Why Matt O'Riley is the perfect Celtic poster boy for Ange Postecoglou

Sometimes, just sometimes, you can hear Celtic manager Ange Postecoglou's words and thoughts echoed by his players.

Take Hoops midfielder Matt O'Riley for example. The 22-year-old addressed the media in the aftermath of the recent tour of Australia and was asked how this team - currently nine points ahead of Rangers in the Premiership title race - would guard against any complacency in the league.

O'Riley's answer could have come straight out of the Aussie bosses' managerial speak manual.

"No chance, it’s not going to happen," he said. "I think we can still improve on the level we’ve been showing. I know we’ve won all of the games before the break but I think we can still be more convincing in the way we win.

"I think we can be more consistent with all of our performances and all of our details. Especially if we want the Champions League next season, we’re going to need to be consistently playing at a high level and when you transition you’re going to have to be ready for it.

"At a club like this, you’ve got to be pushing the levels consistently. With the squad we’ve got, the staff, the manager, we’re going to be in a good position to really challenge at the highest level."

Compare and contrast this to Postecoglou's answer to the question of whether Celtic are now acting like a big club in terms of their transfer dealings. He said, essentially, that they were in a constant state of evolvement.

"It has to be the way," the manager added. "I think that’s what the club has always strived to be. I get the sense that sometimes you get distracted by other things but the goal for us should always be to be stronger every year and bridge the gap with the teams we want to compete with. You have to do that in all areas."

That got yours truly thinking of how Celtic and O'Riley are existing in tandem. Both entities are evolving together.

O'Riley has got the memo. He is on message at all times. His answer proved once and for all that he possessed that rarest of things: an old head on young shoulders.

It's easy to understand why the Dane has become something of a poster boy for Postecoglou's no-holds-barred Celtic vision in terms of attitude and ability, not to mention the team's ruthlessness and relentlessness.

Domestically Celtic have been imperious but not perfect. There is certainly no disgrace in that at all though. The Hoops have won an incredible 16 out of 17 domestic games this season with the only blip being the 2-0 league loss to St Mirren in Paisley back in September.

The former MK Dons midfielder has become an even more pivotal player for Postecoglou since the loss of captain Callum McGregor to injury. The 57-year-old made O'Riley his go-to guy to fill the void left by the inspirational skipper.

Yet O'Riley's recent comments smack of a player who, akin to his manager, is already striving for more.

Perfection? You better believe it. You get the feeling that deep down that loss to the Buddies still irks all of the Hoops squad as well as the boss. It certainly annoyed O'Riley.

"Improve on the levels we've been showing, we can still be more convincing in the way we win..."

If you close your eyes you can almost picture Postecoglou uttering those words - but it was O'Riley. They will surely be sweet music to the ears of the Aussie though because 'we never stop' at Celtic, remember?

His team's consistency levels are off the charts in Scottish football yet such is the measure of the high standard and demands set by Postecoglou that the St Mirren result - not to mention friendly defeats to Everton and Sydney FC - are all looked upon as ones that got away.

O’Riley himself has gone from plying his trade in EFL League One in January to the Champions League this season as well as coming within a whisker of turning out for Denmark in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He's taken it all in his stride. Asked about the magnitude of his journey and playing in the Champions League at just 21 years of age elicited this response: "Listen, it was cool. I’ve got my head around it all now.

"In the first game in the Champions League, I was probably a little nervous but as I got more experience it was positive. Then there’s also the environment, generally, with Celtic. It’s massive. It affects your general well-being.

"I feel comfortable in my environment now and I’m enjoying it. I’m looking forward to going again after the break, for sure."

Playing at the top level of European club football was... cool. Cool? Fair play, Matty boy. Talk about unflappable. Life O'Riley? No chance.

Up the ante, up the stakes and crank up the pressure. That's the way O'Riley craves it - and likes it.

A cool, calm and collected customer at all times as well as hitting all the right notes both on and off the park.

If O'Riley reminds you of someone else gainfully employed at Celtic - in a more exalted position - it's not a coincidence.

This piece is an extract from today’s Celtic Digest newsletter, which is emailed out every weekday evening with a round-up of the day's top stories and exclusive analysis from The Celtic Way team.

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