Latest news with #MattO'Riley
Scottish Sun
02-06-2025
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Matt O'Riley's Brighton future ‘uncertain' as Premier League rivals target Celtic hero just nine months after £25m move
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) IT hasn't even been a year since Matt O'Riley sealed a bumper exit from Celtic for £25million. But just nine months on from his megabucks switch to Brighton, the midfielder could be on the move again. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 3 Matt O'Riley scored for Brighton against Tottenham on the final day of the season Credit: EPA 3 His spell with the Seagulls got off to a nightmare start Credit: Getty 3 The midfielder was a star man at Celtic Credit: PA O'Riley had established himself as Celtic's main man and enjoyed a stunning 2023/24 campaign. He scored 18 goals in 37 Scottish Premiership appearances as the Hoops retained the league title in Brendan Rodgers' first season back as manager. O'Riley had been a revelation at Celtic Park following his £1.5million switch from third tier English side MK Dons back in January 2022 under Ange Postecoglou. His performances quickly caught the attention and by the time the summer transfer window came around last year, it looked like an uphill battle for Celtic to keep the fans' favourite at Parkhead. And so it turned out, as in late August, O'Riley sealed a Scottish record £25m-plus transfer to Brighton and he signed a five-year contract. The big move began in nightmare fashion for the Denmark international. He made his debut in an EFL Cup clash against Crawley the day after completing his move but lasted just nine minutes. A horror tackle resulted in O'Riley having to undergo ankle surgery and he wasn't able to return to action until November. He made his comeback in style, netting a late winner for the Seagulls in a memorable 2-1 win over Manchester City. All in all, however, it was a frustrating season for O'Riley. Matt O'Riley limps off just minutes into Brighton debut after horror Crawley tackle Despite returning to fitness, he failed to hold down a regular starting spot in Fabian Hurzeler's side. Carlos Baleba has been a first pick in the German boss' midfield, while January signing Diego Gomez has also slotted in since his arrival from Inter Miami. The likes of Yasin Ayari, Brajan Gruda and Jack Hinshelwood have also been used more regularly. That's meant O'Riley has largely been restricted to a substitute's role although he did mange a few more starts towards the end of the season, starting six of the last eight matches. O'Riley netted from the spot in the final day 4-1 win over Tottenham after coming off the bench. He's already been linked with an exit from Brighton this summer, with unnamed clubs from England, Germany and Italy credited with an ongoing interest in him. Now, Sky Sports claim that Everton are 'keen' on signing O'Riley should Brighton be willing to let him leave. The report says that there is 'uncertainty' surrounding his future but that the Seagulls also believe O'Riley can play a significant role next season. Meanwhile, Everton have also been linked with a move for Rangers star Mohamed Diomande. The 23-year old joined the Light Blues on an initial loan deal from Danish club Nordsjaelland in January 2024, before the move was made permanent last summer. Diomande is under contract at Ibrox until 2028. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Record
01-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Celtic flip script on bragging Rangers poster slogan and £20m takeover injection won't send shockwaves around Parkhead
For every fiver Celtic spend, we will spend £10. It's one of the most famous quotes in Scottish football history. But it turned out to be one of the most prophetic. A bit like a war movie when some hapless side character is telling his platoon that he's going to get married, start a family and work on a farm once the fighting is over. Right at that moment you know the poor sod isn't going to make it. Dead meat. Likewise, Sir David Murray's brag during the cash-splashing days at Ibrox became the poster slogan for the club's financial meltdown. Since then it has served more as a warning than a business plan. And yet here we are. Old Firm fans are wanting their team to tool up for another mega money arms race. Only the roles have been flipped this time. The Rangers takeover being rubber-stamped has got Gers fans giddy about the prospect of finally emerging out of the dark ages after a few too many false dawns. OK, promises of share issues, £20million investments and 'foundation of financial stability' might sound