Former Hearts midfielder and BBC Scotland pundit Michael Stewart has praised Matt O’Riley for his second-half impact in Saturday’s 7-0 win over St Johnstone.
The 21-year old once again found himself amongst the substitutes from the start, having made a swift recovery from his knock last week at Ibrox.
However, O’Riley was keen to show his impact, replacing Tom Rogic at the break and adding two brilliant goals to the Hoops tally on Saturday.
Speaking on Sportscene, Stewart was full of praise for the Danish under-21 internationalist, labelling him a ‘classy player’.
“He’s very good. There’s stiff competition in the middle of the park for Celtic, and Matt O’Riley has come in to do extremely well. These are two great goals.
“It’s a really nice header. The next one, though, is just right out of the top drawer.
“The composure, the balance and the accuracy when it comes into him in such a tight area with so many players around him. A little shift, move and smash into the top corner – he’s a silky player, he’s a classy player.”
The former Fulham and MK Dons man has been an incredibly impressive addition to the side, joining in the January window.
Since his arrival, O’Riley has laid down a marker in terms of performances, which have also helped raise the game of the likes of Tom Rogic and Reo Hatate.
The two strikes from Saturday’s win, once again showed his quality in the final third, adding his second and third strike in the Green and White.
Alongside several of his teammates, O’Riley is likely to play a huge part in the coming weeks, which will decide the fate of Celtic’s season.
