Matt O'Riley transfer grilling squashed by bullish Brendan Rodgers as unwavering Celtic exit stance revealed

Brutally honest Brendan Rodgers admits he still doesn't know if Matt O’Riley will be a Celtic player at the end of the window amid an on-air grilling over the midfielder's future.

Atalanta have launched a series of bids in an attempt to tempt the Scottish Premiership champions into selling their star man - but reports in Italy have claimed the Serie A side have admitted defeat in their pursuit of the 23-year-old after snapping up Udinese's Serbia international Lazar Samardzic. The Europa League winners saw five offers turfed out of Celtic Park – with the final in the region of £23million failing to move the hardline Celtic stance.

But with the likes of Brighton, Bournemouth, Atletico Madrid and Inter also said to have shown an interest in the Danish international, it looks unlikely that the Italians will be the last to test the Hoops resolve this summer. But following the full-time whistle in the Premier Sports Cup win over Hibs, boss Rodgers refused to be nailed down on O'Riley's long-term Parkhead future.

Asked if he expects O'Riley to be a Celtic player by the end of the transfer window, Rodgers told the Premier Sports panel: "I don't know is the honest answer. You see with him that he is an incredibly talented player.

"There is a value we have for him, and if that's not met he will be here - it's as simple as that. He is really happy here, but it has to be something that draws him away.

"I am not overthinking it. We all know the model here at Celtic - players will improve and they will get to a level that get beyond, not the club, but in terms of the financial salary. But until that comes we continue to work with him."