We reported earlier in the week that Brendan Rodgers – who has yet to make a signing this summer for Leicester City and has apparently been told he has to generate his own funds by selling the deadwood at the club – has his eye on Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley.
Ange Postecoglou then got involved by saying he welcomes interest in our players because it I a positive sign that they are doing well and being noticed, adding that he’d seen no sign that the story had turned O’Riley’s head in any way.
Matt O’Riley (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
And it was maybe due to all of this that the former MK Dons midfielder turned up on Sky Sports yesterday outlining his aspirations and ambitions for the season and in doing so emphasising that his focus is entirely on Celtic and Denmark, with his performances at club level for Celtic now giving him aa chance to make the World Cup with that fine Danish side.
“Probably a few targets. First of all just to improve my level, naturally,” O’Riley told Sky Sports. “I thought I did well last season but I still think I can do a lot more. This season I really want to kick on for myself and hopefully push for other things in terms of cups.
On winning a place in the Denmark squad for Qatar “of course is a target,” O’Riley added. “I want to be there so I’m going to do my best to do that. Champions League exposure helps a little bit with that. As long as I do my best, hopefully I’ve got a good chance.”
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – JULY 16: Tyrhs Dolan of Blackburn Rovers vies with Matt O’Riley during the Pre-Season Friendly match between Celtic and Blackburn Rovers on July 16, 2022 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
While he only arrived at Celtic in the January transfer window, the Danish Under 21 international midfielder is well aware of the chaotic nature of the pre-season Celtic had to go through last summer and sees a big contrast with what has happened since the players reported back this time around with the pre-season camp in Austria, games there and in Czech Republic and Poland and two friendlies at Celtic Park against Blackburn Rovers last weekend and Norwich City today, all designed to make sure that the Scottish Champions hit the ground running starting next Sunday against Aberdeen.
“Last pre season 90 per cent of the squad now weren’t actually in the team so even that, being together for that amount of time and preparing properly together, should help a lot. The environment is good right now, everyone is feeling good.” O’Riley added.
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