Denmark´s national coach Kasper Hjulmand, today explained his decision to leave Matthew O´Riley out of Denmark´s squad for their upcoming matches…
Kasper Hjulmand has decided against calling up Celtic star Matt O’Riley to his Denmark squad for the upcoming international matches this month. Hjulmand was speaking to Danish magazine Tipsbladet where talked very positively about the Celtic midfielder who will have to bide his time before breaking into the Danish squad.
It would be a huge gamble to select him for the squad
Matt O’Riley of Celtic poses for a photo with the PlayStation Player Of The Match award after the draw in the UEFA Champions League match between Celtic FC and Atletico Madrid at Celtic Park Stadium on October 25, 2023 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Jan Kruger – UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
“We were super happy to have him with us, and I think he has played good matches since then. Especially the match against Atlético (Madrid) at home was good. He is a different type of midfielder than what we have,” Hjulmand said.
“He plays higher up in the pocket. He plays very, very close to the attackers. So he is a different type, and I think he has done well. I am completely sure that he is a player we will see a lot more of.”
“The question is whether this is it, I mean the next two matches, where there may not be time to just do something completely new. It would be a big gamble. The first match (against Slovenia) will at least be something familiar, something we really know.”
Matt O’Riley of Celtic celebrates scoring his team’s opening goal during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Hearts and Celtic FC at Tynecastle on October 22, 2023 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
He is an interesting player
“But Matt is an exciting player, and I think he has made great progress,” the Denmark boss said “It’s not like I’m trying to avoid him… quite the opposite. I’ve been following Matt all along. But honestly, if you look at the five midfielders I’ve selected, you’ll have to tell me which one of them shouldn’t be included if he is to be included?”
“But of course, Matt is a fantastic player. I really think he has moved forward. He is growing as the weeks go by.”