Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic opened up a seven-point lead at the top of the Premiership table once again on Sunday after thrashing Hearts 4-1.
The small ticket allocation handed to Celtic away fans was a big talking point before the game, but Tynecastle was silent inside five minutes because of one man.
Matt O’Riley has probably been Celtic’s best player during the opening few months of the season, with Trevor Sinclair stating on Twitter that his first-time finish was ‘elite’.
The movement from Matt O’Riley to run across Hearts’ box was like he was Kyogo Furuhashi in disguise, as he showcased brilliant link-up play with Luis Palma before opening the scoring.
Apart from two league games this season, the rising Danish star has scored or assisted in every game this term – that’s why Callum McGregor was lauding his teammate after yesterday’s game and how he transformed himself in the summer.
And you can bet your bottom dollar that he has a few more gears to go yet because he is only growing under Brendan Rodgers’ stewardship.
Either way, he was someone that former England winger Trevor Sinclair was raving about yesterday, as he continued to show his love for the Bhoys.
Matt O’Riley’s goal v Hearts
“What a start by the Bhoys,” said Sinclair. “That’s an elite finish by O’Riley. Same again 2nd half.”
Now for the Champions League…
This was always going to be a big week for the team because of the two Edinburgh trips being sandwiched in-between the Champions League showdown against Atletico Madrid.
That Madrid tie is the main event and Celtic simply have to get something if they are to revive any hope of making something of this group.
Yes, the performance against Lazio was very encouraging and the players simply didn’t deserve to lose that match, in fact, the team deserved to win it.
But that can’t be dwelled on anymore because if Diego Simeone’s side come to town and secure all three points, then it’s game over already.
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