Matt O’Riley shares how Brendan Rodgers has helped him contribute more at Celtic

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Celtic’s wins over Ross County and Aberdeen showed us two sides of this team so far under Brendan Rodgers.

There is the side that is clinical in front of goal and the side that has been wasteful and giving away possession needlessly.

The former will improve in time as the team get used to playing Brendan Rodgers’ new style of football. But as for the improvements we have seen in front of goal, Rodgers has had an immediate impact in that area since taking over just over seven weeks ago.

And there is one player that is reaping the rewards of the Celtic manager’s influence at this early stage of the season and that is Danish u21 international, Matt O’Riley.

O’Riley has now scored two goals in two games in the SPFL for Rodgers and here, he was asked how the new tactical role he is playing under the Celtic manager has helped him improve his goalscoring already this season.

O’Riley said [Celtic TV], “Yeah, a little bit. I think last season, in terms of our style, I was still able to get in the box but this season I’m probably coming on to the play a little bit more in terms of the role of I’ve got right now.

“So I can probably see the play building up a little bit better so I can pick my moment when to arrive in the box. And for me, I think that’s probably a strength in my game, being able to see the play develop and then pick my moment. So that’s probably why you’re seeing that.”

Matt O’Riley is flourishing under Brendan Rodgers at Celtic

O’Riley certainly seems to be becoming a much more accomplished player at Celtic under Brendan Rodgers. We are starting to see a different side to the player both on and off the pitch.

On the pitch, he seems much more confident in his new role as a more forward-thinking midfielder. His two goals this season are already an improvement on last season under Ange Postecoglou where it took until January for O’Riley to break his scoring duck.

O’Riley is also showing some good leadership skills as well under Rodgers. Last week we told how the 22-year-old displayed a brilliant public show of support for David Turnbull as the Scottish midfielder made the first team breakthrough under Rodgers that he struggled to do under Postecoglou.

I’m liking what I am seeing from O’Riley under Rodgers and the future looks good for the midfielder under the tutelage of the Celtic manager.

In other news, Brendan Rodgers pays Kyogo the ultimate compliment after the Celtic striker’s Pittodrie goal