The snub of Celtic’s star performer, Matt O’Riley, from the Denmark national squad for the upcoming international break, has left many in the Hoops community bewildered.
This omission comes as a surprise especially after recent revelations by Celtic manager, Brendan Rodgers, concerning dialogue he had with Denmark’s head coach, Kasper Hjulmand, regarding O’Riley’s form.
Matt O’Riley’s start to the season has been nothing short of remarkable. The young maestro has found the back of the net five times and has also turned provider on two occasions in the Scottish Premiership, displaying a level of maturity and finesse that belies his age. His performances have not only endeared him to the Celtic faithful but have also ignited discussions about his readiness for the grander stage of international football.
The narrative of O’Riley’s early season form is one that is synonymous with a player ready to transition from youth international football to the senior level. Having featured for Denmark’s Under-21 side, the consensus among many is that the time is ripe for O’Riley to be accorded a full cap. His technical ability, coupled with a commendable work ethic, makes him a prime candidate for elevation to Denmark’s senior team.
TRUPUDTAGELSE 🇩🇰
Kasper Hjulmand har netop offentliggjort de 23 spillere, der er med i truppen, når vi møder Kasakhstan og San Marino i de kommende EM-kvalifikationskampe 💪
Kom så, Danmark 🙌
📸 @fbbillederdk #herrelandsholdet #ForDanmark pic.twitter.com/Y8LMr917KS
— Fodboldlandsholdene 🇩🇰 (@dbulandshold) October 3, 2023
The dialogue between Rodgers and Hjulmand seemed to have set the stage for what many hoped would be the beginning of O’Riley’s journey in senior international football. However, the Denmark boss’s recent squad announcement has thrown a spanner in the works, leaving many to question the criteria used in player selection.
The oversight, while disappointing, is unlikely to dampen the spirits of a player who has shown tremendous character and will still be on a high after scoring the very late winner at Fir Park. O’Riley’s focus, undoubtedly, will remain fixed on continuing his rich vein of form in the SPFL.
