Matt O'Riley

Criticism of him on here atm is way way over the top. He was decent on Wednesday, no better or worse than Mooy and both play better when paired with Hatate. Our only option for rotating Reo atm should be to play Iwata and bring Cal forward because our other 3 AM options (Turnbull, Matt and Mooy) are too much of the same pace and style.

Seems like the lad is very open and honest in disclosing that he has had troubles off the pitch and had his confidence knocked. Which typical football fans with outdated views on "manhood" take as an admission of weakness and go in on him saying his head isn't in it.

When it actually it's the opposite. He has stuck in, continued to work hard and is now in a better place. His candidness is a strength not weakness. More players able to speak openly about mental health would be better for all. Football culture can be so toxic.

 

'I really miss playing in those big games': Celtic's Matt O'Riley laments being restricted to TV dates during the week
Those of a Celtic disposition are entitled to feel good about their lot as Ange Postecoglou’s men make faultless progress in the pursuit of a clean sweep of domestic honours.


Pangs remain, though, over one dimension of the club’s campaign for midfielder Matt O’Riley. The Champions League will throw up what would ordinarily simply be fascinating fair for an Englishman over the next two days. Manchester City’s last 16 tie with Leipzig on Tuesday evening is delicately poised after last week’s 1-1 draw in Germany. Meanwhile, Liverpool appear to have an impossible task to make the quarter-finals through requiring to overturn a 5-2 deficit when they travel to the Bernabeu to face Real Madrid on Wednesday evening.

Two encounters that don’t make for the easiest viewing for O’Riley as a result of Celtic falling short against Madrid and Leipzig in the group stages, with missed chances their undoing as they largely proved competitive. Their points haul was restricted to two draws against Shakhtar Dontesk that left them propping up their section. “I probably have had mixed emotions watching the Champions League,” said the 22-year-old. “I have watched some of the games and I have been thinking ‘it would be good to be involved in that’. But at the same time there is a lot to learn from these games because of the sides who are involved and the level they are playing at. I try to watch as many of the games as I can when they are on because there are a lot of things to learn and a lot of things to study.”




That study will involve how teams capitalise on periods of ascendency, as Celtic did not across the first half of their home encounter in Madrid, and when carving out regular openings in both encounters with Lepizig. “As much as we performed well in my opinion, we were very disappointed in how we finished results wise,” continued O’Riley. “We learned a lot in terms of the ruthless side of it. But it is definitely something I constantly think about.



I really miss playing in those big games against the best players. I felt like it brings the best football out of you, makes you improve as well. It is great winning games in Scotland, but it is not the same as playing against the very top players in Europe. But in saying that, if we can keep our level really high and try to dominate teams in Scotland then the hope is that will help our transition into the Champions League and competitions like that.”

 

No knee * to todays performance..

This summer is the time to cash in. He's miles off what he was to the point I don't think we'd miss him in the slightest moving forward..

Has a lot of talent but there's too much missing in his game now. Mooy has left him for dead..

 

I thought he was a breath of fresh air last season when he came in but I think that was probably due to the fact our midfield was the weakest part of the team and he was therefore an automatic upgrade without being particularly spectacular.

I'm happy enough with him in the squad but I'm leaning towards that Being his role going forward - a squad player who comes off the bench occasionally.

 

Yep, agree 100%. A new dynamic 8 is essential this summer, with O'Riley heading out the door.

 

He's behind Mooy and Hatate as one of the 8's now..

I can't see him being happy as a squad player.....which is why he'll deffo be away in the summer as I expect us to improve in that department as well..

 

Thought he was poor in 1st half but got his * together in the 2nd.

Mooy's position to lose the now though.

 

Even though he's still contributed a shedload of assists it just feels like there's something a bit off with him compared to last season, like he hasn't really kicked on as much as I thought he would. I'd say the same for Abada right now too, the numbers are still there, but both seem to be lacking some confidence and spark in their all round play right now.

 

I can't see us receiving the sort of fees that have been bandied about regarding him.

However I wouldn't be devastated to lose him. I definitely think it's an area that needs improved on in any case.

I'm not * on Mooy here but I'd like an upgrade on him too.

 

I think we can still get around £10-£12 million for him, easy to forget he would count as homegrown for a lot of teams down south, and still has a lot of upside.

I do like him, but he's clearly not first choice for us anymore, so I wouldn't be shocked if he wants to move on.

 

If Leicester stay up the Rat will sign him.

 

Definitely agree but as @HTG says I think we can still get minimum 10 this summer. It looked like possibly double last summer though..

Aye I also agree with Mooy, more so with Europe in mind. As much as he's been class.....I'd still like that more mobile, fresher player in with quality. Gonna have to pay for it though and we have the money..

 

His lack of improvement this year has been very disappointing. I wouldn't make any hasty decisions about his future, but if a decent bid comes in for him in the summer you'd start thinking about it.

 

It’s weird because he has a load of assists this season…but he’s been miles off it. So disappointing.

 

I think he probably wants away. That's just a hunch I've had for a wee while..

Always looks fed up now and half arsed..

That would explain his drop in form. He named EPL clubs last season that were interested in him and maybe wanted the move in the summer..

 

Getting migraine reading that *.

 

Not going to pour bile on him. But I'd like someone to tell Ange he's well suited to be in the back of midfield, not closer to goal. Big, slow, will fight, and can pass, but not run past players or penetrate space.

 

It's frustrating all round.

Both he and Hatate came onto the scene with a bang against the huns.

Hatate is now arguably the key part to our game, O'Riley on the other hand seems interchangeable as bench option with Turnbull.

I don't know how to explain it but the way things are looking we are better placed playing Iwata.

 

Considering you usually post utter drivel with atrocious English, I'll take that as a compliment.

 

I don't actually think O'Riley wants away or anything like that. Every time we score he looks one of the most buzzing in the team.

But there's definitely something not right with him. Don't even notice when he's playing these days.