Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley has stood out for the Bhoys this campaign. The 23-year-old has taken his game to a new level under Brendan Rodgers.

Throughout his time in Glasgow, O’Riley has shown he can hold his own. This is something he was doing as a youngster, though.

Dan Micchie coached O’Riley at youth level, where he played alongside players who are now at some colossal Premier League clubs. Micchie said (The Herald via Football Scotland): “When I had Matt at under-16 level with England these youngsters all have potential. Fulfilling that potential is another thing altogether. In our England group, he was alongside the likes of Jayden Sancho and Phil Foden and he more than held his own in that exalted company.”

It seems to have been clear from when he was young that O’Riley had high potential. Of course, he switched international allegiances to go on and play for Denmark although he was among the best for his age with England.

Indeed Micchie claimed he stood out on certain occasions. He said: “I remember a game Matt played against Holland in France and he was absolutely exceptional. He was in the midfield alongside Oliver Skipp who is at Tottenham now as well as Callum Hudson-Odoi. Foden was on the right and Sancho was on the left and Matt controlled the game.”

The experience of playing among the best for his age as a teen will have been hugely beneficial for O’Riley. He did have a slow start to his senior career compared to players such as Foden and Sancho, but he is more than on his way now.

The midfielder regularly stands out at Champions League level. O’Riley is a cut above most other players in Scotland and despite signing a new contract over the summer, one imagines it won’t be long before the 23-year-old could be tempted elsewhere.