Brendan Rodgers confesses Celtic can't replace Matt O'Riley and reveals where 'big money' won't be spent if he leaves

Brendan Rodgers admits Celtic CAN'T replace Matt O'Riley if he leaves with just one player and if they could, they wouldn't need to consider letting him leave.

Atalanta reportedly came in with a fourth bid for the Danish international, while Southampton and Brighton are also keen to try and land him. It's going to take a club record bid to break the Hoops' resistance, which Rodgers accepts won't all be spent on one player should a bumper cash injection flood into the Parkhead coffers. And if they could, then they wouldn't have to consider selling O'Riley anyway.

"I don't think we can replace like for like," he told BBC Scotland following a 2-0 win at Hibs. "He's had years growing into the player he is now and if he did leave, to get someone like that straight away is very, very difficult. That's why if he did go, it would be for big money and obviously, we'll not be spending that straight on one player. Otherwise we wouldn't lose him.

"But I'm not rally overthinking it. He's a really, really talented, gifted player who I love working with. He really enjoys his time here at Celtic and we'll just see day by day.

"But as long as he's here, the concentration is on improving him, improving his game and like you see in the the game today, his attitude is first class and he knows that I trust him 100 per cent.

"I'm not aware of any new bid, at least I wasn't last night up until this morning. He's training very well and playing very well and until I'm told something different, we just continue along that road."

Rodgers has been vocal in his desire to sign a new striker, but wouldn't take the Adam Idah bait when pushed ona move for last season's loan hero. The Norwich frontman was benched for the Canaries opening day defeat at