The Celtic Star attended yesterday’s Media Conference at Celtic Park ahead of the Champions League match against RB Leipzig this evening. As well as speaking to the Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou we got the chance to ask Matt O’Riley a question on whether Celtic would try to hold onto a one goal lead if we go infront or would we heed the manager’s words from last week and continue to attack looking for a second goal.
Here’s how Matt O’Riley got on speaking to the Broadcast Media and also the Celtic Fan Media, including of course The Celtic Star…
Matt O’Riley on the learning curve in the Champions League for the Celtic team: “Definitely a lot to learn, probably because the quality of opposition is higher than we are used to in the Scottish league. A lot to learn especially the ruthless side of it, if you give them a chance they are very quick to punish you, even for ourselves we have had good chances and we haven’t taken them and that has probably determined the result of the game. That’s probably the biggest thing to be honest.”
The Celtic midfielder on the manager’s criticism last week that the players started to take the safer option by going into survival mode after Jota equalised in Leipzig: “I think it’s a number of factors. First and foremost, we’re not the most experienced of teams at this level in terms of the players that we have. We’ve got young players who are new to this level and new to the experience so in those first couple of games, not necessarily the nerves but you don’t know what to expect so maybe there’s something in your mind telling you something that you are not used to. But you learn by playing games at this level.”
“There are a lot of different challenges, mentally, physically – it’s obviously more demanding on the body, our running stats have been significantly higher in these games than they are domestically. It shows the quality of the opposition and all these factors can affect things slightly.
“Personally I’ve learnt a lot. You do have to move the ball quicker, you need to make quicker decisions, you maybe need to be stronger when protecting the ball, these things add up over time and I’ve learnt a lot in the first three games.”
Matt on whether the team are better equipped as the group goes on and therefore the results being better in the next three games: “I hope so yes, I can’t promise a certain result going into a game but I thnk we know what we need to do to win the games now. It’s that ruthlessness in front of goal, really being clinical in those final moments is the biggest thing at this level.
“The good thing is that we are creating the chances. If we weren’t creating then that’s a whole different story and people would start panicking saying that they’re not suited to this level. But we’ve proved in the games that we’ve played that we can compete with these teams, we can go toe-to-toe with them and if we can be more ruthless in both boxes then that should help us.”
Matt O’Riley on playing in Callum McGregor’s role at the weekend and how he enjoyed it: “Yes, I enjoyed it. I’ve done it before in the past, maybe not in the same system, but I feel comfortable in what I need to do. It’s obviously different to what I’m used to at the moment, I’ve been playing slightly higher up so structurally it’s slightly differnt but because our structure is so clear and we all know what we are doing, dropping in isn’t so difficult. I obviously know where Callum needed to be when he’s playing there so that helps given my relationship with him when he is playing. I feel good about it.”
On the influence Callum McGregor has on the team and whether it’s big boots for Matt O’Riley to fill: “You can’t really replace Cal, not only for his football side, also because of what he brings as a character in the team. I’m not thinking about it on a personal note to be honest, I’m just going to do what I can do in that position but naturally Cal is a big loss, we know that. He’s probably the most important player in the team because of everything he brings. But in saying that I think we’ve got enough characters and enough good players to hopefully keep the performance level high.”
On helping his own development playing in different roles: “Yes, it’s just more learning. I’ve done it in the past so I do feel comfortable playing any sort of midfield role, whether it’s deeper or even slightly higher, I feel comfortable. All through my young Academy career I played all around so I feel comfortable slotting in there and hopefully I can do a good job.”
Asked if that was during his Fulham days: “Fulham days, MK Dons as well. Just slightly different systems. At MK Dons we played with two deeper ones then with two in front, like a box but in terms of the concept I am deeper down in the pitch so it is the same concept in that sense. And at Fulham we did play for a while with the same midfield shape (as Celtic) but slight details are different in terms of restictions on where you are supposed to be going in and around that. So those experiences from the past will definitiely help me get an understanding of what I need to do.”
On having a sense that a win over RB Leipzig this evening will competely change the complexion of the Group: “Yes it does. We’ll be on four points instead of one so that will be better. Of course we know the importance of this game because after that it’s going to be a little bit harder but our approach to the game is still the same. We approach every game in the same manner, the same preparation and as I touched on earlier if we can be a bit more ruthless in their box – and in ours probably – then that should be the difference. it probably is an important game in the bigger scheme of things but we’ll see what happens.”
