Fully deserved, brilliant for him- Ange full on for new bhoys international call

Ange Postecoglou is backing Matt O’Riley to reap the rewards of his international involvement. 

The Celtic midfielder represented England at u-16 and u-18 level but is now with the Danish u-21 squad with a place in their World Cup squad later this year the target. 

Moving from MK Dons in League One to a place in the World Cup Finals would be an incredible achievement but one that Postecoglou believes is possible. 

After two months at Celtic the midfielder’s career is certainly moving in the right direction with his club boss looking to pick up on the benefits of international involvement. 

Discussing O’Riley with the Daily Record, Postecoglou said: 

International football will be great for him. It will add to him as a player and as a person, experiencing a different environment, even training with different types of players. 

It will be brilliant for him. I’ve said before, I think international football is great for players, especially young players, and I’m sure he’ll take a lot from it. 

I think it’s fully deserved as well. He was great before he came to us but since he came here he’s handled himself really well, particularly in big games. I’m sure in the back of his mind he’ll be thinking there’s a World Cup at the end of the year. 

It’s a big incentive for him. That’s what international football gives to players. Whether or not that comes too soon for him, who knows, but I’m sure he’ll do everything in his power. 

On Tuesday Denmark host Belgium in an u-21 European Championship qualifier with Scotland, Turkey and Kazakhstan also in the group. 

O’Riley shouldn’t have any travel issues getting back to Scotland on Wednesday to begin preparations for the Glasgow derby, with Tom Rogic an injury doubt the former MK Dons man could well be in Celtic’s starting XI at Ibrox.