‘MATTER OF BEING RUTHLESS,’ INSISTS ‘CHALLENGED’ CELT

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MATT O’RILEY is aiming for a double breakthrough when Celtic take on Atletico Madrid in the Champions League encounter at Parkhead tomorrow night.

Brendan Rodgers’ men are desperate to get their first points at the third time of trying after two back-to-back losses against Feyenoord and Lazio in Group E of Europe’s elite competition.

And the elegant midfielder is still searching for his initial win at this exclusive level after suffering eight successive failures – two draws and six defeats – since his £1.5million arrival from MK Dons in January last year.

ROARING SUCCESS…Luis Palma congratulates Matt O’Riley on his excellent opening goal in the 4-1 win over Hearts.

However, O’Riley, the Hoops’ current man of the moment after some dazzling, eye-catching displays, is far from despondent and believes the team can turn the corner against Diego Simeone’s La Liga All-Stars in another pulverising, rocking night under the lights in the east end of Glasgow.

Quizzed if that barrier-crashing triumph is in sight, the 22-year-old Danish international answered: “Yeah, definitely. If we play well, take our chances and believe we can do it, anything is possible.

“We have seen that in Champions League games in the past. I think performance is definitely there, it’s just a matter of being ruthless in both boxes, to be honest.

“The performances have warranted wins.

“We’ve said that before, but I think we have got good reason to believe we can win games. So, we’ll see how we go.

“We’ve been frustrated that we haven’t won yet and that is something that I would like to try and change.”

THAT’S MY BHOY…Brendan Rodgers embraces Matt O’Riley after his display at Tynecastle.

Relishing the prospect of facing the Spanish cracks, O’Riley, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “It’s the biggest stage in football, so, naturally, people give it more attention and respect just because of the opposition level.

”I feel challenged, but I definitely feel most at home at that level because these are the games that give you a real challenge.

“You are really tested in terms of your limits against the best players in the world. So, if you can perform at that level, it is clarification that you are able to perform.”

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