Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley earned a fully deserved call-up to the Danish national team on Sunday. The Hoops star was drafted in place of Kasper Dolberg, who was forced to leave the camp because his wife was having twins.
With a goal or assist every 97 minutes in the league for his club side so far in 2023/24, O’Riley has taken to life under new manager Brendan Rodgers like a duck to water. His international call-up was no surprise.
When he received it, however, O’Riley revealed that he was on a mid-season holiday in Mallorca. He said (Bold.dk): “It happened very quickly. I just got a call from Morten Wieghorst and Kasper Hjulmand. I was just sitting in Mallorca and eight hours later I was in Denmark, so it all happened very quickly. Wieghorst said that there was a very good chance that I would go and then I had to pack my things and be ready.”
It seems as though it was a rapid turnaround for O’Riley, who wanted to keep himself hidden when checking out of his hotel. He stated: “I also had to talk to the hotel reception and say that I had to check out, but the feeling you get with that is really good! It was a bit strange. After all, I wasn’t sure if I should hide my face or not. I didn’t want anyone to talk about it, so I chose to wear a hat and hood.”
O’Riley is not the only notable name involved with Celtic to have been dragged away from Mallorca of late. Rodgers was holidaying on the Spanish island when he got the call to become the new manager of the Scottish champions.
He has prospered for the Celts since returning from Mallorca, and the 22-year-old will be keen for the same fortune as he looks to make his full international debut on Tuesday when the Danes travel to face San Marino.
