Newcastle United and Arsenal in scouting trip to watch star with World Cup aspirations

Newcastle United and Arsenal have reportedly followed up their initial interest in Celtic star Matt O’Riley by making a personal check on the midfielder.

The 21-year-old has been in fine form and is hoping to force his way into the Denmark squad for next month’s World Cup Finals in Qatar after switching his international allegiances earlier this year when he received a call-up to the Danish Under-21 side for a meeting with their Belgium counterparts.

O’Riley impressed manager Jesper Sorensen, who revealed the Celtic midfielder has been the subject of discussions with senior manager Kasper Hjulmand.

“Yes. Kasper and I always discuss the players we have in the under-21s, and Matt is one of the highest profile players in our squad,” he told Football Scotland

“I think he has been doing very well. He has given us more than I ever expected.  I know he is very ambitious, but coming into a new scenario with a whole new team, I think he has given us more than I thought he would and that has been very good. I have spoken to Kasper about Matt and he is also following him. Matt has been progressing with the team all along since the first time he came.”

O’Riley’s form with Celtic and at international level has captured the attention of several clubs with Newcastle and Arsenal said to have watched him in action for the Danish Under-21s in a European Championship play-off clash with Croatia last month.

The Premier League duo are believed to have followed up that visit with another scouting trip asa they took in Celtic’s 2-0 Champions League defeat against German side RB Leipzig last week.  Reports have suggested United’s head of recruitment Steve Nickson was on hand to witness O’Riley play the entire 90 minutes as the Magpies continue their planning for the January transfer window and beyond.