Matt O'Riley

Class yesterday, everyone just seemed proper up for it. He has all the ingredients to reach the absolute top of the game.

 

https://www.tipsbladet.dk/nyhed/landshold/englaender-udtaget-dk-derfor-valgte-jeg-dem



There was a surprising face in the Danish U21 national team squad, which on Tuesday was selected for the showdown against Belgium later in March. Jesper Sørensen selected the exciting but relatively unknown Matt O'Riley from Celtic. In his first interview with Danish media, O'Riley talks about his career, his choice and being a Dane.


On Tuesday, Denmark's U21 national coach, Jesper Sørensen, lifted a rabbit out of his hat when Englishman Matt O'Riley was among his 22 selected for a test match against Belgium later this month.

We write English, but we should actually write Danish in a football context, because he has made the choice to play for Denmark.

O'Riley plays on a daily basis in the central midfield for the Scottish big club Celtic, which he switched to from MK Dons in January. Despite his not-so-Danish-sounding last name, he has plenty of Danish blood over the years, and on Tuesday he was selected for the U21 national team.

- It's mega fat. It's a wonderful feeling for me and my family. Especially because I have a lot of family in Denmark. Now I get the opportunity to play for Denmark and at the same time see my family and represent them, which is really cool for me. So I'm really happy, says Matt O'Riley to Tipsbladet.

In the interview, he also tells how he came to the conclusion that it is Denmark and not England or Norway that he wants to play for.

Therefore Matt O'Riley can play for Denmark
Matt O'Riley was born and raised in England. His mother, Birgitte O'Riley, has lived in England for the last almost 30 years, but was born and raised in Denmark. Therefore, the Celtic profile can pull the red-and-white jersey over his head. But it's not the only national team jersey he can wear.

His father is English, while his grandfather is Norwegian. Therefore, he can represent three different nations. After a lifetime in England, one could imagine that "Three Lions" draws the most in him. But the feelings and the relationship with Denmark have always been strong and have been close to the midfielder's heart.

- I have been to Denmark quite a few times. I have been there for Christmas and I have also been there in the summer. I really like Copenhagen - especially in the summer. I have been to Amager Strand in the summer when my grandmother lives there. All the people are also very friendly, which is a wonderful environment to be in.

Matt O'Riley started his football career at Fulham when he was eight years old. At an early age, he aimed at the stars.




My mother helped me a lot when I was younger, because I was extremely passionate about becoming a professional football player, so she researched a lot about nutrition. I myself was very professional, but I also knew she was better at understanding it. Since I did not have a club, my father trained with me even though he was about 60 years old at the time. He helped me with the running work and the football game, and he was happy to do that. They have been really good role models for me.

As a 16-year-old, he made his debut for Fulham's first team, but it never became a major breakthrough. It caused him a few years later to leave the club in search of playing time. Something that most people wrinkled their noses over back then. For half a year he was without a club before putting the most important signature of his career at MK Dons.

- I signed with them in January (2021, ed.) And played continuously for a year. It was very rewarding as other clubs and scouts could keep an eye on me. I am very grateful for the stay there, which is one of the most important in my career so far. From there, I signed with Celtic (January 2022, ed.), Where I would like to continue my development and build on.

A colossal step for the Englishman, who had to move the tent poles to Scotland in January. But he must not fear loneliness. The family has supported him every day, and they have gone the extra mile as they have traveled with the creative midfielder to Glasgow:

- My parents are part of my team. They are two of the most important people in my life in general and in my football career because of all that they have helped me and sacrificed for my sake. They are both very proud (over the national team selection, ed.). My father is English, but thinks it's cool that I have to play for Denmark, and he's just looking forward to visiting the country again. They come to all the matches and help me both on and off the field, also with the mental part. Having that support from home has made it possible to get to where I am today.

Now he can call himself a Danish U-national team player. But this is not the first time that Matt O'Riley is getting acquainted with Danish football. Earlier this year, he greeted one of his upcoming U-national team colleagues like years after their first meeting:

- I do not know so many players from the U21 national team, but I know Japhet Sery Larsen (U21 national team player and Bodø / Glimt player, ed.) From before. We talked together after the match against Bodø / Glimt, where he asked how it went, and there I said, among other things: "Yes, maybe see you soon."

- We changed jerseys after the match. I met him when I was 14 or 15 years old at a training camp in Denmark. It was the first time I met him, and then I have not seen him since the match against Bodø / Glimt. It was nice to see that he is doing well and at the same time could share the experience with him on a big European stage.


Celtic and Bodø / Glimt crossed blades in the Conference League's round of 16 finals. The Norwegian top club withdrew victoriously from the showdown.

