Celtic ‘boot out’ Serie A transfer bid for Matt O’Riley

Celtic have reportedly ‘booted out’ a transfer bid for Matt O’Riley.

The Scottish Sun claim Serie A side Bologna tabled an offer for the midfielder but it was quickly rejected by Parkhead chiefs.

O’Riley is under contract at Celtic until 2026 after his £1.5million switch from MK Dons in January last year.

However, it’s claimed the Serie A side were not put off by the lengthy contract and submitted an offer for O’Riley.

Now, after the first bid was rejected, it’s claimed Thiago Motta’s side are weighing up whether to return with an improved figure.

Bologna could reportedly face a battle for O’Riley’s signature though with a host of clubs linked with transfer swoops for the Celtic midfielder.

Italian and Spanish clubs have been credited with an interest as well as transfer possibilities elsewhere in Europe.

It’s also claimed that English clubs are “ready to pounce” with transfer bids for O’Riley this summer.

Meanwhile, O’Riley has insisted Celtic will come good this season after the exit from the Viaplay Cup to Kilmarnock.

He said: “It’s going to take a little bit of time.

“We have a new manager, a new style and lots of new players with different cultures. So, it’s going to take time. That’s natural.

“Look, we’d like to improve as quickly as possible because there are big games coming up every week. But at this stage it’s always going to be a work in progress for the next couple of weeks. In the coming months I think you’ll see a be a much better team.

“I hope for good things as I feel there is a lot of potential in the team. We’re such a young group when you look at it.

“We have a few experienced players, which is important, but I’m 22 and feel I’m one of the older players in the team now because we’ve signed a lot of young players.

“I just think that’s a good thing and a strength because young players tend to be pretty hungry coming into an environment like this.”