Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers sends message to Atlético over Matt O’Riley | OneFootball

La Liga giants Atlético Madrid have today been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Celtic star Matt O’Riley.

The name of midfielder O’Riley, of course, has taken its place front and centre in the headlines in Spain’s capital over the course of the last 24 hours.

This comes after word was forthcoming in the media that the powers that be at the Wanda Metropolitano had tabled an opening bid for the signature of the 23-year-old.

The offer in question is understood to have come in the form of an initial loan, featuring an obligation to buy in the summer.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of the mounting interest in his engine room star’s services was put to Brendan Rodgers.

The Celtic headmaster, however, was unwavering in his response.

Confirming that the Scottish champions ‘immediately rejected’ Atlético’s proposal, Rodgers reiterated that O’Riley is absolutely ‘not for sale’:

“Matt O’Riley is a player we don’t want to lose and he won’t be going anywhere in January,” the Northern Irishman announced, as cited by Fabrizio Romano.

“He’s not for sale, we have immediately rejected the formal proposal from Atlético Madrid.”

O’Riley, for his part, has enjoyed a stellar season to date, to the tune of 10 goals and 12 assists in 29 appearances across all competitions.

Conor Laird | GSFN