Kasper Hjulmand’s choice to exclude Celtic standout Matt O’Riley from his EURO 2024 squad received an endorsement from Nicklas Bendtner, as reported by Tipsbladet. Bendtner defended the decision, asserting that O’Riley’s absence was justified, despite widespread questioning.

O’Riley’s unexpected omission from the Denmark squad for the upcoming tournament was a result of Hjulmand favoring seasoned players who have previous experience under him, such as Christian Eriksen. This move stirred up controversy and sparked inquiries back in Denmark, with Thomas Gravesen publicly criticizing the decision not to prioritize younger talents like O’Riley, who, at 23, represents a promising prospect.

Having excelled for Celtic since his arrival from MK Dons in January 2022 for €1.8m, O’Riley boasted an impressive record of 121 appearances, 27 goals, and 34 assists, clinching titles in Scotland and competing in the Champions League. However, these achievements were insufficient to persuade the national team selectors, particularly Hjulmand, to include him in the squad.

In defense of the exclusion, Bendtner pointed out that the selected players possessed superior skills compared to O’Riley, justifying the decision based on the chances of the Celtic star getting significant playing time. Bendtner acknowledged O’Riley’s talent and potential for the future, expressing confidence in his eventual call-up to the national team.

Moreover, Bendtner hinted that O’Riley’s development in the Scottish Premiership may not have adequately prepared him for the international stage. He hinted at the league’s limitations by describing it as “small.”