I have chosen Denmark
As previously mentioned, Matt O'Riley has three different national team options. So how can it really be that the 21-year-old Celtic star has chosen Denmark?

- It has previously been a difficult question for me since I was born and raised in England, but on the other hand, my mother is Danish. I have family there, and I really like the country, so right now I lean most towards Denmark. Now I have been selected, and I will not say yes to that, if it is not because I am committed, he says and continues:

- Where I stand right now, I want to play for Denmark. There are also several reasons for this. I feel that DBU has been very accommodating and it has made me feel welcome. When I saw the European Championships this summer, I also liked Denmark and their unity with the nation. It made me even more passionate about it all.

After Tuesday's selection, Jesper Sørensen also emphasized that Matt O'Riley should be able to see himself representing Denmark.

- He asked me: "Matt, take your time, I know it's a big decision, but at the same time I also need an answer, as I am not interested in you changing your mind at the last minute, so I want to know , if you want to join? " I told him that it would make me really happy and honored to play for Denmark


Matt O'Riley has been on DBU's radar for a while, but it is only in recent months that Jesper Sørensen has opened his eyes to the English Celtic player in the Danish context:

- When I spoke to Jesper (Jesper Sørensen, ed.), He was not fully aware that I was available for Denmark. I do not think he was aware that I was half Danish. When he found out about October or November last year, he started keeping an eye on me. The switch to Celtic (in January, ed.) Was a step up and I have managed to play continuously there, which he has also looked at, says Matt O'Riley and continues.

- When I switched to Celtic, I knew there was a greater chance of playing for the national team. When I heard about the interest from Denmark, I thought it was mega cool. I had a really good gut feeling that this is the right thing for me.

Unlike the club team, Danish is spoken in the Danish national team squad. To the question about his Danish skills, Matt O'Riley answers in Danish: "I can speak a little Danish, but I find it easier to understand", before he continues in English.

- Sometimes, if I have to elaborate on things in Danish, then I may well lack words. But I'm sure that when I start practicing it again, it will come all by itself. When I was younger, I talked to my mother all the time. As I grew up, it became more natural to speak English.

At the national team camp, do you want to speak Danish?

- I want to do my best and maybe there will be some things that I do not quite understand, but then I have to shout out loud to understand what the coach and the team want me for. Maybe I will be a little nervous sometimes in relation to speaking Danish, but I think I will fit in nicely with the group.

On Tuesday 29 March, Matt O'Riley can make his debut for Denmark when they meet Belgium in a European Championship qualifier at MCH Arena. Belgium tops Group I with 18 points. Denmark is number two with nine points, however, they have two matches in hand.

 

Starting on the bench..

 

Looks like he came on in 70th minuet. Good little workout for him, should be well fresh for Sunday.

 

Hes made a good impression with the Danes. Manager was raving about him

 

The bhoy hates the huns so much that he chose Queen Margrethe II of Denmark over Old Liz.

 

Matt O’Riley has already won over the Celtic fans with a series of composed performances and Denmark Under-21 manager Jesper Sorensen reckons his country may have unearthed a diamond.

The 21-year-old joined the Hoops in January from MK Dons and has caught the eye for Ange Postecoglou’s league leaders.


Now O’Riley will aim to make his mark on the international stage after recently opting to switch his international allegiance from England to the Danish set-up - the country of his mother’s birth.


O’Riley played for the Three Lions at Under-16 and Under-18 level during his time at Fulham and MK Dons and Sorensen has issued a glowing report of the midfielder after his initial link-up with the Scandinavian country.


Speaking to The Herald, he said: “The purpose with the Under-21 side in Denmark is that all players should be able to make the step to the ‘A’ team, that’s what the overall purpose is for us.



“What we have seen from Matt right now is very good. Of course, I have players in my team and squad that are ahead of Matt, and players who could play with us and are already with the ‘A’ team, but we think he is promising.

“We cannot predict who is going to take the step to the next level, but right now he is in a very good position to take that next step up from the Under-21s.

“Of course, we play to get to the Under-21 Euros, and we would like to participate in that tournament, but why not?”

O’Riley might not possess electric pace but it is his technical qualities that have impressed Sorensen.






He added: “It doesn’t look as though he is impressively fast, and yet still he is playing at a very high level with Celtic and he is able to make an impact on the games and on his squad.



“That tells me that what he does well - the way he sees the game, his skillset, his left foot is at a very, very high level - is so good that he would otherwise not be able to play at that very high level.”

Sorensen reckons the youngster’s ability to adapt quickly to making the step up from League One in England to Celtic will aid his development, insisting Parkhead in the ideal place for him to improve various aspects of his game.

