‘Top player’: Callum McGregor wowed by Celtic star who returned in ’incredible condition’ this summer

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Callum McGregor has waxed lyrical about Matt O’Riley after he continued his strong form for Celtic during the 4-1 thrashing of Hearts at Tynecastle.

Amid all the talk about the lack of away tickets being handed out for this fixture, Celtic opened the scoring after four minutes when Matt O’Riley’s clever run was found by Luis Palma, before his outstanding first-time finish.

Was that Kyogo Furuhashi in disguise? It was such a brilliant finish and movement for a player that Callum McGregor thinks has transformed. 

The Celtic captain shared that Matt O’Riley returned this summer in ‘incredible condition’, as he told Sky Sports Football (22/10/23 at 4:15 pm). 

And now the rising Denmark star is being rewarded with his performances out on the pitch.

After nine Premiership games, the 22-year-old has scored six goals and two assists to his name – failing to score or assist in only two games this term.

Either way, the quick-thinking playmaker was lauded by Callum McGregor after the showing at Hearts today.

’Top player’ Matt O’Riley

“He has been superb,” said McGregor. “Like he touched upon, a little bit of luck, as soon as you get a goal, then you feel good about yourself.

“But he came back in the summer in incredible condition. He clearly worked really, really hard over the summer and he totally deserves his vein of form and goals and assists.

“He is such an important player for the team. He makes us tick in that first phase of the game, then he is joining in and getting goals. Coming up with big goals and assists.

“He is a top player and he just keeps working.”

Celtic’s best player this season?

It could be argued that during the opening stages of the new season, O’Riley has been the best player under Brendan Rodgers.

McGregor himself has been ever-reliable, Liam Scales has come along leaps and bounds, Kyogo is still doing what he is doing best, whilst Reo Hatate’s form is starting to pick up. 

But O’Riley has perhaps been the best of the lot and a player who will only continue to grow during these coming months.

A call-up to Denmark’s senior side, an assist in the Champions League last time out, and now another stellar performance in the league.

These are just signs of things to come from Celtic’s playmaker in the middle.