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Daily Record
Daily Record
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Liam Bryce

Matt O'Riley reveals Celtic beat the clock to land bargain transfer as he admits 'it might not have happened'

Matt O'Riley has revealed Celtic beat the transfer clock to land him for a bargain fee from MK Dons.

The midfielder was a £1.5million arrival from the English League One outfit in January and proved an instant hit with supporters.

His form has been rewarded with a call-up to the Denmark U-21 squad and he's told local media how the move materialised.

O'Riley recalled how it took just 10 minutes with Ange Postecoglou to be convinced Celtic was the place for him.

He told bold.dk : “I think I talked to their coach for ten minutes and then I felt ready. He told me all the right things, so a day went by and then it was almost in place.

“They redeemed my buy-out clause two days before it expired. It made it all a little easier, because if it had expired, MK Dons could have demanded a lot of money for me, and then it might not have happened.”

With Celtic in pole position in the Premiership title race, the 21-year-old is dreaming of playing in the Champions League next season.

This season's league winners are all-but guaranteed a path straight into the group stage, with just three points separating Postecoglou's side from Rangers at the summit.

And O'Riley added: "If we win the league, we can play the Champions League next season. Of course, this is something you really want

"Of course I have dreams of taking bigger steps in my career, but I take it as it comes. I just want to be as good as possible."

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