Matt O'Riley passes Celtic acid tests as old mentor insists he's completed midfield puzzle

Peter Grant has seen Matt O’Riley glow in the heat of Celtic.

And the former Parkhead star reckons having his old charge within a group of other outstanding engine-room options is a golden scenario for boss Ange Postecoglou as he hunts more silver.

Ex-midfielder Grant is hugely impressed by the current alternatives gathered and moulded by the Australian during his squad reshaping.

Postecoglou already had skipper Callum McGregor in place upon arrival. He had countryman Tom Rogic, the experienced Nir Bitton and also the youthful talents of David Turnbull.

All have thrived under his management and January recruits such as O’Riley and Reo Hatate have added to quality and depth in a key area of the park for Celtic.

Grant feels his old club have good choices in all areas but midfield is crucial and Postecoglou has built it superbly.

He said: “The biggest thing they have is options all over the place and in midfield they have an abundance of it.

“In midfield there was always a concern about losing Tom Rogic and not having a replacement for him and also him going through 90 minutes.

“There’s been a big change in that and also you have the addition of O’Riley, who I like.

“I’ve known Matt for a long time and he has the quality. My concern was where he was going to fit into the side – whether he would be a bit higher or lower in there.

“I spent a long time in England and Scottish football gets knocked but, when people come here, they can soon see the quality in it.

“Last weekend against Ross County, there was Matt with Nir Bitton coming on and also David Turnbull.

“That’s what a manager wants all of the time. Matt didn’t even start the game and, of course, there is Callum McGregor.

“It’s the rotation in there. You see