Matt O’Riley was unwavering in his conviction that Jack Butland would make a dive, which gave him the audacity to execute a Panenka against Rangers in the recent derby clash. With nerves of steel, the Celtic midfielder calmly chipped his penalty down the middle, resulting in a 3-3 draw. While such daring attempts can either garner praise or invite criticism, O’Riley remained resolute in his decision to go for it in a high-stakes game.

O’Riley maintained that he had a strong feeling that the Rangers goalkeeper would commit to a dive, allowing him to safely place the ball in the center of the goal. Reflecting on the moment, he acknowledged that the outcome could have been drastically different if he had missed but credited his clear-headedness for aiding his successful execution.

The PFA Player of the Year nominee disclosed, “I had made up my mind to do that from the start. I was quite sure Jack Butland would dive, and luckily he did. Had he not done so, the narrative would have been entirely different. I believe that the more distractions you have in your mind, the less beneficial it is.”

He emphasized the importance of focusing on Celtic’s objectives to fulfill his responsibilities to the club, highlighting that his potential inclusion in the Euros squad hinges on his performance for the team. O’Riley adopted a day-by-day approach, concentrating on his tasks at Celtic and tuning out external distractions.

As the title race intensifies, O’Riley thrives under the pressure and notices a similar passion in manager Brendan Rodgers. Acknowledging Rodgers’ evident enthusiasm for the title challenge, O’Riley expressed, “You can see that he relishes it. We share that sentiment as well. The competition becomes more exciting when it’s neck and neck. While I understand the desire for an easy 12-point lead from the fans’ perspective, the close race ignites a higher level of determination and passion in all involved.”