Swansea manager Russell Martin has admitted defeat in his pursuit of MK Dons midfielder Matt O’Riley as Ange Postecoglou gets set to secure another permanent deal in the January window.
Martin, who knows the Scottish Premiership from his time spent with Glasgow rivals Rangers, is also someone with knowledge of O’Riley as a player, having signed the 21-year old when he was MK Dons boss.
So, the English Championship manager was left disappointed this afternoon when speaking to the media after he was asked about the attempt to bring O’Riley to the Liberty Stadium but was beaten to the signature by the Parkhead side.
The former Scotland internationalist also talked up the attributes of the Englishman, who he was gutted he wouldn’t get another chance to work with but also accepts it is a move to a massive club.
“I love Matt. I congratulated him; it’s a fantastic move to a huge football club,” he said, as quoted by Wales Online.
“I’m disappointed we don’t get the chance to work with him again, but I’m delighted for him. It’s another player MK have done brilliantly out of financially. He’s got a fantastic move all because of the style of play. He saw the big picture, and so did his agent at the time.
“I’ve been aware all of the way through; we have to raise money to make signings. It’s been clear since the summer. We’re not swimming in the same pond that we were, parachute payments have gone. Someone’s been able to raise the finance. He was a target for us, of course.
“He fits the profile and a player we’ve worked with. But there were other clubs looking at him as well. I don’t feel let down or angry; it’s where we are at. I’m comfortable with that. The business we’ve done I think, is fantastic.”
All the talk surrounding O’Riley has been nothing but positive when it comes to former managers he has worked under.
This just adds to the excitement of seeing the talented midfielder closing in on a move to Parkhead as Ange Postecoglou continues to build his squad.
Of course, we still await official confirmation from the club. But with comments like these from the Swansea boss and pictures of the youngster outside Parkhead, it looks like we are edging ever closer to a fifth addition of the window.
