Southampton manager Russell Martin has hailed Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley as a consummate professional for the time the pair spent together at MK Dons.
Martin managed O’Riley for a year at MK Dons and was the first coach to give O’Riley consistent first-team game time after the Danish midfielder failed to break into the Fulham first team.
O’Riley made the tough decision to drop down from the English Championship to join MK Dons in League One in a bid to secure game time. Under Martin’s management, he was able to make 49 appearances in League One, netting 10 goals and providing seven assists.
Martin played a huge part in transforming O’Riley into the player he is today. During their time together, he was able to mould O’Riley into an all-around midfielder who seamlessly slotted into the Celtic midfield upon joining the club, displacing legendary midfielder Tom Rogic.
Martin said [The Herald], “I could see right away that Matt was a brilliant footballer. He is an absolutely outstanding technician. Let me tell you something about Matt: his mentality was straight out of the top drawer. At MK Dons he was every manager’s dream.
“He was the consummate professional in his preparation. He was really into that and the recovery side of the game. He was a real student of football and was genuinely interested in how he could take his game to the next level and be the best he could be.
“He is physically a beast too. I said when he first signed for Celtic that he would be one of the best players in the Scottish Premiership and I am delighted for him that he has proven that statement to be correct.
“He’s grown into his role at Celtic and adapted to Scottish football so well. It is not hindsight or being clever after the event, I always knew he would.”
Martin was reportedly interested in signing O’Riley in the summer but failed to secure the move for the Celtic midfielder, who has since signed a new deal with the Hoops until the summer of 2027, showing his desire to remain at the club.
O’Riley has been sensational this season for Celtic, netting six goals and providing five assists in 12 Scottish Premiership games. This has undoubtedly led to an increased number of rumours of a move away from the club, with both Liverpool and Borussia Dortmund said to be interested in a potential deal.
For the time remaining though O’Riley is committed to Celtic and recently secured qualification for EURO 2024 with the Danish National team.
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