Matt O’Riley admits he’s still adjusting to the step up in England — but insists his time at Celtic prepared him for the competitive edge that’s expected at the highest level.
The former Parkhead favourite swapped Glasgow’s east end for the English Premier League last summer, joining Brighton & Hove Albion in a £25million deal that matched the Scottish transfer record.
The move came after a standout two-and-a-half years at Celtic, where O’Riley played 124 games, scored 27 goals, and supplied 35 assists, lifting six major honours including a domestic treble in 2022/23.
Now settling into life on the south coast, the 24-year-old Danish midfielder reflected on the difference in demands since making the jump.
“It’s a more competitive league than in Scotland,” O’Riley told The Athletic. “Every game poses a different challenge and that’s great. I really enjoy that because you need to find different solutions to be a team. I am enjoying being in the league. I am having a great time, but I still want to do better with the team.”
Read more:
-
‘Not too bothered’: Celtic's Johnston cool on Rangers guard of honour question
-
Aberdeen manager hails ex-Celtic keeper Ross Doohan before Hearts Scottish Cup clash
O’Riley, who signed a five-year deal at the Amex, hasn’t had it all his own way during his opening season in England.
His Premier League debut — delayed by a 10-week layoff after suffering ankle ligament damage on his first Brighton appearance against Crawley Town in the Carabao Cup — brought instant reward as he netted the winner against Manchester City in November.
But another injury setback, this time involving fluid build-up in his knee, proved to be a more frustrating hurdle.
“That [injury] wasn’t the most frustrating one,” O’Riley admitted. “The most frustrating one was my knee recently after Ipswich [2-0 away win in January], because I was trying to train with it. But there was so much fluid in my knee every day — it was two months of not playing anywhere near my best capacity.
“The first injury I accepted. It was a long-term injury and I came back pretty strong and pretty healthy — whereas that one [knee] was more niggly. That has settled down and I am grateful for a bit of rhythm.”
That niggle has now settled, and O’Riley is back chasing his best form in a Brighton side still seeking consistency under German boss Fabian Hurzeler.
The Seagulls head coach recently spoke of the midfielder’s struggles to string together a run of games, with O’Riley featuring in a variety of roles — from 'No 10' against Crystal Palace to a deeper ‘No 8’ position during the recent league clash with Leicester.
“I am probably most optimal as an eight,” he said. “I feel as though I can help in both aspects of the game, whether we are building up or going forward. I’m lucky to be able to run a lot as well. But I’m not somebody who is going to complain if I’m playing six, eight or 10. I just want to be on the pitch.”
“Competition is always good. I am used to that here and at Celtic. We had just as many midfielders at Celtic,” he acknowledged. “It brings the best out of you, because you need to keep your level high every day in training as well. Everyone needs to be ready.”
O’Riley also revealed he remains as self-critical as ever, regularly reviewing match footage as part of his bid to improve.
“I always watch my clips and see what I can do better,” he added. “We go through it as a team as well and, sometimes brutally honestly, see what we could have done better. We have to do that to know how to be better for the next game.”
