Matt O’Riley lifts lid on Celtic 'rough patch' as star cites hidden off-field issues and social media dangers

Matt O'Riley plays the game with a maturity and authority that makes it difficult to remember he’s only 22 years old.

Just as there are times when supporters, social media and, yes, those in Press boxes, also forget that under the shirt they wear on a Saturday there lies a human being who has the same worries and stresses as those of us who don’t kick a ball for a living.

Celtic midfielder O’Riley admits he underwent a period midway through the season when issues outside football took a toll on his performances, but the Danish Under 21 international is now in a much better place and hopes to enjoy a red letter day on Sunday when Celtic travel to Tynecastle with a title win in their sights. To be fair to the former MK Dons player, his on-field displays may not have hit the standards that he wants or expects from himself, but nor did his form decline sharply enough for anyone other than those closest to him to notice.

To be fair to the former MK Dons player, his on-field displays may not have hit the standards that he wants or expects from himself, but nor did his form decline sharply enough for anyone other than those closest to him to notice.

But for a player who has played 66 games for Celtic since arriving last January, and who has tasted domestic defeat only twice in that time, it was enough to see him spend a spell on the bench, while still making a meaningful contribution when he came on, as he did most weeks.

Now, though, O’Riley is flying again, as proved by his excellent performance in Sunday’s Scottish Cup semi final win over Rangers.

“I think I’ve played pretty well in the last four or five games,” he said as he helped promote a Celtic Charity Foundation initiative in conjunction with Parkinsons UK. "People