Matt O’Riley admits to a sense of calm permeating from the Celtic dressing room after Monday night’s 3-0 win over Dundee United at Tannadice set up a Glasgow Derby Scottish Cup Semi-Final at Hampden, with O’Riley maintaining in his post match interview with Celtic TV that the manager’s mantra of one game at a time starting with Ross County on Saturday.
“It feels good to be in the semi-final. The vibe in the changing room is good, everyone is happy. We were pretty calm when we saw the draw. We have Ross County on Saturday to focus on, so we’re not thinking too much about it.”
Despite the laser like focus from O’Riley and his teammates Celtic’s January signing from MK Dons did take the time to admit the Derby games are something that has already blown him away after Celtic’s 3-0 ‘skelping of theRangers at Celtic Park last month and admits to visiting highlight reels of previous Derby clashes at Hampden.
“Games against (the)Rangers are the ones I look forward to most. They are the games you are under the most pressure, you have to demand the most from yourself and the team. I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve watched the cup final highlights from last time and I’ve seen how crazy the stadium looked.”
And having experienced Celtic Park with no away fans present, O’Riley also admits to being keen to experience an atmosphere where both sides get a 50/50 split of tickets, although admits to the atmosphere at Celtic Park last time out as a ‘spine tingling’ experience, as reported in Scottish Sun.
“I’m actually really looking forward to that. It will probably create an even better atmosphere — with a bit of hostility towards both teams. I enjoy it, that’s what I buzz off. We’ll be ready for it when the games come around.
“These are the games we are all buzzing to play in. It’s really enjoyable. For myself, I just love playing in that atmosphere where it’s bouncing. It makes you want to play better. It was spine-tingling last time.
“I spoke to a few people and they said it was probably one of the craziest Celtic v Rangers( or theRangers) atmospheres there’s been, which was pretty cool. I was grateful to be part of it. I don’t think you understand how crazy it is unless you are in the stadium.
“It looks amazing on TV but it’s not until you are in there you appreciate it. My mum and dad were in the stadium and they were thinking, ‘Wow, this is crazy’. It has to inspire you to want more. That’s why we play football. The fans make it what it is.
“We all played numerous games during that lockdown period and it just wasn’t the same. You are obviously up for every game but when you have the fans behind you, it gives you that extra ten per cent.”
The likelihood is Matt O’Riley will experience three Glasgow Derbies in April – spread across Ibrox, Hampden and Celtic Park – and all three will have a huge bearing on Celtic’s chances of lifting the Treble. For O’Riley however, as much as he believes the Celtic squad have the mentality to achieve a domestic clean sweep, it’s Ross County on Saturday that is the main focus, with thoughts of Glasgow derbies and treble put on the backburner for now –
“We’ll take every game as it comes. But everyone is aware of it at the back of our minds — and that has to be the main goal. However, if you look at it from that point of view you can get distracted from the task ahead — which is Ross County. You are better off if you stay in the moment and focus on game by game.”
Niall J
