MATT O’RILEY has hailed Brendan Rodgers for his role in pushing the elegant midfielder into the £25million-plus bracket.
The London-born Danish international playmaker was signed for the Hoops by Ange Postecoglou from third-tier MK Dons in January 2022 and made an immediate impact at Parkhead.
O’Riley’s form made him a first pick for the Greek-Australian before his departure to Spurs in June 2023 as Rodgers returned to the champions for his second stint.
The 24-year-old artiste made 124 appearances for Celtic, played a key role in the revival of the team and shone in the treble-winning campaign of 2022/23.
JOY BHOYS…Brendan Rodgers and two-goal Matt O’Riley celebrate Celtic’s 5-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on May 15 last year, the victory that clinched the third successive title.
The crowdpleaser won his third Premiership and a Scottish Cup medal in his season with Rodgers at the helm before his record-breaking move to Brighton in August last year.
Paying a massive compliment to the Irishman, O’Riley said: “He put a lot of trust in me. That’s the reason last year came to fruition like it did. I had a manager who really believed in me – and he made me aware of that.
“That was really nice. By doing that, it allows you to have freedom on the pitch.
“I learned so much off Brendan, I try to be as open as I can be to improving. A lot of the meditation I do helps with being as intentional and open-minded as you can.
“Right now, I’m still adapting to a new team and playing in a new league.”
O’Riley, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “It’s great to have that challenge, it makes you better. It pushes you to levels that you previously haven’t been able to push yourself to.
HAMPDEN HOORAYS…Matt O’Riley shows his delight as the final whistle sounds in Celtic’s 1-0 Scottish Cup triumph on May 25 last year. Opponent John Lundstram doesn’t share the joy.
“I’m enjoying playing against the best players, that’s when you show your best football.
“Any time you play against players of that quality, it’s always about showcasing that.”
O’Riley, who came on as a late substitute in his team’s 1-0 home loss to Davie Moyes’ Everton yesterday, believes he can continue to improve under German Fabian Hurzeler, who, at 31, is the youngest manager in the Premier League.
He added: “Brendan has been around football a long time. Our manager is great, but, respectively, he’s still very young in his career.
“Their approaches are always going to be different. But Brendan was great for me.
“He was always very approachable and you could speak to him any time.”
