Everything that Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley said to the media after the trip to Australia...

Do you feel that you need a break?

I wouldn’t say I need one but I think it will still be beneficial. We’ve had so many games in such a short period. I’ve also played quite a lot. So to be able to shut down the system, and completely rest for a week or so will be good. In the summer I got about two weeks off and I really felt that just one week of switching off and relaxing your body can help you come back really flying. So that will be my aim.

Is it mentally exhausting for you considering there has been so much going on with you personally?

Definitely and even with the travel involved in playing in the Champions League. Personally, that was something new. You’ve just got to adjust to it, that’s how football works. I think we dealt with it well. We’ve managed games that were tough and we’ve come back from difficult positions also playing against Everton was another good test for us.

Can you believe that you have now played in the Champions League when a year ago you were plying your trade in League One?

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.

Has the trip to Australia been a serious eye-opener for you about the sheer size of Celtic as a club?

Every new experience is an eye-opener. Even just our support for the Everton game was crazy. Compared to Everton, we were a lot louder. We showed that we have very dedicated fans. I spoke to a few Australian fans at the beach the other day and they said they get up at three in the morning to watch all of our games. That just shows how big our club is.

Celtic Way:

When you're going for honours back home and you are playing in the big games will you be thinking about that now?

For sure. I know it was a friendly against Everton but we still wanted to win the game because there are so many fans supporting us.

How will you guard against any complacency in the league or is it simply a case that the manager will not allow it?

No chance, it’s not going to happen. We lost the game the other night and we also probably didn’t play the way we wanted to either. So I think the consistency and mentality have to be the same every game, regardless of it being friendly matches. So when you transition into a league game, then you’re going to keep that form and momentum.

You were six or seven points behind at this stage last season now you are nine points ahead - that is a commanding lead at this point, isn't it?

We are aware it’s a good position to be in. We’re aware of the table but at the same time, we’re not really looking at it. We’re just focusing on our own stuff every day. That sounds like a boring answer, I know. But it’s true. There’s a process to it and if we keep following that then I’m sure we will be in a good place.

Is there a mentality at Celtic that you are not going to give an inch when you return to league action?

That’s our intention. 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.

READ MORE FROM THIS AUTHOR