Gordon Strachan didn’t mince words when he praised Matt O’Riley’s professionalism in the face of ongoing transfer speculation.

While giving the Celtic midfielder his due credit for simply getting on with his job, Strachan couldn’t resist a subtle jab at the kind of players who disrupt a team when angling for a move. His comments, though general, seemed pointed.

Strachan expressed concern over players who, when unhappy with their situation or eager for a transfer, suddenly develop mysterious injuries or start skipping training. He warned “I get worried when I hear about players who are pushing to move and don’t turn up to training or get a mysterious injury. Those guys affect the players around them and bring negativity into your club. As a manager, if you sign someone that does that, they’ll do that to you the next time they want to move on.” He told topoffshorecasinos.com

Adam Idah’s recent actions at Norwich might be the very sort of behaviour Strachan was referencing. The young striker was disciplined for failing to board the team flight for a pre-season friendly, forcing him to arrange his own travel to Germany and leading to internal consequences. Given Celtic’s reported £6 million bid for Idah, which includes £2 million in add-ons, Strachan’s remarks could be a warning that the club should tread carefully with this potential signing.

For a manager or a club, the last thing needed is a player whose attitude might unsettle a dressing room that’s otherwise focused on winning. Strachan’s comments serve as a reminder that while talent is crucial, so too is the mindset of those brought into the fold. Fans won’t really care if it’s a player who is pushing for a move to Celtic.