more sensible than sensational but there is a feeling there will be dosh spent on sorting out the playing squad and everything else. And it's only natural Celtic fans are now looking to the folk in charge at Parkhead and wondering how they will respond. The thing is, Celtic do have a lot of lolly. They could slap down a tenner for every fiver Gers spend. It remains to be seen if the £20m is the pot for summer transfers at Ibrox or is on top of the usual outlay. Either way, it's not a figure that should send shockwaves through the Parkhead board room. Celtic spent £39m in the last two windows. Crucially, though, they still made a profit when it came to player trading. The sales of Matt O'Riley, Kyogo, Alexandro Bernabei, Mikey Johnston, Tomoki Iwata, Oh Hyeon-gyu and Sead Haksabanovic brought in more than 40million bucks. Hoops fans sometimes do their dingers at their club's recruitment but that's a set-up that the new Rangers owners would snap up in a heartbeat. There's every chance it could be the same this summer. Selling fringe men such as Gustaf Lagerbielke, Yang Hyun-jun and Maik Nawrocki, plus the £3m Jeremie Frimpong windfall, could see Celts bank around £10m. And if a Reo Hatate, Daizen Maeda or Nicholas Kuhn decide it's time for a change, there could be another £20m-plus coming in. Chuck in the £70m already in the bank and the club have the capacity to go toe-to-toe in any star wars battle in Glasgow. Rangers' new crew have the financial might of the San Francisco 49ers investment pot behind them but, by the looks of sister club Leeds United, they are not going to go all Govan Galacticos. They'll spend sensibly and build gradually. The question is whether Celtic are proactive or reactive. They went big in 2020 with 10-in-a-row on the line, splurging £30m and hoarding players who wanted to be elsewhere – and it backfired spectacularly. Last summer was a shift in strategy with fewer signings but more money spent on individuals – £25m or so on Arne Engels, Adam Idah and Auston Trusty. How that panned out is up for debate. The key to happiness is somewhere in between. The most productive signings are not always the most expensive. The likes of O'Riley, Maeda and Hatate cost less than a big house in Bothwell. Celtic fans will be demanding tenners for every fiver but the club need to stick to their guns and ignore the Old Firm cold war arms race.
BBC News
28-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Brighton show promise under Hurzeler in a season of transition
Fabian Hurzeler deserves huge credit for securing the club's second-highest Premier League finish in his first season in charge. A points tally of 61 was only one shy of the campaign that delivered Europa League football under Roberto de Zerbi with help from Graham Potter. The lack of European football next season will be a frustration, but it is not the only target for this the 32-year-old arrived, he stated he wanted to "challenge the establishment", and in terms of league position, he came very close. At times, the Seagulls bloodied a few noses with some stand-out performances, securing wins over both this season and last year's champions along the way. Hurzeler continues to strive for consistency, and that has been difficult to achieve for a host of business and big-name sales allowed huge investment last summer, but Hurzeler has been hampered hugely by injuries to new signings Matt O'Riley and Ferdi Kadioglu as well as dependable Solly March and the experienced James Milner. Adding that to several shorter absences from regular key first-team players, he did not name the same starting XI in any Premier League game this style has evolved, but the high-intensity football is clear to see. Goals have not been a problem with three individuals making double figures for the first time. Defensively, the team has looked slightly suspect at times, but the stats are skewed by that 7-0 defeat at Nottingham Forest. Ironically, that loss sparked a brilliant run, and that has been the story this season. The good results have come in streaks, finishing the campaign with 13 points from a positive 15. Away from the league, the defeat in the quarter finals of the FA Cup also hurt, especially when arch rivals Crystal Palace, went on to lift the with the past five or so seasons, the next challenge is to deal with inevitable interest in the star performers. Joao Pedro, Kaoru Mitoma and Bart Verbruggen will all have their suitors but, as ever, the club will only sell at the right price and when it already has a replacement in-house or on the way in. A season of transition has shown huge promise, and an ambitious head coach will be hoping to build on a decent platform next year.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Tottenham 1-4 Brighton: Spurs sign off for Premier League season with another defeat
