According to reports, Celtic are "interested" in Nantes defender Quentin Merlin.

The French under-21 international, who played 31 times for the Ligue 1 club last season, is said to be a player that the Hoops are "looking at".

Merlin can player as a winger as well as a left-back and his arrival would see him challenge Greg Taylor and Alexandro Bernabei.

The 21-year-old is contracted at his current club until 2026 and it is reported that the Scottish champions would have to spend between £6.8million and £10.3 million to gain his signature.

He scored once and provided two assists in the 2022/23 campaign as Nantes lifted the French Cup.

Celtic are set to face competition for the player but the allure of Champions League football could help them.

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Meanwhile, Brendan Rodgers has praised midfielder Matt O'Riley, calling him an "intelligent footballer".

The Dane scored the third goal during Celtic's recent victory at Pittodrie and the Parkhead boss had nothing but good things to say about the 22-year-old.

"I like him a lot. I think he is a really intelligent footballer. Firstly, as a professional. He is a top professional.

"He prepares his body well and he prepares his life well. He wants to do well. He sets his standards high every day to be better.

"When I looked at his numbers and everything else, I think I said to him 'you need to score more goals', as he didn't do it enough.

"He was a bit like Jamesy Forrest when I first came into the club. He didn't score enough for the talent they had and I was looking at Matt from last season and his first goal was in February.

"You can't have that talent and be waiting that long. It is all about arriving in the areas and finding the composure to finish.

"I really like him, his build-up play is good, he takes the ball and he needs to work on his pressing and intensity, but he is a wonderful footballer and he is a good guy as well.

"He was obviously at MK Dons and I know he was linked with moves down south as most Celtic or Rangers players are.

"I have watched every Celtic game that has been on telly and I have seen his ability. He is a wonderful footballer and he is ambitious and wants to be better and improve."

Join Aidan Macdonald and Tony Haggerty as they discuss all this and more in the video below.