HOOPS WILL KNOCK BACK MATT OFFER

CELTIC are adamant that in-demand Matt O’riley is going nowhere during the January transfer window as Atletico Madrid prepare to make their move.

It is understood Hoops chiefs are ready to knock back a mega-money bid from the Spanish big guns over an initial loan move and guaranteed permanent switch in the summer.

La Liga rivals Girona are also in the hunt while several sides in England are closely monitoring the 23-year-old.

Celtic are under no financial pressure to sell and are determined to have O’riley (above) on board for the title run-in.

The Denmark cap is also understood to be happy at the club and in no rush to make the jump away from Parkhead.

Celtic are aware the time will come to cash in on the top asset – and are likely to hold out for a record transfer fee of £25million plus.

But there is no desire to let the playmaker go during this window with boss Brendan Rodgers determined to keep hold of his top men until at least the end of the campaign.

Former Celtic striker Chris Sutton insisted selling O’riley now would be unthinkable.

He said: “Celtic can’t even consider selling now. O’riley may end up going in the summer as we know the Celtic model but there’s a title to be won and that’s the priority right now.”

Meanwhile, Celtic defender Stephen Welsh was also thrilled to see academy ace Rocco Vata on the scoresheet at the weekend in the 5-0 Scottish Cup win over Buckie Thistle.

The Hoops are thin on the ground for frontmen at the moment with Oh Hyeon-gyu at the Asian Games with South Korea – along with Japan stars Maeda and Reo Hatate.

But Republic of Ireland underage cap Vata is banging on the door and the 18-year-old (inset) has been tipped to lighten the load on main man Kyogo Furuhashi.

Welsh said: “I was delighted for wee Rocco coming in and getting his first goal. It’s good seeing him doing the business when we only have Kyogo up front right now.

“He’ll need a bit of help in the next few weeks ahead.”