Matt O'Riley

The way we play when games are more open it requires our centre mids to cover a lot of ground.

I thought Matt has been good both the games against them recently. He is good at nicking the ball back and forcing counter attacks. He does lack pace but if he had that I doubt he would be here.

We also have to remember for the bulk of those last two games McGregor and O’Riley have been playing with a player who’s been out for a while in Mooy and Hatate respectively making the workload even harder.

He can be pleased with his performance today.

 

Thought he was good today. Clever for the goal and faded when they were on top as others have mentioned but can be pleased with his afternoon.

 

I thought he done ok, wasn’t helped by the fact Hatate started. Hatate was mikes off it as was expected.

 

Thought he played well and won the ball back often.

 

Outstanding first half, breaking up the play, nicking the ball, moving it on swiftly but went missing when they got on top early second half. Thought Ange should have hooked him earlier, brought on Iwata. It was like he emptied the tank first half and just ran out of gas.

 

He's ok, but I get the feeling he is hankering for a move. I reckon we will get a serious upgrade for him in the summer.

 

Pretty sure a couple weeks ago it came out he’s perfectly happy to stay another year at least at the moment.

If he kicked on further this season, upped the consistency in what’s actually been a sneakily good season that’s flew under the radar. If he bossed it and guaranteed himself a guy who can’t even be thought of starting on the bench like Calmac and Reo, he’d be off then.

He’s sensible though, showed that at every move he’s made in his career so far. His agent seems to be one that actually looks out for what his client wants… he’ll be here next year.

 

O'Reily's work rate on the day was great. He made the game really difficult for the huns down our right flank. One of the stand outs until he was hooked today.

 

Yeah the bold part is what I was getting at, completely agree.

 

Agreed. I've been a big critic of him lately as well..

Won a lot of duels down that side first half. Few crunchers and second balls also..

 

He was excellent yesterday especially in the first half. Starting position should be his to lose now.

 

Good first half but faded badly in the second half, we really need 90 minute men in the cockpit of the team.
I think he is putting himself in the shop window, and is actually trying a leg again.

Harsh maybe, but that is what I think.

 

“I think I’ve played pretty well in the last four or five games,” he said. “People will always have something to say and I’m not going to say that I didn’t have a slight rough patch around the new year, for various reasons.

“But I think I’m in a really good place now. I was at a good level last week but I think I can still play better.

“There is stuff off the pitch that might not always be obvious to the naked eye, and probably gets overlooked because you’re seen as a footballer instead of as a person.

I’m in a good place mentally [now] and usually when that’s the case, the rest takes care of itself."


https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/23501801.celtic-star-matt-oriley-seen-footballer-not-person/

 

Love the fact our players reflect on all aspects of their performance and place in the team/squad. O'Riley and Ralston typifying that this week.

 

Clever lad, and right back bang in form. Hope he stays til next season but I'm not holding my breath.

 

I think (hope) he is too smart to jump to a bottom tier EPL team for a pay cheque or to move to a team where he will be sat on a bench week in week out. As he says he has already proven (more than once) that he isn't motivated by money. Can see him wanting to bide his time for the right team to come along knowing that he is training under the very best with Ange and playing UCL foootball. That said if we do keep him in the sunmer can't see him staying beyond next season.

 

Stats-wise he shows up very well though, add in his age and profile and I think ambitious good clubs will be looking at him. I wouldn't be surprised if he goes to a Brentford etc. But happy to be proven wrong.