Matt O’Riley came into Celtic towards the end of January and seamlessly fit in. The former MK Dons midfielder was signed after Ange failed in his pursuit of Riley McGree who chose to go to Championship side Middlesbrough instead of the Glasgow giants.
Matt has shown plenty in his first six months at the club. His contributions helped Celtic win the SPFL title, which in turn meant automatic qualification for the Champions League.
When Ange Postecoglou recruits players, it’s not just enough to be a talent on the pitch, the Australian wants to make sure their personality fits into his squad.
You can have all the talent in the world but if he sees players out for themselves, he knows they’re of no use to him and what he’s building at the club.
O’Riley has brilliantly highlighted the mood at Celtic by letting supporters know he’s made some great friends in the dressing room.
“When Ange speaks you listen. Everybody does, regardless of whoever you are. [SunSport]
“Regardless of how old or young you are, when he says something you stop what you’re doing. That’s what he’s really good at.
“He just commands respect from everyone. He does have a joke around at times and it’s nice to see him when he does bring that side out.
“It just shows sometimes we can just breathe! As much as I say Ange doesn’t speak to people that much, he’s sort of got a culture at Celtic where us as players and the rest of the staff have it very easy to speak to each other.
“If it doesn’t do that then he’s always very quick to rectify it, which is what makes him very good.
“It separates us from quite a few others because he’s very switched on.
“We always say as players depending on the game or the situation or the time, he always seems to say the things you want to hear.
“He’s installed that structure within so he overviews the whole thing and makes sure it’s ticking as it should.
“If it doesn’t do that then he’s always very quick to rectify it, which is what makes him very good.
“It separates us from quite a few others because he’s very switched on.
“We always say as players depending on the game or the situation or the time, he always seems to say the things you want to hear.
“That’s something I like very much. The people he’s set up around the club made it easy for me to settle.
“I genuinely felt at home within three days. Genuinely.
“The first day you’re a bit nervous but I’d already started my first game after something like two days.
“That helps, when you’re thrown into the event and if you do well you earn respect from other people.
“I’ve already genuinely got a few of my best mates at the club, which is pretty cool.
“I hang around with Carl, Anthony Ralston, Josip. But then again I honestly probably hang out with half the team, which shows enough about our culture.
“There are guys like Liel Abada and everyone is very approachable.
“Even if we have a rare night out together as a team, everyone is there and you can speak to anyone, which I think is quite unique in this day and age.
“There’s usually quite a lot of cliques but at Celtic I feel like I could be sat at a dinner table with any of them and have a good time, which is cool.
You could see the players fighting for each other on the field towards the end of the season.
Callum McGregor has played a huge part in bringing this group together in pursuit of silverware.
Celtic went from a rebuild season to champions. Ange turned a toxic Lennoxtown atmosphere from the lockdown season into what we see now. Players and people who will fight for each other on the field. It’s brilliant to see.
