Fans part ways as star man nears move to Celtic

You can see why Ange Postecoglou likes Matt O’Riley.

A tenacious, technically gifted player, capable of breaking through defenses through the ball or making perfectly timed runs into the box, MK Dons conductor have had seven successful goals and six assists this term.

At the age of 21, he has plenty of time on the side, potential by bucket capacity and, for £1.5m, landing in Parkhead with a huge resale value.

Furthermore, left-footed O’Riley will allow Postecoglou to rotate his attacking midfield options, relieve the creative burden on overworked David Turnbull and Tom Rogic.

Whispering but Celtic may finally be about to get the services of the brave Ryan Christie’s replacement.

It’s been five months since Christie left for Bournemouth but, hey, better late than never, right?

Is MK Dons’ Matt O’Riley a Celtic £1.5m bargain?

“O’Riley just turned 21,” Quest’s EFL prophet Ali Maxwell said after the former Fulham youngster scored two photobook goals, one with both feet, against Morecambe in November.

“This is his first season in senior football and I think MK Dons has acquired a really special player.

“Sometimes you can tell when someone is a little too good for their level.

“When they have so much quality, when it looks like they have more possession time than anyone else, when it looks like they can do more with it than anyone else.

“I would gladly say that O’Riley ticked that box.”

Based on The Athletic, the former England Under-18 international will become Celtic’s fifth January signing. He will cost £1.5 million.

In a strange twist of fate, O’Riley arrived after Celtic missed his almost identical name – Riley McGree – to Middlesbrough.

Swansea City are tipped to capture a shining man under Liberty Stadium boss Russell Martin at MK Dons.

Understandable, with their current position at 17, Swans supporters were unhappy to learn that Celtic included them in the post. Especially for only £1.5 million.

But not the same bitterness is in the air at MK Stadium. After just 12 months and 53 appearances, the time for O’Riley to step up the football ladder has come.