Matt O’Riley has been discussing his versatility as he explained the roles he can play in for Celtic ahead of a potential debut at Tynecastle tonight.
O’Riley joined Parkhead last week in a £1.5m moved from MK Dons [Sky Sports]. Signed as another body to add to the midfield battle at Celtic, he looks as though he could be set for a hostile debut in Edinburgh this evening.
Celtic have plenty of injury concerns in the engine room with Callum McGregor, Yosuke Ideguchi, and David Turnbull all missing. Ange Postecoglou only really has O’Riley, Nir Bitton, James McCarthy, and Ismaila Soro as back-up options.
And as we await to see what Ange does for his solution tonight, O’Riley has explained all of the roles he could feature in if selected.
As quoted by the Daily Record, the new Bhoy said: “I can do all of them but I most enjoy the No.8 role because it involves a bit of everything. Listen, if I am needed in the No.6 role a bit deeper, then I have the tools to do that as well and that’s always handy to have because it gives me more options and gives the manager more options as well.
“It’s a strength but if I’m going to the one I enjoy most then it’s probably being an eight, box-to-box type of player. I like to get around the pitch and I’m happy to help out in both boxes.”
Matt O’Riley’s game sounds entirely suited to Hearts vs Celtic clash
You have to absolutely love this from O’Riley. Not just because of his versatility, but because the style of game he can bring to a fixture like tonight.
I may be wrong, but I don’t see anyone starting in his place tonight. I can’t see McCarthy getting the nod for a fixture like this. Soro, meanwhile, hasn’t played a Premiership match since September. Bitton and O’Riley look like the natural options for Tynecastle.
Sure, it will be a more hostile atmosphere than would’ve been ideal for his debut, but so what? These are the games players sign for Celtic to come and play in. The crowd will be on his back from the start and he’s going to feel the heat. But that’s something he’s likely going to thrive in.
Tonight’s game is going to be helter-skelter stuff. The midfield battle is going to be gritty and fast-paced. If O’Riley is able to bring some genuine box-to-box energy then it’s exactly the kind of option we need in the central area.
There is genuine excitement about what he can bring to the fold. You can’t beat the feeling of a new signing coming just in the door and being thrown into the team for a big game. It really is sink or swim type stuff, and O’Riley certainly seems like the kind of character who will be doing the latter.
Let’s just hope he gets his opportunity.
In other news, Liam Shaw felt “really weird” leaving Sheffield Wednesday but loves life as a Celtic player
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