On whether it is going to take the best performance of the season to get past a very good RB Leipzig team: “Probably, you would expect so. They are playing at a very high level right now and we saw last week when we played them that they are a very good side. However we did have some really good chances. They probably did deserve to win the game. We are at home now as well and that changes things with our fans behind us can really make a differnence. So, yes we are feeling good.”
Matt O’Riley on how the game against St Johnstone prepares Celtic for a game like this when you have to go up a level an what kind of different mood there is after that 95th minute winner rather than only getting a draw: “That winning feeling going into a game is definitely important. To be honest we weren’t buzzing when we came into the changing room. We were probably a bit frustrated that we didn’t put the game to bed earlier because we had so many chances. That was the message betwen a lot of us. Even speaking to a few Bhoys today, we’re going to have to be a bit more clinical if we are going to have a good chance of winning this game. That has been the main message, we know what we need to do to win this game. It’s just about carrying that out on the pitch.”
Matt on Greg Taylor’s point that Celtic have to start winning games to prove that we belong in the Champions League: “I think that he is right. It is a results business at the end of the day. we have proven that we are capable of playing at this level in terms of performance but now it is just about getting the result. I think we’ve got all the attributes to do that to be honest. It’s just about actually doing it now like Greg has probably said. Performances are there, everyone is still feeling positive and feeling good and that is the main thing. If we were in the training ground doubting ourselves and thinking we need to change something then it’s probably a different story but it’s still the same and we are confident that we can do it.”
On the change he mentioned playing at home where the fans can make a difference and exactly what difference that makes to Matt O’Riley as a player: “It’s massive, genuinely. It feels like you can probably run an extra couple of kilometres in a game just from the noise itself. Everytime we won a throw-in against Real Madrid, the whole place erupted. So just little things like that gives you that extra boost, that electric atmosphere in the stadium makes you want it a bit more. That’s what it feels like and we’ll do eveything we can for them to win the game.”
On Matt hitting the ground running when he joined Celtic where it being more difficult for Alexandro Bernabei, who looked good on Saturday: “His situation is quite different to mine. He’s come a long way, he’s come from Argentina. He doesn’t speak the language so these things are massive factors in terms of really understanding the structure of our team and the details that make a difference.
“Even culturally it’s a big change for him so naturally I think it’s understandable that it’s taken slightly more time for him to adapt. And saying that Greg (Taylor) has played at a vey high level all season so I don’t think that it’s anything Berna has done wrong. He’s done well every time he’s played but sometimes you need to be a little bit patient when you are a new player and he’s been just that. I’m really happy for him as he played really well at the weekend.”
On the strength of talent that RB Leipzig have up top and how Celtic can cope with that threat: “Sometimes it’s hard to. It’s about being as focused as you can be, not switching off at all. Anytime you switch off for a second they are there to punish you. If we have laser-sharp focus throughout the ninety minutes, that’s our best chance of stopping them.
On The Celtic Star’s question about a draw not really suiting either side and if Celtic take the lead Leipzig will have to go for it. Bearing in mind what happened last week and what the manager said, is it important that we don’t try to hold on to what we’ve got and try to go for a second goal?
“Yes I think so, the way we are set up we are not a team that is designed to protect a lead. We are a team that’s designed to add to it, score more goals, keep attacking.that’s kind of the way we are designed to play. We’re not the biggest of teams, we’re not designed to sit back and defend our box too much. We’ll do it when we have to of course, or try to. We’re a team that wants to be on the front foot, that wants to be aggressive, wants to press and that’s the game-plan for sure.”
On Cameron Carter-Vickers taking the armband and what he brings to the captaincy that is different from Callum McGregor: “Cam is a great presence in terms of his stature on the pitch and the calmness he brings to the team when he plays. Cal is probably more vocal, he’s probably the most vocal guy in our team to be fair. Cam is probably someone who speaks more when he needs to in that sense but he’s got that respect from all the players because of his consistency and the responsibility that he takes on the pitch. So they are very different in terms of the characters that they are but each important to the team.”
