Former Celtic and Denmark star Marc Rieper is puzzled about the decision not to select Matt O’Riley for the upcoming EURO 2024 tournament.
Danish national team boss Kasper Hjulmand did not include the Bhoys player of the year in his 26-man squad despite giving senior caps to the midfielder in the 2023/24 season.
O’Riley will undoubtedly be disappointed with the decision. Many Denmark pundits and supporters appear to be also.
Thomas Gravesen spoke out in the immediate aftermath of the squad announcement. Now another Dane who starred for the Bhoys has had his say.
Rieper reckons O’Riley did enough to earn a selection and reckons only Hjulmand’s loyalty to established players has stood in his way.
Rieper would have loved to see Celtic star at Euros
The former Celtic defender said [Daily Record]: “Matt’s exclusion has been a surprise and a big talking point amongst most football fans in Denmark. When you assess the season he’s had at Celtic and look at the trophies he’s helped the team to win, it’s a huge surprise for him not to be selected.
“Drill down further on his impact, the goals he’s scored, the number of assists he’s had and also the personal awards and nominations he’s won then it makes it even more puzzling. He couldn’t have done much more to push his claim to be in Germany as he’s had a pretty amazing season at Celtic.
“He’s giving this squad another chance to do something at a major finals and that’s obviously his take on it. He believes the group he’s chosen can do a good job. What’s amazing to me is that in a squad of 26 players there isn’t room for Matt but it’s also highly surprising to me that a few of the other younger players aren’t included either.
“I’d have loved to see Matt there and he would have benefited so much from watching and learning from the more experienced players.”
Big decisions coming O’Riley’s way
O’Riley has an important couple of months ahead regardless of his Euros exclusion. Clubs are expected to be interested in a big money transfer for the player.
Chris Sutton has expressed hope that Celtic can hold on to the midfielder but there’s an acknowledgement from many that the realities of the market make his exit feasible.
What’s clear is that the club are setting the bar high on his valuation and won’t let him go for a fee they aren’t wholly happy with.
O’Riley’s future is very bright – at Celtic or away from Glasgow – despite Hjulmand not turning to him this summer.