Matt O'Riley airs incredible verdict on Rodgers – Celtic hero 'respectfully' elevates the brilliance of Brendan

Former Celtic star Matt O’Riley has no doubt Brendan Rodgers played a key role in his journey to the Premier League.

The ambitious 24-year-old midfielder dazzled for the Hoops, winning a hat-trick of Premiership titles under Ange Postecoglou and Rodgers. Winning the Treble in season 2022/23 with the Aussie was the highlight but O’Riley took his own game to a new level after Rodgers returned.

He joined Brighton for £25million in August last year and is loving life in his debut season in the Premier League. O’Riley, who played 124 times for the Hoops, said: “He [Brendan] put a lot of trust in me. That’s the reason last year came to fruition like it did. I had a manager that really believed in me – and he made me aware of that. That was really nice. By doing that, it allows you to have freedom on the pitch.

“I learned so much off Brendan, I try to be as open as I can be to improving. A lot of the meditation I do helps with being as intentional and open-minded as you can. If I close myself to any new ideas then I’m not really going to improve to a level that is potentially there in the future. I try to be as open as I can to new information. Right now, I’m still adapting to a new team and playing in a new league. It’s a great challenge but if I’m not open it won’t work.”

O’Riley loved life at Celtic but was hungry to test himself in the English top flight against superstars such as Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Liverpool’s Mo Salah. He added: “It’s great to have that challenge, it makes you better. It pushes you to levels that you previously haven’t been able to push yourself to “I’m enjoying playing against the best players, that’s when you show your best football. Any time you play against players of that quality,