MATT O’RILEY’S weekend of celebration continued as he picked up THREE top awards at the Celtic Player of the Year ceremony at a packed OVO Hydro last night.
Over 11,000 fans turned out in joyous mood after the masterful midfielder had picked up the Man of the Match honour following his display in the 2-1 win over Philippe Clement’s Ibrox outfit at Parkhead 24 hours earlier.
O’Riley whipped in a splendid opener before John Lundstram defected a left-wing cross from Daizen Maeda beyond Jack Butland for the second.
The only blip for the Danish international playmaker came shortly after the interval when he squandered a penalty-kick which would have restored the Hoops’ two-goal advantage.
MAN OF THE MATCH…and Man of the Moment: Matt O’Riley accepts the acclaim of 60,000 Celtic fans after the 2-1 derby success at Parkhead on Saturday.
However, the triumph propelled Brendan Rodgers’ men into a six-point lead with only two games to play and the championship will remain at home in the Parkhead trophy cabinet for a third successive year.
All talk of a twelfth crown in 13 years – and the 54th flag in the club’s glorious history – was put on the backburner when the personal awards were handed out at the Glasgow venue last night.
O’Riley won three of the prestigious prizes – the Players’ Player of the Year, the Player of the Year and the Young Player of the Year – with 23-year-old Londoner accepting the silverware acknowledgements to raptrurous applause from the supporters.
THE ROLL OF HONOUR
Players’ Player of the Year: Matt O’Riley
The stylish middle-of-the-park performer, subject to interest from Atletico Madrid in the January transfer window, has added goals to his repertoire with 16 strikes this time out while also assisting in 17 others.
Player of the Year: Matt O’Riley
The main award of the night and again it was O’Riley stepping up to receive the accolade. It must be said the gifted midfield operator is proving to be one of the club’s best purchases in the 21st Century after arriving in Glasgow in a £1.5million switch from English third-tier club MK Dons in January 2022.
Young Player of the Year: Matt O’Riley
On a night of trebles for the player, this was a double-up after winning the same honour last season.
Academy Player of the Year: Daniel Kelly
The 18-year-old midfield powerhouse has made the first-team breakthrough under Brendan Rodgers. He also claimed his first goal in the top side with a thunderous drive in the 7-1 win over Dundee at Parkhead in February. Contract extension talks are ongoing.
Top Goalscorer: Kyogo Furuhashi
The Japanese international striker made it successive awards after notching 18 this season to add to the 54 he claimed in his first two years.
Goal of the Season: Kyogo Furuhashi
The lightning-swift raider netted matchwinners in two derbies – the 1-0 triumph at Ibrox in September and the 2-1 success at Parkhead in December – but it was the one in the east end of Glasgow just before the turn of the year that got the vote for the best.
Legendary Goal of the Season: Shunsuke Nakamura
This special award was offered for the most memorable strike over the last 20 seasons. The Japanese international’s astonishing long-range free-kick effort against Manchester United in a Champions League 2006/07 encounter at Parkhead was the one that stood out among many outstanding contenders.
Legendary Player of the Year: Scott Brown
The onfield leader during the phenomenal quadruple success received the special award from his adoring legion of fans, Celtic certainly got their money’s worth from a player who cost £4.4million when Gordon Strachan bought him from Hibs in May 2007.
Outstanding contribution: Henrik Larsson
The Swedish legend cost a mere £650,000 from Feyenoord in the summer of 1997 and was a pivotal player when Wim Jansen’s side prevented Rangers from winning 10 in a row the following year. Scored over 200 goals for the Hoops before leaving for Barcelona in 2004.
WOMEN’S AWARDS
Players’ Player of the Year: Amy Gallacher
The prolific goalscorer has proved to be invaluable as Celtic chase the championship. There are only two games to play and she is ready to play her part in bringing that silverware to Parkhead.
Player of the Year: Caitlin Hayes
Following another excellent season, Caitlin has been rewarded with back-to-back Player of the Year awards. She’s been an ever present for the team.
Top Goalscorer: Amy Gallachaer
Amy Gallacher has hit 23 goals in 28 appearances while also producing 18 assists. She was on target again in the 3-0 win over Partick Thistle at the weekend.
Goal of the Season: Natasha Flint
Natasha claimed the eye-catching strike against Rangers at Ibrox and it could go a long way to Celtic winning the SWPL title with Elena Sadiuku’s side in pole position ahead of their city rivals on goal difference with two to play.
Special recognition award: David Potter
The award was made to the late David Potter who the club say was “among the finest chroniclers of the history of the club”.
