BACK In 1967, when Celtic dominated Europe, Boca Juniors took a liking to one of Jock Stein’s key players.
The South American superpower was willing to spend a mountain of Argentine pesos on the Parkhead club’s talented and outstanding midfielder.
Boca’s talent scouts had been quite enthusiastic about the player during the ill-fated Intercontinental Cup matches against their compatriots Racing Club Buenos Aires, a gang of thugs disguised as a football team.
Celtic won the first game 1-0 at Hampden, lost 2-1 in the Argentinian capital and lost the third and decisive game 1-0 in Montevideo, Uruguay. It was a raucous encounter later dubbed the ‘Second Battle of the River Plate’ and anyone who witnessed this snarling, brutal and heated affair will be reluctant to disagree with this damning summary.
Amidst the brawling and grumbling, one Scottish artist stood out to the Boca crowd.
Bobby Murdoch was at the centre of this impressed squad and before Celtic had safely emerged from South America, the Buenos Aires-based team had made contact with the club’s management.
ICON IN ACTION…Bobby Murdoch plays for his beloved Celtic.
Essentially, the conversation went something like this: “Name your price for Bobby Murdoch.”
Sir Robert Kelly and Co. were spared the trouble of doing the math.
“No, I’m not interested. I’m not leaving Celtic,” the wanted man explained. And that was the end of the matter.
Wouldn’t it be great if history repeated itself today, dear reader?
Matt O’Riley took over from Murdoch all those years ago. He is the subject of envious glances from home and abroad and one can only hope that at Atalanta, an unnecessary and constant source of irritation of late, the euro has finally come down and they do not come back with another low bid.
Five inadequate offers later, it seems they have found their man in Lazar Samardzic from Udinese, arriving on a loan deal that could develop into a permanent transfer worth £21.3 million.
There are eleven days left in this transfer window and the clock is ticking.
To O’Riley’s credit, he didn’t raise a fuss in a situation where others would spit pacifiers into orbit and throw toys out of strollers with disturbing verve and enthusiasm.
Over a month ago, I was informed that the player was perfectly happy at Celtic and enjoying life in Scotland.
ON THE BALL… Matt O’Riley plays another pass in Celtic’s 2-0 win over Hibs at Easter Road.
Under these circumstances, is there even the slightest chance that the talented artist will put an end to the “will he or won’t he” circus and declare that he will stay with the master for at least another year?
O’Riley is 23 years old and will likely be competing with the best for more than a decade into his career, and that will continue to be the case.
There is a huge – and quite obvious – difference between Murdoch in 1967 and O’Riley in 2024.
My old mate was born in Rutherglen; the current player made his world debut in the London borough of Hounslow.
I can’t imagine there are many people with Celtic tendencies living in this corner of the UK.
However, would it be too much to ask Matt O’Riley to put us out of our misery and come out of hiding to tell everyone that he is dedicating the next year of his career to the champions?
We will get our answer soon enough.
ALEX GORDON
“HE WILL BE HERE – IT’S THAT SIMPLE,” RODGERS IN O’RILEY UPDATE
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