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The National (Scotland)
The National (Scotland)
Sport
Aidan Macdonald

Matt O'Riley's grandmother reveals what makes Celtic midfielder 'furious'

There is one thing in particular that makes Celtic midfielder Matt O'Riley "furious" and that is when people question his nationality.

This is according to the 22-year-old's grandmother who says the Denmark international has faced scepticism from some when playing for his country.

O'Riley was born in England but qualifies to play for Denmark through his mother and his relative was keen to praise him after his recent debut for his country against Northern Ireland.

Speaking to Danish outlet Bold.dk, she said: "I was hospitalized a month ago, and then I told them to hurry because my grandson plays football and that it was a Champions League match.

"Then I was given a strong painkiller, and then I was allowed to drive home again. I would have liked to have been there [debut] and I have also been to Celtic a few times, but I have had some problems with some age-related illness and the doctors are a bit after me.

"They say that I have to slow down a bit for a while and that I must not throw myself into airplanes all the time.

"It is of course very annoying, because of course I would have liked to have been there. I watched the national match on TV, and I also have access to Celtic TV, so I watch all matches.

"When he's been as persistent as he's been all these years, I think it's great that he's pushed through until he's achieved it.

"That characterises him, and it's very nice. I know the Danish mentality well, and now I'm saying something that might not be so popular, but I have a feeling that people don't really like the fact that he didn't grow up in Denmark.

"I sort of had the feeling that people thought it was better with 'real Danes'. He gets furious when he hears people say that, because he has a Danish passport.

"I would like to cut through and say that I think he is a fabulous footballer. So I have to say that. He is so intelligent, he reads the game and he passes the balls to the right man if they know each other like at Celtic.

"Everyone knows where the ball is going when Matt sends it. It is exceptionally good."

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