The exclusion of Matt O’Riley from the Denmark Euro 2024 squad has left Celtic supporters scratching their heads this week.
A standout performer for the green and white Hoops both domestically and in Europe under Brendan Rodgers, the 23-year-old midfielder has been in stellar form this season. His impressive displays have sparked a flurry of transfer rumors linking him to clubs in England, Spain, and Germany.
Kasper Hjulmand’s decision to overlook O’Riley for the Euros in Germany has drawn sharp criticism from both the Danish media and former international Denmark midfielder Thomas Gravesen. Gravesen conveyed that O’Riley had earned his spot in the national squad.
Prior to finalizing his squad, Hjulmand seemed to suggest that the quality of Scottish football paled in comparison to other nations, a statement that did not sit well with former Hibs, Dundee, and Morton manager Jim Duffy.
Duffy, known for his straightforward approach as a player and manager, has now transitioned into the realm of punditry. In response to Hjulmand’s remarks about O’Riley, the 65-year-old pundit had a few choice words for the Danish coach.
“I’ve heard this argument before about players preferring leagues that could boost their international prospects. While I don’t want to claim I know more than the Danish national manager, it all comes down to differing opinions,” Duffy expressed on [Superscoreboard].
“In my view, you should evaluate a player based on their talent, not the league they play in. O’Riley has showcased his abilities consistently in Scotland—a fiercely competitive league. Judging him solely on his attributes should be the defining factor in selection,” he continued.
“If you believe his skill set is a fit for your team, then include him. If not, and you still see more potential in someone like Christian Eriksen, then that’s a fair call. However, using the league as a justification feels like a lazy excuse to me. Managers may catch a glimpse of a game here and there, but they don’t witness the day-in, day-out challenges of playing for Celtic or the weight of expectations,” Duffy elaborated.
“This isn’t the first instance where a national team coach has dismissed a Celtic player using the Scottish league as a scapegoat. The scenario with Japan’s Hajime Moriyasu choosing Daizen Maeda over Kyogo Furuhashi due to perceptions about Scottish football comes to mind,” he concluded.I concur with Jim Duffy’s stance. The argument that Scottish football hinders players’ international success is outdated and unsupported. Examples like Henrik Larsson, Callum McGregor, and Daizen Maeda thriving on the international stage after playing in Scotland debunk this notion.