Southampton manager, Russell Martin, has told of how he is a huge fan of Celtic midfielder, Matt O’Riley, as he nears his first international cap for Denmark.
O’Riley was called up again to the senior Denmark squad but has, so far, failed to win his first cap for the country. But Martin recalls the time he discovered the 22-year-old at MK Dons and it seems that even now O’Riley is at Celtic, he is still a massive admirer of the youngster.
Martin said [The Herald Sport pullout print edition page 6], “I could see right away that Matt was a brilliant footballer. He is an absolutely outstanding technician. Let me tell you something about Matt: his mentality was straight out of the top drawer. At MK Dons he was every manager’s dream.
“He was the consummate professional in his preparation. He was really into that and the recovery side of the game. He was a real student of football and was genuinely interested in how he could take his game to the next level and be the best he could be.
He is physically a beast too. I said when he first signed for Celtic that he would be one of the best players in the Scottish Premiership and I am delighted for him that he has proven that statement to be correct.
He’s grown into his role at Celtic and adapted to Scottish football so well. It is not hindsight or being clever after the event, I always knew he would.
Signed by Ange Postecoglou for £1.5m in January 2022, O’Riley arrived in Scotland as an unknown midfielder with many Celtic fans questioning how he would fit into the team.
Those questions were quickly answered as he made his debut against Hearts at Tynecastle when O’Riley set up the winner with a brilliant assist in the 2-1 win in the capital