Europa League winners Tottenham were brought back down to earth with a 4-1 home loss to Brighton on the final day of the Premier League season. Dominic Solanke put Spurs ahead after 17 minutes to continue the feel-good factor after Wednesday's 1-0 win over Manchester United in Bilbao ended a 17-year wait for silverware. With uncertainty over the future of Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou, the Australian would have been eager to end a horrid domestic campaign with one final victory, but Jack Hinshelwood struck twice in quick succession after the break for the visitors. It was followed by a late third by Matt O'Riley's penalty before Diego Gomez struck a superb fourth in stoppage time to help Brighton finish eighth, but that was not enough to secure European football. Defeat for Spurs meant they recorded a lowest ever Premier League finish of 17th, but the full-time whistle was blown with home supporters waving flags and singing for the team following their European triumph. Tottenham were back in action after their historic victory at San Mames and, despite three days of celebrations, Postecoglou started eight players from Wednesday. This included midweek hero Brennan Johnson, who had been the last to leave the stage during a euphoric open-top bus parade on Friday night. A sea of blue and white flags greeted Spurs onto the pitch before a predictably sluggish start followed, with Simon Adingra dragging an early shot wide for Brighton and Mats Wieffer then sent an effort over. It took only four minutes for Postecoglou to be serenaded by the home fans and, with quarter of an hour played, Spurs were awarded a spot-kick. Mathys Tel was caught in the penalty area by Wieffer and Solanke stepped up to lift the ball into the roof of the net to make it 1-0 after 17 minutes. Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, captain in the absence of Son Heung-min, kept out a Hinshelwood header at the near post in the 30th minute before the hosts should have added a second goal. A lightning counter-attack allowed Pedro Porro to play in Tel, but his low left-footed shot was saved by Bart Verbruggen seven minutes before half-time. Changes were made by both head coaches at the break, with Kaoru Mitoma introduced for the Seagulls and it immediately paid off. Mitoma forced a corner and Brajan Gruda's delivery ricocheted to Hinshelwood, who steered past Vicario from close range in the 51st minute. It sparked a frantic period, with Brighton substitute Gomez denied by Vicario before at the other end Tel raced past Wieffer to set up Johnson, but he side-footed wide. The visitors continued to press and, after Vicario tipped over a fierce Yankuba Minteh strike, Carlos Baleba had a low effort deflected onto the post from another corner. Postecoglou sensed Spurs' dip in energy but, before a triple substitution could be made, Hinshelwood made it 2-1 after 64 minutes. Tottenham failed to deal with another Gruda corner and Hinshelwood pounced quickly to back-heel past Vicario. Ben Davies, Yves Bissouma and Richarlison were sent on with 25 minutes left, but the Seagulls made sure of the points when O'Riley fired past Vicario from the penalty spot after Bissouma brought down Gomez. Gomez concluded the scoring with a sumptuous 25-yard strike in stoppage time, but the Tottenham fans rallied around the squad with flags being waved to celebrate a first European title in 41 years.
Reuters
25-05-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Brighton spoil Spurs' party with 4-1 win
LONDON, May 25 (Reuters) - Brighton & Hove Albion left Tottenham Hotspur with a hangover after thrashing the Europa League winners 4-1 away on Sunday to finish eighth in the Premier League standings. Spurs were in celebratory mood following their European triumph against Manchester United in midweek and took the lead through a Dominic Solanke penalty after 17 minutes following a clumsy foul on Mathys Tel by Mats Wieffer. However, Brighton equalised six minutes after the break through Jack Hinshelwood, before he grabbed their second with a clever back-heel in the 64th. Matt O'Riley then scored from the spot after Diego Gomez was fouled by Yves Bissouma before Diego Gomez netted a stunner in added time for the visitors. Tottenham ended the campaign in 17th place, their lowest league finish in 21 years, with 38 points being the club's lowest ever Premier League tally. However, the home fans were more focused on celebrating their European success.
