O’Riley: Get it spot on with Hoops in Europe and I can be next Danish star in Qatar
MATT O’RILEY reckons his World Cup dream remains alive and kicking after starring for the Danish Under-21s in midweek.
Now the Celtic midfielder is setting his sights on using the Champions League to showcase his talents sufficiently to break into Denmark’s full squad for Qatar next month.
O’Riley scored in the 2-1 win over Croatia, although the Danish kids lost out on the Under-21 Euros on penalties.
But the former MK Dons player did his chances of promotion no harm.
He said: “It was nice to score. It was quite a long trip so I’m happy to be back at Celtic. It was enjoyable but unfortunately we didn’t qualify in the end as a result of penalties. That was a bit frustrating but other than that it was a decent trip.
“I felt I performed pretty well overall, especially the Croatia game which was my kind of performance in terms of how I affected the game, on the ball especially.
“Hopefully I bring that into our game on Saturday. I don’t
think I did my chances of making the A squad for Qatar any harm.
“I always try to affect games and hopefully I can keep doing that here.
“I’m sure it helped somewhat but at the same time I can’t really think about it too much or it’s going to distract me from what I need to do.
“I spoke with the 21s manager just before I left and he basically said keep going and pushing because I’m pretty close in terms of making the squad. I haven’t made it but I’ve got a chance.
“‘I’ve just got to keep doing well at Celtic and see what happens. There’s a chance.
“I’m at a big club and we’re playing in the Champions League so you’d think that if I continue to do well there will be a chance. We’ll see. I’m not 100 per cent sure. Whatever happens, I’ll still be a fan.”
Of more pressing concern to O’Riley is the need to respond to defeat against St Mirren last time out by beating Motherwell today.
He said: “We’ve had to sit on it for a couple of weeks, here at the training ground and all the fans. It was a frustrating day but you’ve got to earn the right to win every match.
“When you don’t lose a game in 364 days or whatever, there’s naturally this expectation where you’re never going to lose.
“It was our first in a long time but we’re in a good place. As long as we react and get back on track, it’s not a problem.”