Celtic: 21 y/o with ‘great potential’ could have ‘big, big career’ at Parkhead

Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley could have a ‘big, big career’ with the club following his fast start to life in Scotland, according to Sky Sports reporter Anthony Joseph.

The 21-year-old arrived at Parkhead in January after completing a £1.5 million switch from League One outfit MK Dons and went on to enjoy a stellar second half to the 2021/22 campaign.

O’Riley rose up through the ranks of boyhood club Fulham but only made five senior appearances for the capital club before departing in search of regular game time.

The youngster, who was born in London but represents Denmark at Under-21 level, then registered 10 goals and eight assists for MK Dons, catching the eye of several top clubs.

But it was Celtic who won the race for O’Riley’s signature, snapping him up on a four-and-a-half-year contract, with Ange Postecoglou playing a key role in his decision to join the Hoops.

And the 6 foot 2 ace slotted into the Glasgow giants’ engine room seamlessly upon his arrival last winter, racking up six goal contributions in 20 appearances as Celtic reclaimed the top-flight title.

O’Riley has made an impressive start to life with Postecoglou’s charges, and Joseph believes he is the ‘type of player and type of character’ who can replace the departed Tom Rogic.

He told GiveMeSport: “Look at the pre-season games, you don’t just have to go on the pre-season games, you could see when he played last season that this is someone who’s got great potential and could have a big, big career at Celtic.

“And I think we’re seeing that already, and I think he’s only going to get better this season. But like I say, big boots to fill in Tom Rogic, but he definitely seems like the type of player and the type of character who could make that step up.”