NEWCASTLE reportedly sent scouts to watch Matt O'Riley in action for Denmark under-21s.

The Premier League side are thought to have had their recruitment team watch O'Riley feature in a 2-1 win over Croatia - before an eventual loss on penalties.

O'Riley was on the scoresheet as he netted the opener for his nation in the match.

And The Scottish Sun report Newcastle scouts attended the match to get a closer look at O'Riley.

The Magpies were linked with a move for O'Riley over the summer with Premier League rivals Leicester also cited with a transfer interest.

And O'Riley himself admitted he was aware of interest in taking him back down south - but he insisted Celtic is the perfect place for his development.

Speaking earlier this month, O'Riley said: "I know Leicester showed a lot of interest in me. And I think Newcastle was there too. But it wasn't a matter of any of them making a bid. If there's no bid, it's not very concrete in my head.

“I didn't really think about it because nobody from Celtic told me that, for example, Newcastle had made an offer.

"It wasn't like that, so there wasn't much to think about, and a lot is also written in the media.

"It's great to get some recognition, because it means that I'm doing well at Celtic.

"But as I say, Celtic is the perfect place for me right now."