Matt O’Riley’s father reveals how Ange convinced him to join Celtic

Matt O’Riley joined Celtic in the January transfer window, after enjoying an impressive first half of the campaign at MK Dons. Of course, it must not have been an easy choice for the midfielder, leaving the League One club, where he was a regular and moving to Parkhead, where there was going to be significant competition in the middle of the park. Till now, it looks like it was the right choice.

O’Riley has come into the Celtic team and has looked like he belongs. In fact, he might possibly even be a bit ahead of Tom Rogic in the pecking order right now. The Australian was incredible for the majority of the season but has struggled for form in recent months.

It looks like Ange Postecoglou had a major part in convincing the former MK Dons star to move to Celtic, in a chat that took place before the transfer.

As reported by 67 Hail Hail, O’Riley’s father told The Athletic:

"“Before signing, Matt said, ‘I’m going to have a chat with the manager first’.“He had a list of questions and then came out five minutes later and said ‘Yep, I’m going. I just know. He answered every question before I asked it’. He’s so happy about it.”"

Postecoglou chat convinced O’Riley to join Celtic

It does not look like O’Riley has been at Celtic for less than two months. He has already integrated into the team and looks like he will be a big part of this club for years to come.

Coming through the youth ranks at Fulham, he was one of their most highly-rated youngsters. But he took the decision to move to MK Dons early on in his career in order to help with his development in the senior game, and it is safe to say that it has paid off.

Interestingly, it does not look like he was Celtic’s first-choice this January and the club had been heavily linked with Australian international, Riley McGree, at first. But he would end up joining Middlesbrough instead. Looking back though, it does feel like it has worked out quite well for the Hoops.