He stated: “For a young man, to be able to take steps as he has done in the last 15 months, I would not be the one to say where he can or cannot play.




I think the world is open for him, and it is up to him to make the best of it, that’s the way I see it.

“In my daily work, I experience a lot of young, promising players. Some of them take it even further than I thought they would, and others are not where I thought they would be in regards to the steps I thought they could take with their talent.


“I saw Celtic against FC Midtjylland at the start of the season, and right now it is a completely different team in my opinion, they are way better.

“Matt is playing regularly for Celtic at such a young age, and coming to the club and playing that early not as a star player.


“If Celtic buy a guy from Juventus then okay, he is going to play, but if they buy a young guy from MK Dons, you expect him to need a little time to get into the team, but that’s not the case here. He has made his mark immediately, and that is pretty impressive.

“To me, he definitely has strengths, and of course, there are sides to his game that are not that good, But it’s up to him to prove that he can take that next step and take it to the next level.

“He’s only 21, and I’m just looking forward to seeing him in games and in training sessions with us.”

It’s not the first time in his career O'Riley has been faced with a tough decision after previously rejecting a contract extension at Fulham to drop down the divisions with MK Dons in search of regular first-team action.




Sorensen believes that outlines what type of character O’Riley is.

He said: “He turned down an extension with Fulham just to go to MK Dons to play, he thought that was good for his development as a player, and I think that proves he is ambitious but also realistic.

“He thought ‘okay, I have to take one step down to take two or three steps up’, and that is actually what he has done.

“That’s a very good thing and that tells you a lot about a player.”

 

CELTIC midfielder Matt O’Riley has set his sights on breaking into the senior Denmark squad after making his debut for the Danish under-21s against Belgium on Tuesday night.

O’Riley came on with 20 minutes to go in the 1-1 draw against the Belgians, and despite passing up a couple of opportunities to score the winner, he impressed manager Jesper Sorensen and the Danish media with his performance.

It was a night the Celtic man says he will never forget, as he immediately set his sights on making more memories by earning a place in the full international squad.




My debut was nice,” O’Riley told Bold.dk.

“I might have been a little nervous before the match, but when I came in, it was just a normal football match. I also had some good chances where I could have scored a goal with a little luck.

“I think Belgium was a bit lucky because we actually played really well. We also had some great chances in the last 20 minutes, so it's a little annoying that we did not win, but it was still a good performance.


“It was my first match, so I will definitely have to take the jersey home and hang it in my room. It's something I'll remember all my life.




Now I am only 21 years old, so maybe there will be an A national team match, which I can also look back on.”

O’Riley has been trying to converse with his teammates in their native tongue in order to fit into the squad quickly, and conducted his post-match media duties in Danish too to underline his commitment to the country of his mother’s birth.

“It was cool to hear the national anthem,” he said. “There were probably not that many at the stadium, but it was still good. Maybe one day I can do it in a bigger stadium, it would be totally wild.

“I also sang along to the national anthem. There are probably some things that I do not know perfectly, so it's also something I have to learn. At least I'm trying. I do not want to be the one on the national team who does not bother to speak Danish, so I do my best


“When I come home to Scotland, I also speak Danish with my mother. My grandmother is also coming soon, so I will also speak Danish with her. So in a year or two my Danish can be almost perfect, that would be good.”

O’Riley, who could also have played for England or Norway at international level, is delighted to see how proud his decision to represent Denmark has made his family.

“It's been great for them,” he said. “I am Danish, but my family is pure Danish, so for them it is absolutely crazy that I am on the national team.”

 

Sounds like he impressed. Hopefully Sunday is the day he properly announces himself on the big stage, 20 yard screamer please.

Kids like Doak should be looking up to him. Perfect example of a young player who realized early on how important 1st team football is and the opportunities that will create further down the line. If Doak is as good as he thinks he is, he could be a starter by 18 with Forrest in decline and Abada likely to get a big move if he continues how he has done.

 

Sounds like the international window has been a real confidence booster for him so hopefully sets him up for a big performance on Sunday.

 

For me he has to start Sunday, he has so much technical ability but puts in a shift too. He was excellent the last time against them and has continued to be pretty good even when others form dropped.

 

Has to be O'Riley..

Same trio that tortured them last time..

 

Was a bit of a cruncher but felt he could've stayed on..

 

Hopefully just a knock.

Bit of breathing space to no need to risk him anyway.

 

Anyone seen an injury update?

 

Ange said he thinks he will be OK. He said he probably could have stayed on but didn't want to take the risk

 

I love Ange but I feel like that could honestly mean he's out for 6 months.

Did look like just a bit of a knock though.