Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand has explained his decision to snub Matt O'Riley ahead of their huge clashes with Croatia and France next week.
The Celtic midfielder has been in inspired form under Ange Postecoglou and has designs on a World Cup spot after switching his international allegiance from England to the Danes earlier this year. He's started every game for the Hoops this season and laid on five assists in seven games, but is yet to make his senior bow under Hjulmand.
He named his squad on Tuesday as they look to win their Nations League group and advance to the tournament finals. But O'Riley, who has four caps for the Under-21s, has been left with Hasmus Hojlund's team for their European Championship playoff double-header with Croatia. And A-team boss Hjulmand says that's because the best option for O'Riley is to rack up more minutes for the Under-21s and impress in their two games in the upcoming break.
He said: "There is no time to look at anyone. We have to win the games. We're in a group final and it's all about winning. The moment an U21 player is (ready) to play such a match, he is selected with us for the senior national team.
"So Matt O'Riley was not in play for this match. And it makes much better sense for Matt, and his chances of making it to the World Cup, that he plays a good game for the U21s against Croatia.
"So it's about playing time, and it's about doing the best for the players and the senior team, but if we think we can use him with us, then that's what we'll do, because Jesper Sorensen (U21 national coach) is fantastic to work with on that front."
O'Riley's impressive form has seen him linked with Newcastle and Leicester among others but he insists Celtic is the best place for him to be as he looks to force his way into the World Cup squad. He said: “I didn't really think about (leaving) because nobody from Celtic told me that, for example, Newcastle had made an offer. It wasn't like that, so there wasn't much to think about, and a lot is also written in the media.
"It's great to get some recognition, because it means that I'm doing well at Celtic. But as I say, Celtic is the perfect place for me right now. It's a big club, we play in the Champions League, the fans are insanely good and the team is good. It's a perfect place to be, and I also think it's a good place to be if I want to go to the World Cup with Denmark.”
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