Celtic handed English Premier League endorsement as Ange told his side are 'a cut above' Premiership rivals

Matt O'Riley reckons Celtic are reaching English Premier League levels in Scotland’s top flight.

And the Parkhead ace insists Ange Postecoglou’s blinkered and relentless team are determined to keep raising their ever-heightening bar. Celtic are rampaging their way through the campaign and their latest success at Kilmarnock brought hefty praise from defeated home star Kyle Vassell who says facing them was like tackling a Premier League team from his days in England.

Vassell said: “When I played Premier League teams in the cup. Genuinely, the top teams. My comparison would be a Premier League team. The way they are organised and they are so disciplined, they just keep the ball. They are a cut above.”

O’Riley was coy over a direct comparison in the divisions, but admits that receiving such plaudits from an opposition player is a superb sign of the squad’s blistering progress and form.

The Celtic star said: “It’s hard to compare us to the Premier League because we haven’t played in that league before. But, in terms of the level that we’re playing at now, it’s probably to that level which is nice. When it’s recognised by other players that you’re playing against, it’s obviously a good sign.”

However, O’Riley and his team are aiming even higher. Celtic already have the Viaplay Cup in the bag, need just seven points from their last six Premiership games to regain the title and are in the last four of the Scottish Cup.

Postecoglou’s team can break a league points record having dropped just five all term. They have won 37 out of 39 domestic matches with only one loss and have smashed 131 goals in all competitions.

But O’Riley says there’s no set targets within the unit and that the only motivation is to keep lifting the