Former Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley has admitted he feels “very lucky” to have represented a club of Celtic’s stature as he reflected on his career so far.

The Danish international joined the Hoops from MK Dons for a modest fee in January 2022 before developing into one of the finest midfielders in Scottish football.

Under Brendan Rodgers, O’Riley took his game to another level, becoming one of Celtic’s standout performers and ultimately earning a £25 million move to Brighton, with add-ons capable of taking the deal to around £30 million.

His time on the south coast, however, has not gone entirely to plan.

A serious injury shortly after arriving disrupted his first season, although he marked his return with a memorable goal against Manchester City.

Despite that, O’Riley struggled to establish himself in Brighton’s plans and spent the first half of last season on loan at Marseille.

After returning to the Premier League club, opportunities remained limited, and the 25-year-old is now expected to seek another move this summer.

Looking back on his journey, O’Riley spoke about the unique global support enjoyed by both Celtic and Marseille.

He said to The Argus:

“Even when I’ve been away, I was in Prague with some friends and I met Marseille fans.

“You meet them all over the world, similar to Celtic. In that sense, they are both massive clubs because you always find a Marseille or a Celtic fan everywhere.

“I feel very lucky to have played for two teams that size because not many people do.

“And, also as a person, it has probably set me up for a lot of challenging moments.”

He arrived with little fanfare but quickly became one of the first names on the teamsheet thanks to his pure quality on and off the ball.

His performances eventually earned him a record-breaking transfer, and while his career has taken a more challenging turn since leaving Celtic Park, his appreciation for the club has clearly not diminished.

O’Riley remains one of the best pieces of business Celtic have completed in recent years.

Bought for a relatively modest fee, developed into an elite midfielder and sold for a club-record sum, his spell in Glasgow stands as a model of successful recruitment and player development.