Following Celtic’s victory over Rangers at Parkhead today, Matt O’Riley lauded team captain Callum McGregor and striker Daizen Maeda, affectionately labeling Maeda as a “robot.” Despite their success, O’Riley emphasized the room for improvement in their gameplay and the importance of staying focused.
The game saw O’Riley open the scoring in the first half with a goal set up by McGregor, followed by an own goal from Rangers’ John Lundstram off a Maeda cross. Although O’Riley missed a penalty in the second half, he remained upbeat about the victory that essentially secures Celtic’s third consecutive Premiership title, emphasized by their six-point lead with two matches left and a strong goal difference.
While pleased with the win, O’Riley acknowledged that both he and Celtic can do better, especially with the looming Scottish Cup final against Rangers. Looking ahead to their upcoming matches against Kilmarnock and St Mirren, O’Riley stressed the need to capitalize on scoring opportunities and maintain focus throughout the games.
Reflecting on his performance, O’Riley highlighted the importance of seizing chances and maintaining intensity from the start. Despite the win, he acknowledged the need to improve game management and ruthlessness in front of goal for future matches.
Optimistic about Celtic’s position in the league, O’Riley expressed relief at being in a strong position to secure the title. He also noted the positive atmosphere within the team and the lessons learned throughout the season, particularly in his ability to reset and improve game after game.
“I have been receptive to learning whether it was a positive or negative experience. Today, I will analyze the penalty closely to identify areas for improvement. The execution didn’t go as well as my practice session yesterday. Somehow, I found myself indecisive. This is a lesson I clearly need to learn from. Hopefully, in the future, I will be able to rectify that.
When questioned about the substantial delay before taking the penalty, he expressed his confusion, stating, “Honestly, I was quite perplexed because I felt the foul was evident. I was clipped, and it seemed pretty clear to me. I’m not sure if VAR attempted to change the decision, but it all felt rather odd. Missing a penalty is inexcusable, but the wait certainly didn’t help.”
Commenting on McGregor and Maeda’s performances, he commended McGregor, asserting, “In my opinion, Cal was our standout player. He consistently shines in these crucial games. This is when you rely on your captain to deliver his best, and he always comes through for us. We can count on him without fail. It’s invaluable to have him in our team.”
He also praised Maeda’s contribution, highlighting his impressive work ethic despite recent injury setbacks, noting, “Daizen’s performance was exceptional, considering his recent return from injury. He has recovered faster than most would, almost like a machine. His dedication is truly commendable.”
