Sport nationMatt O’Riley Opens Up on Celtic Experience: “Pressures of Playing at Celtic Are Unimaginable”
Matt O’Riley, Brighton’s £25m midfielder, has offered a candid insight into his time at Celtic, highlighting the unparalleled pressures of playing for the Scottish giants.
In an appearance on Brighton’s official podcast, hosted by Paul Hayward and Glenn Murray, O’Riley reflected on his two-and-a-half seasons at Parkhead. When asked about his Celtic experience, he provided a thoughtful response.
“Respectfully, the pressures of playing at Celtic are for most people unimaginable,” O’Riley said. “It is not easy to win every game of football regardless of who you are playing against. If you have 11 men behind the ball who are well-organised sometimes it is difficult to score. The longer the game goes on, the anxiety builds up in the crowd. And you just need to learn to be able to accept that but also just somehow block it out and stay focused.”
O’Riley’s comments underscore the unique demands of playing for Celtic, where expectation and scrutiny are intensively high. He acknowledged the mental and physical toll of consistently performing under such pressure.
“To do that every single game is really tiring, you know – mentally and physically – to sustain it as well,” O’Riley continued. “Anyone who is able to play at Celtic for a long time, like James Forrest and Callum McGregor, to have that kind of relentless mentality … it is genuinely tiring. I have so much respect for them to do it over and over again, 60 games a season.”
O’Riley’s time at Celtic, where he joined from MK Dons for £1.5m, was marked by significant growth and success. His transfer to Brighton has been hindered by injury, but his recent winner against Manchester City signals a promising return to form.
The midfielder’s comments provide a nuanced perspective on the challenges and rewards of playing for Celtic, highlighting the club’s distinct culture and expectations.
Key Points:
- Matt O’Riley shares insights on playing for Celtic
- Describes pressures of playing for Celtic as “unimaginable”
- Describes mental and physical toll of consistent performance
- Praises James Forrest and Callum McGregor’s longevity
- Reflects on his growth and success during Celtic stint
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