Celtic's midterm report card makes impressive reading with the Hoops nine points clear at the top of the Premiership after a start to the campaign that rivals the best work done by Martin O’Neill and Brendan Rodgers.
But Matt O’Riley reckons Celts must do better when they get back to business in a few weeks. It’s a measure of the high standards demanded by boss Ange Postecoglou that there’s the slightest tinge of disappointment about their opening to the title defence.
Celtic have won 14 out of 15 games and are into the semi-finals of the Viaplay Cup, with a shock defeat at St Mirren the only slip up on Scottish soil. Only O’Neill in his pomp and Rodgers in the invincible season managed to set off in marginally better fashions but O’Riley warned rivals his side have barely got going yet.
The midfielder is convinced the Hoops have more to come, with captain Callum McGregor returning from injury and new signings Yuki Kobayashi and Alistair Johnston on the way and the full focus on domestic domination after the gruelling European schedule.
O’Riley insisted Celts won’t give an inch when they get back and he said: “That’s our intention. We can still improve on the level we’ve been showing. I know we’ve won all of the games before the break, but I think we can still be more convincing in the way we win, I think we can be more consistent with all of our performances and all of our details.
“Especially if we want Champions League next season, we’re going to need to be consistently playing at a high level and when you transition you’re going to have to be ready for it. At a club like this you’ve got to be pushing the levels consistently. With the squad we’ve got, the staff, the manager, we’re going to be in a good position to really challenge at the highest level.”
Celtic are in pole position while rivals Rangers are facing major upheaval with Mick Beale arriving at Ibrox to replace Gio van Bronckhorst. No one at Parkhead will be looking across the city and any suggestion complacency might set is in quickly shot down.
O’Riley said: “No chance. It’s not going to happen. The consistency and mentality has to be the same every game, regardless of whether it’s a competitive match or even a friendly. So when you transition into a league game, then you’re going to keep that form and momentum.
“We are aware it’s a good position to be in. We’re aware of the table But at the same time, we’re not really looking at it. We’re just focusing on our own stuff every day. That sounds a boring answer, I know. But it’s true. There’s a process to it and if we keep following that then I’m sure we will be in a good place.”
O’Riley is enjoying a break after a hectic run in the build up to the World Cup. Postecoglou rotated his squad on a game to game basis, but the playmaker was one of the ever-presents along with Reo Hatate.
You’d think the £1.5m signing from MK Dons will be relishing the chance to stick the feet up but he’s already looking forward to returning to action.
O’Riley said: “I wouldn’t say I need one a break but I think it will still be beneficial. We had so many games in such a short period. I’ve also played quote a lot. So to be able to shut down the system, complete rest for a week or so, that will be good.
“In the summer I got about two weeks off and I really felt that just one week of switching off and relaxing your body can help you come back really flying. So that will be my aim.
"Can it be mentally exhausting? Definitely, even with the travel involved playing in the Champions League. “Personally, that was something new. But you’ve just got to adjust to, that’s how football works. And I think we dealt with it well. We’ve managed games that were tough, we’ve come back from difficult positions Listen it was cool. I’ve got my head around it all now.”
O’Riley admitted his head was spinning going from the Championship in January to the Champions League this season. But the 21-year-old is convinced he’ll be stronger on the back of a group stage campaign that showed promise even if the results didn’t quite go to plan.
O’Riley said: “First game in the Champions League I was probably a little nervous. But as I got more experience which is positive. But then there’s also the environment, generally, with Celtic. It’s massive. It affects your general well-being. I feel comfortable in my environment now and I’m enjoying it. I’m looking forward to going again after the break, for sure.”
It’s been a whirlwind first year at Parkhead for the midfielder but he is now much more comfortable in his surroundings. O’Riley was blown away by the scale of the club when he arrived from down south and he got another reminder on Celtic’s recent trip to Australia, where they went up against Sydney FC and EPL Everton.
He said: “Every new experience is an eye opener. Even just our support for the Everton game was crazy. Compared to Everton, we were a lot louder. We showed that we have very dedicated fans. I spoke to a few Australian fans at the beach the other day and they said they get up at three every morning to watch all of our games. That just shows how big our club is.”
