Matt O’Riley has had a fine start to the new season after scoring two goals in the opening two game against Ross County and Aberdeen, respectively. His new manager Brendan Rodgers has given Matty the task of adding more goals to his game from midfield and it looks like he’s taken it on board, no questions asked.
Matt O Riley celebrates with team mates after scoring to give Celtic a 1-3 lead. Aberdeen v Celtic, Cinch Scottish Premiership, Football, Pittodrie 13 August 2023 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
He’s been the brightest spark within the team so far to date, a team, it must be said, that is still finding it’s feet and adjusting to a new style of playing the game after two years under Ange Postecoglou and his relentless attacking philosophy. Rodgers is more patient build-up but with an emphasis on pressing just the same as his predecessor.
It’s caused a few bumps so far it has to be said, but nothing that thus group of players can’t handle. A change is as good as a rest as they say, and that’s just what we’ve got this coming weekend as we’re back in League Cup action against Derek McInnes and his Kilmarnock side.
Matt O Riley celebrates scoring to give Celtic a 1-3 lead. Aberdeen v Celtic, Cinch Scottish Premiership, Football, Pittodrie 13 August 2023 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
It promises to be a challenging affair on that horrible playing surface at Rugby Park but Matt insists the Bhoys are ready and raring to go in the domestic cup scene. Speaking ahead of the weekend game, the midfielder said: “It’s a tough place to go.
“We know that from past experiences and also other teams finding it hard there, but at the same time I think we’ve got enough to win the game. We should always expect it to be a tough test and we need to be as prepared as we can be.
“I do think that if you score the first goal at a place like that, it helps a lot, but at the same time if they were to score first, I think we’ve got enough in our toolbox to still win the game. We’re a team that stays calm regardless of how a game’s going so we’ll be prepared.”
Having cleared the decks last year as a club domestically and won everything on offer, making it an historic eighth Treble for the Hoops, O’Riley added that the pressure is always there to deliver more and he thrives under it. “We know the demands and pressure of being at Celtic,” he said.
“Every game you have to win so we’re well aware of that. More importantly, it’s just about continuing that winning mentality and trying to win every single game because, naturally, that carries you to the next game from a momentum point of view.
“Like I said, we’re at Celtic so I don’t think you should expect anything less than to win and for me, I think we should have the same mindset when we’re in the Champions League as well. As much as Celtic are expected to win all the games, it’s a lot easier said than done because winning football matches isn’t an easy thing to do, regardless of who you’re playing against. Every game poses a different challenge, and when you get through the middle stage of the season and you’ve got three games a week, obviously it’s going to take more of a toll on the body.
“So you have to be very focused and relentless with your approach so I definitely think that gets overlooked by being a Celtic player probably because the demands are high to win. Not that I’m complaining but it’s definitely easier said than done but, at the same time, I think it’s nice to be in that kind of environment where you have to be relentless and you have to really go for it every week because you play football to win.”
Paul Gillespie
