EXIT COULD HELP US IN TREBLE BID

Hibernian Celtic noon

MATT O’RILEY says Celtic’s third Euro exit of the season isn’t a disaster because it will aid their bid for a domestic Treble.

The Hoops crashed out of the Europa Conference League on Thursday night after a 5-1 aggregate loss to Norwegian outfit Bodo/Glimt.

Ange Postecoglou’s men had already been eliminated from both the Champions League and Europa League this term.

But O’Riley (above), who joined the club in January from MK Dons, insists the players aren’t downbeat.

Instead, he’s convinced that with the Premiership title and Scottish Cup to focus on, they can do a clean sweep of silverware in Scotland. O’Riley said: “It will help us and that has to be the focus for us now. We’ve got the league and the Scottish Cup to concentrate on.

“We want to win both of them and we feel like we can. The mood is still good in the camp. We’re disappointed about Thursday night but it gives us more of a chance to focus on the league.

“A lot of people outside, like the fans, won’t feel this is the end of the world because we can concentrate on the league and Scottish Cup.

“The title is definitely there for us and it’s our intention to win it.

“It’s still early days, there’s lots of football to be played. But we’re feeling good and ready to push on now.

“There are lots of important games coming up so we’ll focus on them and see where it can take us.”

O’Riley arrived for £1.5million in January and has impressed in flashes for Postecoglou’s (inset) men.

Celtic are three points clear of champions Rangers in the Premiership table going into today’s clash with Hibs at Easter Road.

And the 21-year-old, who is on the verge of a Denmark call-up, says he’s thriving in the intensity of the Old Firm.

O’Riley added: “The pressure is obviously different here but I’m enjoying it more. This is where I want to be. I’d rather be playing under pressure every week because it makes you play better. It makes you perform.”