Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley was central to the Hoops’ 3-0 victory over Livingston on Saturday afternoon. The Danish international put in an outstanding shift, scoring and contributing massively to his side’s overall performance.
After the match, O’Riley spoke to Celtic’s official club media. He talked about how he is continually improving and making progress each week.
The 22-year-old revealed that he tends to try and blank out what has happened previously and have a fresh mindset going into each match. He said: “It’s just about resetting each game and forgetting about each game, not forgetting, but reminding yourself that there’s only the next game, the next game, and the next training session so as long as you can keep on that frame of mind it’s quite easy to come back to centre and reset.”
Clearly, O’Riley’s logic is working down a tee. The treble-winner is in the form of his life right now. This season so far in the league, he averages a goal or assist every 86 minutes.
He wants to get better, though. On this, O’Riley said: “If I’m not improving each season then I probably have to look at what I’m doing off the pitch as well. I dedicate my whole life trying to improve myself as a football player and person so I’m glad that it’s showing but at the same time, there’s still a long way to go.”
Under Brendan Rodgers, O’Riley has hit new heights. Celtic’s number 33 has taken his game to a new level under the Irishman, whose style of management is clearly working well with the midfielder. It may be early doors, but it would not be out there to suggest O’Riley could end up the Hoops’ Player of the Season if he keeps going the way he is.
