‘Basically’… Matt O’Riley on his Celtic consistency and summer chance of stardom

Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley has been the star of the show under Brendan Rodgers during his second reign at Parkhead.

On Monday, the Denmark international was rewarded for his excellent form over the last year, earning a nomination for the PFA Scotland Scottish Premiership Player Of The Year Award alongside Jack Butland, James Tavernier and Lawrence Shankland.

Undoubtedly, the 23-year-old has found his goalscoring touch this term, registering 14 goals and 16 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions for Celtic [Transfermarkt].

In January, his supreme displays alerted La Liga giants Atletico Madrid to his talents; however, the Hoops knocked back a loan bid with an obligatory purchase clause that would’ve activated in the summer.

Reports from Italy claim Serie A champions Inter Milan are also keen to pounce in the summer and have the London-born man under ‘observation’ at San Siro.

Whatever the outcome of the summer window holds for O’Riley, his main priority for the time being will be ensuring Celtic claim Scottish Premiership and Scottish Cup glory in their five remaining fixtures.

Matt O’Riley opens up on Celtic consistency and speculation

Over the last few months, there has been speculation surrounding O’Riley’s future, a natural cause of his work on the pitch this season.

Per Fotmob, his creative qualities on league duty have been admirable. He ranks as Celtic’s best chance creator, with 79 opportunities fashioned for his teaMMAtes.

In what is becoming a common theme, the former MK Dons man has shed light on how he deals with pressure amid EURO 2024 being on the horizon, in which he will be desperate to be involved by virtue of his Celtic consistency.

He stated [Scottish Sun]: “I’m genuinely doing my best to try not to think about any of that other stuff. That’s why my performance has been in a good place for a while because I don’t focus on any of it.

“The more noise you have in your head, the less it helps. And if I want to do the best job I can for Celtic I just need to focus on our targets.

“The Euros is a long way away and for me to hopefully get in the squad comes from me doing well here. So it’s a day at a time, focusing my attention on what I need to do here and not other stuff, basically.”

Attitude has a lot to do with success in Football, and it appears O’Riley has got his spot-on, prioritising the present over getting carried away with the possibilities his future could present.

One thing is for certain: if he can finish off the campaign by playing a key role in the Bhoys’ pursuit of a domestic double, his chances of being selected to participate at EURO 2024 with Denmark are likely to be an an all-time high.