O'Riley deal 'tremendous business', now 'purse-strings must open' for replacementpublished at 16:08
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We asked for your views on Matt O'Riley's Celtic exit and how he might be replaced.
Here's what some of you said:
George: It's a good bit of business from Celtic but to replace him is going to be hard and that means the purse-strings must open and get a player in ready to take over from him, even a club record buy.
Alec: Sad to see him go but wish him all the best. The guy was a complete professional and will only get better, hopefully there is a percentage of any future transfer fee to come.
Paul: Sorry to see O'Riley sold but he deserves a bigger stage for his talents. Hope he becomes a regular starter for Brighton and not a bit-part player. Without doubt it's tremendous business for Celtic, but would have liked the fee to be a few more million up front. Hope there is a sell-on clause, alongside the add ons.
Gordon: A great deal for both the player and club, one of the best deals in Celtic's history.
Billy: We've got a great fee for O'Riley, which we knew was coming. With all the money in the bank why have Celtic left it to the last week of the transfer market to do business to bring in cover. Other clubs know we need recruitment and will put their fees up now for whoever we go for. Very bad management, business should have been done a lot earlier.
Neil: A sad inevitability but obviously a great piece of business for a club who can't afford to resist offers and deals like this. Our worry is having let him go, who comes in? I am still astonished we are not tracking a centre-back. I would have spent the money we paid for Adam Idah on a good quality centre-half as we will be brutally exposed in Europe.
Ged: His leaving was an inevitability. Signing him served up a stroke of genius! Thanks for the service, you will forever be part of the Celtic story Matt. Good luck in your future career.
Gordon: I'm sorry to see Matt go, I don't think Brighton are the right club for the next part of his development, but I wish him well.
Gordy: Matt was a wonderful signing, £1.5m and selling for over £25m is a great piece of business. However, I am sad to see him go as he was a great footballer and professional, he always gave 100% and gave Celtic supporters some great memories, especially against Rangers.
Eric: My overriding emotion is frustration. Talent is bleeding from the club, but there's nothing being done to stem the flow. How can a club of the stature of Celtic have such a badly organised transfer policy with just five days to deadline and everything is just speculation.