It has been an interesting season for Celtic hero Matt O’Riley at Brighton and Hove Albion.
O’Riley was a standout player in Scotland last season and his performances alerted those with big pockets in the Premier League.
Celtic made sure they secured a record transfer for O’Riley when he joined Brighton, but things haven’t gone to plan.
The 24-year-old’s debut for the South Coast club couldn’t have gone any worse because, inside ten minutes against Crawley Town in the League Cup, he was injured and out for months.
That has disrupted O’Riley’s campaign and he hasn’t managed to get his engine warm, with his one standout moment when he netted Brighton’s winning goal against Manchester City in his comeback match in November.
Since then, the free-flowing playmaker has watched on from the bench, most of the time, but now a door has opened for him.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
Fabian Hurzeler hails Celtic hero Matt O’Riley in Brighton training after Georginio Rutter’s injury
It’s that time of season when any type of injury could be season-ending, as Celtic fret about Kasper Schmeichel, those over at Brighton have bad news about another of their summer signings, Georginio Rutter.
Fabian Hurzeler shared in his pre-match press conference, before his side’s Wednesday night Premier League clash at Aston Villa, that his season could be over.
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But the Brighton boss sees this as an ‘opportunity’ for someone like O’Riley and hailed his ‘energy’ in training amid this period of ‘frustration’ for the player, as well as Rutter’s injury.
“Yeah, for sure (Rutter was a big part of Brighton’s team and a fan favourite),” responded Hurzeler. “That’s why I see more like an opportunity and a chance because we were always able to replace the players who are injured.
“Now, it’s another chance for Gruda and another chance for Matt O’Riley. Another chance for Cashin. Lewis (Dunk) is coming back (following Adam Webster’s injury), so I see it more as an opportunity. I will never complain about injuries.
On O’Riley having a ‘frustrating’ season since his Celtic move: “He is in great shape,” added Hurzeler. “He had some great training sessions. He made a great impression.
“Therefore, it’s a positive thing that all these players, who didn’t play so much this season, they have a big motivation and a big energy. Exactly these kinds of characters, with this full of energy inside of the body we need for the rest of the season, so I am happy that O’Riley is there.”
O’Riley’s stats for Brighton
Every Celtic fan will be rooting O’Riley on because they know what he is capable of when he is in full flow.
The Ange Postecoglou signing showcased that on his way to winning the Treble and then going to a different level under the stewardship of Brendan Rodgers.
The issue this season hasn’t been about quality, but a lack of minutes and sharpness that isn’t allowing him to showcase what he is really about.
Competition Games Goals Assists Minutes played
Premier League Premier League 12 1 1
FA Cup FA Cup 1 – –
EFL Cup EFL Cup 1 – –