Matt O'Riley says Celtic COULD win Champions League and is certain they were destined for knock outs under Ange

It’s a sign of how much belief Ange Postecoglou had instilled in his Celtic team. Of how much he’d improved players during his reign at Parkhead. And also, how humility is arguably the biggest strength of the squad he’s left behind.

Matt O’Riley had no idea that his gaffer was on his way to Spurs when he sat down to discuss his development under Postecoglou and what the future might hold. Off the back of another successful campaign, the Hoops midfielder was looking ahead to more progress – individually and collectively – under the Australian gaffer.

Whether that happens with Celtic’s new boss, whoever it may be, remains to be seen. But O’Riley’s points are still valid, regardless. He talked about taking his own game on to a new level with Postecoglou in charge. He claimed several players who were signed by their former manager have multiplied their own transfer value through their performances.

And whisper it, but O’Riley believed that before he left for London, Postecoglou was ready to take Celtic into the Champions League knockout phase and beyond. That’s how big a blow his stunning exit to Spurs will be to the Parkhead squad.

As he reflected on what the Aussie has done for players there, the man plucked from MK Dons for £1.5million said: “He signed a lot of players for relatively cheap fees. They’re probably worth 10 times that amount now.

“Cameron Carter-Vickers is an example. He’s definitely worth a lot more now. But you could say that about half the squad here.

“Postecoglou has bought people for relative peanuts, including myself. It was cheap, compared to what I’m probably worth now. So the club have done very good business.

“I’ve become a better player at Celtic, definitely. When the team gets better, your