Friendly feel has been key to our success insists O’Riley
AMID the celebratory scenes that unfolded after the final whistle at Tannadice, a little vignette played out in one corner of the park. Dribbling with a beach ball, Jota looked over his shoulder to find Josip Juranovic wearing a smile as wide as the silvery Tay and threatening to take it off him.
The playful exchange between Portuguese and Croat was typical of those seen on the night and throughout the many moments of triumph Celtic have enjoyed this season.
It might well have involved players from Australia, Japan or Greece, from Sweden, Israel or Scotland. Matt O’Riley, born in England and now a Denmark Under-21 international, can attest to the bonhomie that exists among the mixing pot of nationalities assembled by Ange Postecoglou. It may have been particularly conspicuous on the night the league was finally won, but the midfielder has sensed it in the air since he first signed from MK Dons in January.
‘We’re just good mates at the end of the day,’ said the 21-year-old. ‘In all the best teams you need to have that relationship with each other. I don’t think there’s one player who doesn’t get on with anyone else, which is quite unique.
‘That’s down to recruitment as well — bringing in not only good players but good people. It takes the tension away. If you have a lot of ego in the team, then sometimes that translates on the pitch. We are genuinely in it as one, even the ones who aren’t in the squad. It’s a collective effort.’
This culture is dictated by those at the top. When Postecoglou selected Callum McGregor to be his captain last summer, he spoke more of the Scot’s values as a person than what he could do with a ball at his feet. Any inhibitions O’Riley harboured upon moving to Scotland were removed in pretty much the time it took to shake McGregor’s hand.
‘I can’t speak highly enough of him,’ he said. ‘On my first day here he was the first one to welcome me, he came up to me and really made me feel part of the club.
‘If it’s in training, he’s always setting the standards. He’s always one of the top three trainers and is usually one of the top three performers in every game. That says enough. The consistency he’s shown throughout the season shows how good a player and how good a person he is.’
While Nir Bitton has normally deputised for McGregor, Joe Hart has not required an armband to demonstrate his leadership qualities. With 75 caps for England and having won every domestic honour in the game with Manchester City, the keeper would be forgiven for having an inflated sense of his worth. Yet, in keeping with the squad at large, O’Riley has found Hart to be disarmingly modest.
‘He’s also the nicest guy around, which is cool because he’s got this massive pedigree and status,’ added O’Riley. ‘You could have a lot of ego if you were that kind of guy but he’s the complete opposite. He’s one of the most down-to-earth guys you could meet. You could chat to him about anything. On the pitch we know how good he is.’
The same might be said of O’Riley. Two years after turning down a new contract with Fulham, the Premiership title is vindication. His £1.5million switch from MK Dons already looks to be an outrageous piece of business. No one now questions the wisdom of him taking such a gamble on his future.
‘I had belief in my own ability,’ he recalled. ‘It didn’t feel right for me to stay. I felt it was the right decision to pursue other options and to take matters into my own hands. It’s worked out well in the end.’
Come full-time tomorrow, he’ll be on the winner’s podium for the first time in his career. ‘It feels pretty good,’ he smiled.
‘It’s pretty surreal as it’s my first title. Being part of a club like this is just really cool and I’m really grateful for that. I can enjoy it now. It means everything. It’s what football is about, isn’t it?’
For Celtic fans, the misery of last season is ancient history. If Postecoglou can deliver the title and the League Cup with one hand tied behind his back, anything is possible next season.
The prospect of returning to the Champions League brings kudos but also the finance required to fund the upgrades the manager has in mind.
‘This is the start of something,’ predicted O’Riley. ‘Next year we should hopefully progress even more. I’m sure they will be looking to bring in even stronger players now we’re in the Champions League.’