MATT O’Riley has revealed former Rangers centre half Russell Martin has become an avid follower of Celtic since he moved to Parkhead earlier this year and enjoys watching Ange Postecoglou’s side in action.
Ex-Scotland internationalist Martin managed the attacking midfielder during his two seasons in charge at English League One club MK Dons and has remained in contact with him since taking over at Swansea City last year.
He has been delighted at how well the London-born Dane has fared since being signed by the Glasgow giants for £1.5m back in January and regularly tunes in to the Scottish champions games to watch him in action.
“I felt I was in a good place with my technical development when I was at Fulham,” said O’Riley. “I spoke to Scott Parker a lot when I was there. But Russell Martin is the one who I am still in contact with the most.
“He was a big influence on me at MK. He’s the first manager to really understand me as a player and more importantly as a person. I’m very fortunate I’m in the same situation here with the manager.”
He added: “Russell is happy for me. He tries to tune in to all the games, even though he’s a manager at Swansea.
“He loves watching and he’s a massive follower of my journey. Have I turned him in to a follower of Celtic? I don’t want to get him any stick as a former Rangers player! But we have a good relationship.”
O’Riley, who set up the opening two goals in the 4-0 win over Rangers at Parkhead on Saturday, is hopeful that he can develop his skills further at Celtic under Postecoglou.
“I am trying to improve every day,” he said. “If I am not doing that I don’t see what the point is. I go into training every day intending to try and come out of a little bit better. Hopefully that translates on the pitch.
“I feel like right now I am doing it. Hopefully at the end of the season the team and I are at a better level than we are just now because we want to keep improving.”
