Matt O’Riley has certainly made a big impression on the Celtic support since his January transfer window move from MK Dons.
Coming in for a relatively modest fee (£1.5m), and at 21 years of age, you could have been forgiven for thinking that O’Riley would slot into the project role of previous signings from the English league clubs, however it hasn’t taken long to realise Matt O’Riley is first team ready, with a series of impressive performances culminating in his first goal for the club in Celtic’s nerve shredding win at Pittodrie on Wednesday night.
As reported by Daily Record, O’Riley is patient enough to realise he’s part of a squad who will be rotated heavily, such are the incessant physical demands of the manager’s style of play, but it is clear the player backs himself and that he’s delighted by his goalscoring duck being broken against Aberdeen.
“You have to aim big and I’m not going to settle for a certain level, I want to reach the very top. That’s what I want to do and a club like Celtic has a potential to do that so I am really happy to be here and happy to be playing.”
“I was delighted with the goal. I’m not going to lie, I said before the game I could do with scoring because I’m five games in. I missed one chance against Dundee United which was a really good opportunity and it was playing at the back of mind a little bit.
“So I said before the game that I could do with scoring just for my own head and fortunately it happened. It was amazing, it was also in front of the fans which always makes it better. I’m not too fussed about goals as long as we are winning, that’s the main thing. Of course it is nice to get contributions yourself but the team getting three points is the main thing, honestly.”
And with performances that belies his age it’s easy to overlook the fact o’Riley is a young player and relatively inexperienced, and O’Riley is not afraid to admit to having suffered a few nerves, particularly on his debut at Tynecastle, however with each contribution made. O’Riley is growing in confidence and he points to the support from the stands in helping him overcome his nerves.
“Everyone gets nervous, some people show it more than others. The first game against Hearts I was a bit more nervous just because it was my first for a new club but once the game starts I feel fine.
“I feel more than ready to contribute and obviously the more games you play the more confident you feel – and I feel really good at the moment. I am very grateful for that support. It is not necessarily easy to settle in quickly at a club like Celtic. So I am really happy with the way it is going and obviously the support from fans is always nice so I am very grateful.”
And as much as the support from the stands has helped the player settle quickly, the standard of player O’Riley is playing alongside every week also helps, with everyone willing to show for the ball and take it in demanding situations means he’s been able to exhibit a calmness even against a higher standard of opponent than he’s previously been used to playing against.
“I feel good. I find it easier to play with better players in that sense. I know when they want the ball and when they are going to give me the ball so in that sense I found it easier to adapt.
“Some of the opposition are obviously tougher than in League One at times, like Rangers for example. But when you have good players around you it makes it easy and off the pitch as well, everyone is just genuinely really nice people which has made it really easy for me.”
Celtic’s Japanese signings perhaps allowed Matt O’Riley to arrive with a little less focus and attention. However, there is little doubt Celtic’s last signing of the January transfer window is making a big impression already, and any consideration the ex-MK Dons may be judged as a squad player initially at least have already been dispelled, as O’Riley looks every inch a Celtic first team player and one who could have a huge impact as Celtic reach the business end of a title push this season.
Niall J
