The Danish midfielder is in the form of his life with Man of the Match performances in the Champions League.
Brendan Rodgers sees the evolution of in-form Matt O'Riley coming true before his very eyes after setting the midfielder a key challenge on day one.
The Danish midfielder played an important role under Rodgers' predecessor Ange Postecoglou, but has found himself the main man under the Irishman so far this season. O'Riley has turned provider in to finisher on six occasions so far this campaign, topping off his purple patch with a goal against Hearts and an assist in the Champions League in the thrilling 2-2 draw with Atletico Madrid, with the 22-year-old enjoying the added glory of a Man of the Match award.
Celtic travel to take on Hibernian on Saturday with the Irish coach expecting a tough test from Nick Montgomery's men, but says the mandate for his midfield players will be to get forward more and more. It was evident in their Edinburgh stroll against Hearts last weekend, but Rodgers this time will be without hamstrung Reo Hatate.
On O'Riley, he said: "I've been so pleased for Matt because he works very hard at his game, his contribution is what you want as a number eight in midfield, someone who can create and score goals. But he also puts in a real defensive shift, presses the game well and does a lot of the dirty stuff. "He has real, high-level technical quality and it's great for him because at the very highest level he's shown not only can do it domestically but in the Champions League...For him, it's great but more so from the team . It's efficiency we want, players in those positions have to create and score. Last weekend Matt makes forward runs in to the box and scores, Reo does the same and creates one for Daizen. It's all pleasing but it has to be continual.
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