Former Celtic favourite Matt O’Riley’s move to Marseille raised plenty of eyebrows when it was completed.
Only 18 months earlier, the midfielder had become Celtic’s record departure after leaving Brendan Rodgers’ side for Brighton in a deal that could reach £30 million. His time in England never truly settled, though, after a brutal early challenge just minutes into his Brighton debut disrupted his momentum.
O’Riley started the Seagulls’ opening two Premier League fixtures of the campaign, but his situation changed quickly. On deadline day of the most recent transfer window, he joined Marseille on loan in search of regular football.
His spell in France has been mixed, reflecting Marseille’s inconsistent assessment of his role in the squad.
Marseille decide to keep O’Riley
Marseille currently sit third in Ligue 1, trailing Paris Saint-Germain and Lens. O’Riley recently endured a difficult moment when he missed a penalty against PSG in the Trophee des Champions shootout.
At present, he is not a regular starter under Roberto De Zerbi, often operating behind Geoffrey Kondogbia and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the pecking order. Earlier in the season, La Provence reported that Marseille’s hierarchy had discussed the possibility of ending his loan prematurely, questioning whether his style suited their needs.
However, Get French Football News now claim the club intend to retain O’Riley until the end of the campaign. The report suggests Marseille see the situation as a matter of tactical profile rather than poor performances. Club officials are said to view him as a similar type of midfielder to Adrien Rabiot, a player Celtic supporters will remember from his standout display for PSG at Parkhead in 2017.
Back in England, Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler has made it clear that O’Riley still features in his long-term thinking, despite allowing him to leave on loan. As a result, any hopes among Celtic fans of a swift return to Glasgow may have to be put on hold.
De Zerbi praise for O’Riley
De Zerbi was familiar with O’Riley from his time in Scotland and spoke warmly about him after the loan move was completed. Reflecting on his performances in France, the Marseille coach highlighted the midfielder’s intelligence and work rate, pointing to his strong displays at both Celtic and Brighton.
He described O’Riley as a serious professional who understands the game well, noting that he attracts interest from clubs competing at the highest level. De Zerbi also praised his energy, discipline and ability to do the basics properly, adding that he has developed a good understanding with fellow Dane Hojbjerg.