Matt O’Riley spoke to the media yesterday afternoon as the build-up to this Sunday’s League Cup quarter final tie at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock gets underway…
Matt O Riley of Celtic celebrates with team mates after scoring to give Celtic a 1-3 lead. Aberdeen v Celtic, Cinch Scottish Premiership, Football, Pittodrie 13 Aug 2023 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
The Celtic midfielder talked about Celtic’s upcoming challenges and how the change in leadership at Parkhead has affected him. Celtic are set to travel away from home to take on Kilmarnock in the second round of the League Cup on the weekend. When asked about Celtic’s tough draw, Matt O’Riley said…
“It’s definitely a tough draw,” said O’Riley. “Respectfully, if the game is at home it’s probably easier than playing away because it is a tough place to go and we know that from past experiences. Other teams have also found it hard there. We have enough to win the game but it’s going to be one we have to be more than ready for.
Matt O’Riley of Celtic controls the ball during the Celtic vs St Mirren Cinch Premiership match at Celtic Park on May 20, 2023 (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
“We always expect a tough test at Rugby Park and we need to be as prepared as we can be. Last season when we won 5-0 there we took our chances really well and that will be really important again. If you score the first goal at a place like that, it helps a lot but at the same time if they score first then I think we have enough in our toolbox to still win the game,” O’Riley said.
When asked whether he had set any personal targets before the season, Matt explained that he hadn’t set any in terms of numbers as they could negatively impact his mentality in the future.
“I haven’t set myself any targets in terms of numbers. Last season I kind of did but at the same time, I’m quite young so some of it is trial and error. I feel better when I’m coming from a place where I can express myself from quite a free standpoint rather than setting a target and having to go for that because if you’re not getting close to it, you might get a bit of stress over it and lose a bit of calmness and composure,” the Celtic star midfielder stated.
“I haven’t set myself any targets but do think I can get myself more goals? I’d like to think so. Last season I should have got more goals, I need to be calmer when I’m in those areas.”
Kyogo Furuhashi of Celtic celebrates with team mate Matt O Riley after scoring to give Celtic a 1-2 lead. Aberdeen v Celtic, Pittodrie Stadium, 13 Aug 2023 Photo Stuart Wallace/Shutterstock
There has been some change at Celtic over the summer, the biggest change would be at the top with the reintroduction of Brendan Rodgers as manager. Rodgers decided to make his return to Celtic following the exit of Ange Postecoglou for Tottenham Hotspur. When asked about the changing of leadership at Celtic Park, Matt gave an interesting answer.
“I don’t think anything has changed massively, to be honest. Maybe I feel better from a mental perspective, which always helps. I’m feeling really good in general. We’ve got a slightly new style and my role has changed slightly, but nothing too crazy, I’ve just got myself into the right positions and stayed calm and that’s what it has come down to.
“The manager’s style of management has been good. If there is something that I need to work on or that needs to be addressed then he will pick me up on it and we’ll go through it, especially on the training pitch.
“The other day he pulled me in and went through some little details that can help me. I think he’s good with most players in dealing with them from a personal perspective. Naturally, that is going to help on the pitch because you will feel slightly better. I think I have been fortunate to have had pretty good managers thus far and feel like I am developing every season.”
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