Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley shone brightly during Saturday's 4-0 friendly victory over DC United, donning the captain's armband in a match that showcased both his talent and resilience.
Amid ongoing transfer speculation around an exit away from Parkhead, the Danish international not only led his team with confidence but also found the back of the net twice, proving that he remains focused on being the ultimate professional.
"It was good fun," O'Riley shared with Celtic TV. "First and foremost, Cal (McGregor) will always be our captain, but at the same time, it's always a proud moment to wear the armband for a club like this, so I'm very happy."
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O'Riley believes the performance of the entire Celtic team should be given extra kudos considering the Audi Field pitch in Washington, D.C wasn't in pristine condition.
Second half substitutes Mikey Johnston and James Forrest also contributed off the bench with a goal each and ensured the Scottish Premiership champions had a straight-forward 90 minutes versus Major League Soccer opposition.
"The pitch was pretty bad to be honest, but I think we managed it really well," the former MK Dons star stated.
"Everyone is actually looking really sharp considering it's this early, it's really good. We are feeling good.
"Regardless of whether it's pre-season, every game for Celtic is a must win game, and we know that. That's the responsibility of playing for this club, but it's been nice to see such a good turnout. Even outside the hotel today, there were loads of fans, and that's what Celtic is about."
Reflecting overall on Celtic's week in the American capital, O'Riley commented: "It's been great fun to be honest, as well as obviously hard work out on the pitch, the club has been nice enough to put on some good events; going to the baseball, going to the White House were cool experiences and they are also good for the team bonding. So, I've really enjoyed it."
Next up for Celtic is a clashes against two strong English Premier League side's. They face Manchester City at Kenan Memorial Stadium in Chapel Hill, North Carolina on Wednesday before going head-to-head with Chelsea at the Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana a few days later.
Asked if the Hoops are relishing those tests, O'Riley replied: "It's nice to play top, top teams and arguably the best team in the world over the past few years. So, we are looking forward to the challenge."
