Matt O’Riley showing he’s the real player of the year

Matt O’Riley scored twice last night in our thumping 5-0 win over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park as we clinched the title in magnificent style. Matt now has 17 league goals as well as 13 assists. 30 goal contributions from midfield and even more impressively only one was from the penalty spot.

His goals and assists in big games have helped us win the title. His brilliant form saw him deservedly crowned as Celtic Player of the Year, Players Player of the year and Young Player of the Year at the clubs gala award ceremony last Sunday at the Hydro.

Unfortunately Matt missed out when it came to the awards from his fellow pros and the writers. Despite being nominated in both shortlists Matt missed out as Hearts striker Lawrence Shankland picked up both awards.

Don’t get me wrong, Shankland deserves his awards after scoring 23 goals helping his side finish in third place, but does that make him a more worthy winner than Matt? Matt’s goals and assists have helped Celtic win the league and all from midfield. Matt also has the pressure of playing for a side who are expected to win every week.

Matt has been a revelation this season, so much so that teams such as Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are in the queue of sides interested in signing him alongside numerous top clubs from England’s Premier League.

Matt for me is the real player of the year in this country, and not many can argue with that. They say that money talks in football, and both Matt O’Riley and Lawrence Shankland are likely to get big transfers on the back of this season’s stand-out performances. The difference in the two transfer fees is likely to be well over £20m.