Neil McCann has spoken highly about the qualities of Celtic midfielder, Matt O’Riley.
The 22-year-old has possibly been Celtic’s best player during these opening stages of the new season, scoring or assisting in every game, bar that drab affair against St Johnstone.
But, other than that, Matt O’Riley, as he did with Ange Postecoglou, is thriving under Brendan Rodgers and it’s why Neil McCann labelled him as a ‘cultured footballer’, as he told Sportscene.
It shouldn’t be a surprise really because O’Riley is a high-quality technician, who wants to be pushed further forward, and that type of player suits what Rodgers wants in a midfield player.
Do your talking up the field, be reliable on the ball and ready to be composed enough to put your chances away, like he showcased during the win over Dundee at the weekend.
But you think that there are still higher levels the Denmark U21 international can reach because McCann is certainly a fan of the Celtic star.
O’Riley shines for Celtic against Dundee
“He is a really cultured footballer,” said McCann. “A lovely left foot. He must be enjoying the freedom of the box there (against Dundee).
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“Again, it’s the movement of Kyogo. It’s sharp. A slip down the outside, and then, can he just find the space there (for the on-rushing O’Riley)? He has just seen him in his peripheral vision.
“Then Matt O’Riley just walks onto. He is just timing his run and it’s a really nice side-foot finish. He is a top player, for me.
“When they free him up on that right side, at times. He can time runs beyond Kyogo. If Kyogo is going there (drifting to the outside), he makes sure that he is finding the box.”
Champions League football returns
There is only one place in Glasgow to watch Champions League football this season, with Rodgers set to face his first proper test of the season.
Rangers were brushed aside before the international break, even with injuries at the back.
But the Celtic faithful are hoping that there are big improvements to their Champions League results this time around because, whilst the performances, at times, were there under big Ange, the end result didn’t show it.
You would think, with Feyenoord up first, they are perhaps the easier of the ties coming up, although, Lazio are back in Europe’s elite competition after an absence.