After what has been a full summer of speculation, the prolonged saga of Matt O’Riley’s transfer departure from Celtic is finally coming to a close.

Despite Atalanta’s best efforts over the past month or so, Brighton now looks to be the destination where Brendan Rodgers’ best on-field asset will be plying his trade this campaign and beyond. Reports have suggested that the English Premier League Club are prepared to shatter Celtic’s £25 million record transfer fee to secure their target’s services, which was met back in 2019 by Arsenal for Kieran Tierney.

There is no getting away from it, losing O’Riley at this stage of the transfer window – and the season in general – is a massive blow for the club concerning matters on the pitch. 37 combined goals and assists for the Denmark international underlined a breakout season for the 23-year-old, who was a shock omission from his country’s Euro squad this summer by Kasper Hjulmand in Germany.

However, it is not all doom and gloom when looking at this now-expected transfer from all angles. A player signed for £1.5 million just over two and a half years ago from MK Dons is now set to net the club an enormous profit on the small outlay they spent on him in January 2022. Playing his part in securing six trophies in the three seasons he was involved with the club, he also contributed 27 goals and 35 assists in his 124 appearances for Celtic, including big moments in the Champions League – particularly last season – and against Rangers in numerous Glasgow Derbies.

Brighton will be getting a high-level operator to bolster their midfield options, but Celtic may profit off of their best player’s exit – as strange as that sounds. With at least £25 million coming their way through the sale of O’Riley, it will allow the club – if they do so – to strengthen in key areas, as well as sufficiently replace the outgoing midfielder with a new individual in his place.

Anybody who keeps up to date with all things Celtic will know that the club have areas on the park that are needing addressed, and quickly. Admittedly, some of these key positions have been needing some attention for an extended period of time, such as left-back. With Greg Taylor comfortably the first-choice option presently, the squad is currently light on the left-hand side of defence. What is even more concerning is the fact that the Scotland international’s contract is up at the end of the season, with both parties no closer to a renewal as things stand.

Despite enjoying a stellar start to his campaign, Taylor’s long-term uncertainty contractually should prompt the club to shop for an alternative option in this window, just to keep themselves covered in this area. This player can come into the club and immediately push for this position, ahead of potentially being unopposed the following season if Taylor decides to move elsewhere. The likes of Liverpool’s Owen Beck, Crystal Palace’s Jeffrey Schlupp and Owen Wijndal of Ajax have been touted as potential incomings concerning this position, with Beck’s name reoccurring as a transfer target more than once.

Speaking of the left of defence, Celtic’s next position that they should tackle with the incoming O’Riley money should be in the left-centre-back area, where Liam Scales currently occupies. No one can deny the job that the Republic of Ireland international has done – particularly during last campaign’s centre-back injury crisis – but his limitations both in defending and distribution are starting to show more regularly. Like with left-back, several names have been linked with this area as potential options, such as Burnley’s Dara O’Shea – Scales’ international teammate – and Flavius Daniliuc of Salernitana, amongst others. Auston Trusty of Sheffield United has been the latest name linked with the post of centre-back.

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The main issue with this position is that there are too many bodies currently at the club who have failed to hold down this position. Gustaf Lagerbielke looks to be off to SC Heerenveen on loan, whilst the collective futures of Yuki Kobayashi and Maik Nawrocki appear to be elsewhere - the former on his way to Portugal and Portimonense. Stephen Welsh is a good back-up option, but he may want to move on for the sake of his own career concerning game-time. In essence, players may have to move out the door before Celtic can welcome any more centre-backs into the squad.

Further up the pitch, O’Riley’s exit could prompt a change in squad dynamic concerning the midfield, as Rodgers has insisted that two midfielders will have to come in to supplement the loss of their star player if it were to transpire. This could come in the shape of a defensive midfielder, a position dominated by the presence of Callum McGregor. With solid links to the likes of Shea Charles and Arne Engels of Southampton and FC Augsburg respectively, this seems to be an area that Celtic are actively targeting for reinforcements.

What this means for the future of regular ‘number six’ Tomoki Iwata is uncertain, though you would imagine the Japan midfielder could decide to take his talents elsewhere in the remaining days of the window if transfer movement is initiated in this area.

Lastly, the club have to tackle what is sure to be a gaping hole in the attacking midfield slot in Celtic’s starting line-up. The aforementioned 37 goal contributions from O’Riley have got to be made up somewhere, with his direct replacement not yet known officially. Los Angeles FC’s Mateusz Bogusz has been linked in recent days, with the versatile attacking midfielder/forward scoring at an excellent rate over in the MLS currently. The Poland U21 international could be the player to step into the role that O’Riley looks set to vacate very soon.

Overall, the O’Riley transfer situation is not ideal, especially when you consider timing and his overall worth to Celtic - especially on the pitch. However, the club can turn this negative on-field loss into a positive opportunity by strengthening the team using the funds that they will gain from his off-field departure.

Time will ultimately tell if they will manage to do this successfully or not.