Brighton are poised to bolster their squad with the signing of Celtic’s midfield maestro, Matt O’Riley, in a transfer that’s stirring the Scottish and English football scenes alike. At the young age of 23, O’Riley has already carved out a substantial niche in Celtic’s history, contributing significantly to their recent domestic success.

O’Riley’s Journey from Celtic to Brighton

Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, has indicated that O’Riley’s transfer to Brighton is almost complete. “He’ll be down in Brighton completing his medical. That move should be done over the course of the next couple of days,” Rodgers disclosed to the press. Since his arrival at Celtic in January 2022, O’Riley has not only showcased his skill but also his relentless commitment to the club, featuring in critical matches and consistently adding to his goal tally.

With 27 goals in 125 appearances and a collection of six winners’ medals—including three Scottish Premiership titles—O’Riley’s tenure at Celtic has been nothing short of spectacular. His dedication was summed up by Rodgers: “He has been absolutely magnificent in this last year. He gave everything to the team and the club. Right up to his very last day he was out doing extra work. That shows the mentality he has.”

Record Transfer Fee on the Horizon

The transfer fee for O’Riley is anticipated to set new records for both Celtic and Scottish football, potentially eclipsing previous high-profile moves. This includes the £25m paid by Arsenal for Kieran Tierney in 2019. The financial narrative is also compelling, with Celtic likely to secure a significant profit on O’Riley, who was initially signed for around £1.5 million.

Rodgers expressed his perspective on the business acumen behind the deal: “I said before the window opened, you pay for the player not necessarily the league. The club have done great from a business perspective. From a football perspective, we’re sad to lose a top player.”

Celtic’s Strategy and Future Prospects

The departure of O’Riley is seen as a strategic move within the broader framework of Celtic’s development model. Rodgers is already looking to the future, aiming to reinforce the squad by the end of the transfer window. “Ideal scenario, we wouldn’t have to do so much business in the last week (of the transfer window),” he noted, emphasising the ongoing strategy to maintain the club’s competitive edge.