Leeds United tabled a bid for Celtic playmaker Matt O’Riley in the summer but the Scottish champions had no intention of selling – and on Wednesday night, it was easy to see why, against Atletico Madrid.
O’Riley, 22, has been superb this season. He won the Scottish Premiership’s Player of the Month award for September. In 13 games for Celtic this term, he has had a hand in 10 goals – scoring six, four assists.
Sky Sports reported in August that Leeds tabled a £10m bid for the Denmark star, but it was rejected by the Hoops – who paid £1.5m to MK Dons in January 2022 for O’Riley. He is getting better, and better.
It has proven to be a wonderful decision by the Celtic hierarchy – while Leeds will be kicking themselves they did not go back in for O’Riley. His form was summed up on Wednesday, against Atletico Madrid.
Celtic produced a superb display and were unlucky not to beat Diego Simeone’s side, drawing 2-2 at Celtic Park. Kyogo gave Celtic the lead early on, receiving a beautiful, incisive pass from O’Riley.
Leeds target Matt O’Riley’s stunning Champions League assist
What a glorious bit of vision, and technique. Not only has he skewed it out wide to Kyogo to start the move, but O’Riley picks up a pocket of space and then, first time, picks out Kyogo with the perfect pass.
A beautiful goal. Well finished by Kyogo even if his first touch after O’Riley’s pass is slightly on the heavy side. Leeds made a number of signings and solved a number of areas lacking in depth in the summer.
But, they did not sign a no.10 – despite bids made for O’Riley, for Norwich’s Kenny McLean and then, the drama of Nadiem Amiri travelling to England but not making a decision. It is something we still lack.
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