---
title: "Celtic: McAvennie reacts to exit update on Matt O’Riley"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-spl-matt-oriley-frank-mcavennie-transfer-news-updates/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2022-12-20T14:10:05Z"
modified: "2022-12-20T14:10:05Z"
---

# Celtic: McAvennie reacts to exit update on Matt O’Riley

**[Celtic](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/) midfielder Matt O’Riley could trade the Hoops for an English club in the near future, according to former Hoops striker Frank McAvennie.**

### The Lowdown: O’Riley drawing interest

The 22-year-old has matured into an influential performer for Ange Postecoglou’s side, standing out with his silky style of play and wand-like left foot.

O’Riley has registered [seven assists](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/342889/Show/Matt-O-Riley) in 15 [Scottish Premiership](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/scottish-premiership-news/) appearances this season, being [hailed](https://twitter.com/GuillemBalague/status/1585183041994924032?s=20&t=bJEJ2C3vEh2OsiZhUWpFOQ) as ‘excellent’ by a UEFA Technical Observer after a recent Champions League clash.

The Englishman’s current deal doesn’t [expire](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/matt-oriley/profil/spieler/406634) until 2026 but that’s not to say that he won’t leave in the near future, with a report from [ESPN (via FI)](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-expert-matt-oriley-could-seal-premier-league-after-15m-update/) revealing interest from several of the Premier League’s elite in a deal that could cost up to £20m.

### The Latest: McAvennie talks up exit

Reacting to that news in a chat with [*Football Insider*](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-expert-matt-oriley-could-seal-premier-league-after-15m-update/), McAvennie admitted that O’Riley could be tempted by the wages on offer from the interest parties below the border:

> “It depends what he wants. Does he want medals? Because he will get a good contract at Celtic I would imagine. It would see him out for the rest of his life.
>
> “I would suggest if he goes to England it is not about winning things it will be about money. If he stays at Celtic he will win a lot more medals. If the right price comes in Celtic are going to look at it unfortunately.”

[Key latest Celtic updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/key-latest-celtic-updates-9/)

### The Verdict: Sell up?

The hope is that O’Riley remains at Celtic for many years to come, considering what a creative hub of the team he has become since arriving from MK Dons earlier this year, playing [2.2 key passes](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/342889/Show/Matt-O-Riley) per game in the league this season.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“415619″\]

The lure of the Premier League is great for any player however, for both footballing and financial reasons, and he could see that as a natural next step in his career.

Losing O’Riley so soon after arriving would be a big blow for Celtic, but with the report suggesting a deal could be in the [£15-20m range](https://www.footballinsider247.com/celtic-expert-matt-oriley-could-seal-premier-league-after-15m-update/), it’s hard to envisage the board saying no.