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Glasgow Live
Sport
Ben Banks

Ange Postecoglou sends Celtic transfer message to Matt O'Riley with 'fall into the trap' warning

Ange Postecoglou says the most dangerous moments for players like Celtic star Matt O'Riley is when everything is plain-sailing.

The midfielder joined the Parkhead club in January and already has been linked with moves back to England following his £1.5 million transfer from MK Dons. It'll be a far cry from the third tier if the Celtic midfielder does return though as several of the Premier League's big guns are said to be taking an interest.

Postecoglou reckons it's speculation the Danish youth international can cope with but warns that it can creep in when everything appears to be going according to plan: “You could say Matt has had a meteoric rise, but this time last year he was playing with MK Dons in League One, so I think he understands the other side of football. He was literally training in the park with his dad and a personal trainer not all that long ago, so he’s seen that side of it.

READ MORE: Green Brigade could have Celtic Park security heightened after child burned during UCL tifo

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“When things are going well you understand that the only reason things are going well is because you are doing certain things, you’re staying in the present, you’re working hard.

"You're making sure you are the best footballer you can be. You can’t worry too much about speculation or what the next step is — the time when footballers maybe fall into the trap is when everything’s gone well for them and there are no setbacks.

“Even the best players in the world have setbacks, and Matty has had that. It’s been fantastic for his development as a person as well as a footballer to understand that, as well as things are going now, they’ll only keep going well if he keeps doing what he’s doing.”

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