result.
A simple but brilliant piece of insight. If we rate big Matt as a £30m player then pay him like one. It’s not as if he’ll still be with us in 10 years time and we can’t get shot like Tavpen and big hands Goldson at the stadium of lies.
What happened to James McCarthy? He still here??
Ah definitely think he likes playin under BR and it’ll be a massive boost tae us if he stays. Will be a big loss tae the team if and when he goes. Absolutely try and make it worth his while. What ye don’t want tho, is if he wants tae go sooner rather than later and Celtic hold him back due tae a fee disagreement. Because if that happens ye’ve an unhappy player on your hands. Make him a big offer.
A couple of suggestions for the club. Reward the players and managers handsomely from Europe by way of bonuses. Keep the wages within a reasonable level for Celtic, if all the team ends up doing is dominating domestically, but if they get in to say the CL groups, something we could essentially do every year, then give them the kind of money that would be nearer EPL money so as to make that desire less desirable than staying here and winning domestic trophies. At the end of the day, players would likely take less money to go play for the likes of Real Madrid if given the chance. And just on that subject, someone like O’Riley might prefer to play his football in la liga in the sunshine every week!
The other is to do away with our salary cap, and where I believe the captain is always on that? We could get some real good players on frees, pay them good salaries above what we currently pay, improve the team, and the rather than necessarily profit from their sale, have it so it pretty much cost you nothing while they were here when you sell them on. I’m sure if the manager sat down McGregor (or anyone else for that matter) and said we’re bringing in better players on higher salaries to help you be a better team, very little would complain
…………and they all lived happily everafter! 🙂
Your boss says he’s bringing in some more staff, on more money than you and “ very little would complain” ?
Dream on.
This is the real world.
More so for a professional Footballer with a short, limited time span and unpredictable career (injuries, new management).
So if they were bringing in Messi on whatever money, you’d be saying gtf because he was getting paid more? End of the day, these players get paid more, usually because they’re better, and I’m sure I’d rather have them in my team getting paid what I was anyway. Someone’s always gonna get paid more than you. Remember, this isn’t a normal job
I love O’Reilly but let’s not forget how good Mooy was once he was wound up to full speed. For about 4 or 5 months he was mostly unplayable, an absolute joy to watch. This was a major factor in keeping Matt out the team. But he knuckled down, probably realised that he was 10 years younger than Mooy, and now he’s getting his rewards, and fully deserves everything that’s coming his way.
I had a musical instrument once, many moons ago, which I saw offered on Ebay for £40,000 around ten years ago. Not sure if it sold but saw a similar one going for £16,000 about 3 years ago. The point I am making is that something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.
Matt O’Riley is a class player but the people who will ultimately decide what he is worth are those willing to buy him. It is basic economics but I agree if he doesn’t go they should keep him “sweet”.
It is why the Sevco players they want rid of, will be here next season Tav and TikTok included.
As an aside if Taylor takes more than 15 secs to take a throw in I would fine him £1000 as he seems to enjoy holding onto the ball as some sort of comfort blanket while the opposition’s defence organise themselves. Now Ralston’s started it.
Totaly agree Charlie, re- Taylor and Ralston. I was screaming at the TV screen last season At Taylor in particular, for wasting the chances that That would have had Celtic a lot further up the pitch, and also denying Celtic goal scoring chances.
I agree entirely with your sentiment James but with the money on offer to Matt from at least five leagues if not more would a pay rise of £ 5000 be enough? even if it was five times that much it surely wouldn’t even come close to what’s on offer elsewhere. One more season would be great as you said but we have to be realistic, piss poor championship sides have the financial wherewithal to blow us out of the water never mind Premiership, Spanish, Italian etc clubs, I just hope we can hang on to him for one more season, he is a gem.
On the same page as you Stephen as well as James. Reward performance and loyalty regardless of contract in place. The contract is merely a guideline.
I’m not sure if you got the crux of James’s point, it wasn’t about offering mega dough to Matt to match offers. It was about making a gesture of appreciation in recognition of his elevated contribution and effort and his loyalty for staying for another yr/2.
Also I’d like to say, not all players are the same as you indicated (James). Not all are mercenaries. I think Matt is completely grounded and is happy with his lot whatever comes his way and isn’t and won’t ever be one of those who chases the bling which is another reason why we should treasure him while we have him and the board shod show their appreciation accordingly.
This article is spot on, Celtic MUST keep Matt O’Reilly if they have any ambitions of making any roads into the Champions League. Brenden Rogers stated last season that we needed quality in the team and that’s exactly what this guy is. If the Celtic board let him leave because of their greed for money then what’s the point of buying a season ticket. If Celtic sell this guy then the ambitions of the club is clear…. there isn’t one
Absolutely right, he’s top class. Give him our best and if he progresses fair enough. We shouldn’t squeeze for every penny when it’s a reasonable guy and top performer. If someone pays the money then he’ll go but every effort should be made to show he’s welcome to stay
In principal I totally agree, but how will doing something like that affect the other players in the side, who I’m sure all feel that they are contributing to the team effort just as much as Matt is. I’s a hard one to justify, that they don’t get pay rises unless someone bids for them? I want to keep him, of course I do, but it might be better to keep things they way they are and cause no unrest in a happy squad.