Neil Lennon makes Matt O’Riley admission despite Celtic’s win over Hibernian

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One constant thing that has been documented about Celtic’s performances this season under Brendan Rodgers is the slugging nature of it all.

Whilst fans demand better performances, which would then produce consistent results, one man who has looked like a Ferrari gliding through the Monaco Grand Prix, is Matt O’Riley.

Neil Lennon pointed out that the Celtic playmaker has ‘set a really high bar’ this season, but he just wasn’t himself during the 2-1 win over Hibernian on Wednesday night at Easter Road, as he told Sky Sports Football (07/02/24 at 10:30 pm).

Just like against Aberdeen, the 23-year-old was rusty in his play and just lacking that smoothness Celtic fans have been used to.

But even the best of the best are allowed such off days because, despite being quiet, Matt O’Riley is still the best player in Scotland and has proven that during this campaign.

The lack of consistency around him doesn’t help, Celtic’s entire forward line was changed for Hibs, with January loan signing Adam Idah netting himself a brace.

Not forgetting someone like Nicolas Kuhn who was also handed a start. Matt O’Riley needs to build new relationships with these players and that will, in turn, help him with his performances.

Either way, Neil Lennon did admit that the Danish star was ‘quiet’ against Hibs, but it won’t be too long before he is showcasing his true worth again.

Matt O’Riley performances

“He was quiet,” admitted Lennon. “He has set a really high bar this season. You can look at individuals, but I just look at it as a collective. It wasn’t totally convincing.”

Matt O’Riley’s future

Celtic did very well to swat away any attempts to sign the player in January, but it’s going to be even more difficult to do that in the summer.

There is no doubt that O’Riley is now a Champions League-level player and that might just result in big money being put on the table for him in the summer.

Whilst the club and fans would love him to stay, the money might just be too good to turn down.

If the powers that be actually produced two strong transfer windows since Rodgers returned, then fans would be more accepting.

But that simply hasn’t been the case and it doesn’t exactly help the mood around the place.