Hughes reckons Celtic's O'Riley is like McStay and Collins

Hughes knows a midfielder when he sees one. That's why the 59-year-old believes the Celtic's gifted midfield technician has the football world at his feet because he has believed in himself throughout his career.

Hughes said: "I have loved Matt O'Riley ever since I heard that he knocked back a three-year deal with Fulham to sign for MK Dons to play regular football. I love that story. I love players who put great faith in themselves and leave it all out there. Now O'Riley's football career is all in front of him both at the club and international levels. He deserves everything he gets.

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"When he first came to Celtic everybody was saying let's give this guy a chance and he has just blossomed. O'Riley has everything going for him. He is six feet two and is a very talented footballer. He has added goals to his game and he can see a pass because he possesses great vision. He gets up and down the pitch. What more do you want? In terms of recruitment, the £1.5 million Celtic forked out to MK Dons for his services is one of the best pieces of business the club have conducted in recent times. When a top Spanish club like Atletico Madrid were willing to fork out millions in January to sign you then you know you are on the right lines and doing something right.

"Matt seems perfectly happy at Celtic as he is his own man and he enjoys working with Brendan Rodgers. He still has a lot to learn and he is in the best and most capable hands with the current Celtic manager. I look at O'Riley and I think he is a proper footballer. He has got it all. He is only 23 and you get the feeling that he appreciates what Celtic have done for him. He made a massive decision when he was at Fulham to sign for MK Dons but he gambled on himself and it was a bet that has paid handsome dividends and worked out well for him. He is now at Celtic where he has grown into that jersey and has become one of the main men at the club. His teammates will appreciate him greatly.

"I remember putting on a community coaching session for Celtic and some of the first team players came along. O'Riley was there and he was such a humble and lovely guy. He conducted himself with real dignity. You can tell he is the kind of player who alongside the likes of Callum McGregor and Joe Hart has set the standards at a football club like Celtic. You just look at players sometimes and you know they have got a real chance. He has his head screwed on which tells me he is going places but I hope he stays at Celtic for the next couple of seasons and work with Brendan and then inevitably the right time will come along for him to move on.

"He is winning silverware and picking up that habit of being a winner which will stand him in good stead throughout his playing days. He still has massive strides to take in his career but I hope he stays at Celtic for a wee while longer yet."

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Yogi admits that the PFA Scotland Player of the Year nominee would not look out of place in the exalted company of McStay and Collins. He is adamant that O'Riley is cut from the same green and white cloth as his former teammates as the Danish international also knows how to protect the football, caress a football and handle any situation that arises in a match. He readily admits that he panics whenever O'Riley's name is missing from Celtic's starting eleven. Hughes said: "I had no qualms about rolling the ball into either McStay or Collins even when there was a player up their arse.

"They would deal with it. McStay and Collins would shout at me to give them the ball and not to worry if there was a man right behind them. They always took a pass and made something happen. If I was still playing as a defender I would do the same with O'Riley as I did with McStay and Collins. I would give him the ball as often as I could as he would look after it and take care of the rest.

"I can see the Collins comparison for definite. He reminds me of Collins. They are both classy and elegant footballers. O'Riley can orchestrate a game like McStay and Collins. He can play in the number six role as well. He is a left-footed player and you cannot take these kinds of players for granted. If he reaches the levels of McStay and Collins then what a wonderful career he will go on to have. McStay and Collins loved the game and O'Riley strikes me as a player who loves everything about football and being a footballer.

"He's got a bit of the Ryan Christie about him too as he can go back on you when he is not looking and nutmeg you on the other side before playing the pass. Christie could also see the pass and he could score goals too. When Celtic played Buckie Thistle in the Scottish Cup and the ball was in the air and he did this back hitch-kick inside the full-back and I was purring. It was a sensational piece of skill. He could hold his own with no problem in the company of a McStay or a Collins.

"I am not surprised that he has been nominated for the Player of the Year award. If you look at Celtic now and O'Riley's name is not on the teamsheet you are worried. That's the highest accolade I could bestow on him right now as that is how important a player O'Riley is to Celtic."

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However, the penny-drop moment for Hughes occurred in the 3-3 draw at Ibrox earlier this month when O'Riley dared to dink fellow PFA Scotland Player of the Year Rangers goalkeeper Jack Butland from the penalty spot Panenka style in the derby of all games in front of 50,000 partisan supporters. Hughes knew in that instant that O'Riley had ice in his veins. He said: "Who would have the audacity and the balls to dink a goalkeeper from the penalty spot in a derby at Ibrox?

"Jack Butland has had a great season for Rangers yet O'Riley showed he had the cojones to do something like that. He's also shown he had the cojones to play for Celtic and play football the Celtic Way. He didn't do it in a way that was taking the piss either. I read that he had studied Butland's movement and knew he would dive. So he clearly did his homework and it wasn't showboating as he knew exactly what he was doing. 

"I have to say I was calling him for everything when he did the Panenka-style penalty! I tip my hat to him for doing that. It all comes down to a player having that great belief in himself. That is a man who knows his mind and he is only going to get better."

Although Hughes urged O'Riley to pick the right club when he finally decides to call it quits in Paradise. He said: "When O'Riley leaves Celtic he'll need to go to a club that plays a game approaching total football. He'll get lost in the game if he doesn't.

"He needs to sign for a team where he will be on the ball constantly, is playing passes, scoring goals and being involved all the time. O'Riley will have to sign for a club that suits his style of play in the same way that Celtic has."

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Hughes wouldn't dream of telling Danish boss Kasper Hjulmand who to include in his final Danish squad for the Euros. The former Falkirk, Hibs and Inverness manager is of the firm belief that O'Riley should be one of the first names on the plane bound for Germany this summer.

Hughes said: "Being in and around the full Denmark international set-up will be bringing on O'Riley's game no end. In my opinion, he is an absolute certainty to be representing Denmark at Euro 2024."

Sometimes on the pitch, it's O'Riley's ball and we all just crave a kick. The same was once said of McStay and Collins. They didn't do too badly in their careers. It's safe to say O'Riley is well on his way to reaching the top of the football tree. One thing is for certain O'Riley won't be plagued by any self-doubts on the climb up.