Matt O'Riley admits it’s crazy to be reunited with long-time mate Moritz Jenz at Parkhead.
But the Danish midfielder is adamant he was no secret agent in the deal which saw them link-up again at Celtic. O’Riley and Jenz were at school when first striking up a friendship during their youth days at Fulham. However, as the pair both understood their futures lay away from Craven Cottage, their paths went very different ways. While O’Riley stayed in England with MK Dons, the German defender headed abroad to kickstart his career. But now they have paired up again after being sourced by Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou.
O’Riley finds it hard to believe as he said: “Football can be crazy sometimes. Things can change so fast and your journey ends up meeting again. I am really friendly with Moritz. We met each other at the age of 14 or 15 at Fulham. We played together for four years and then we both left.
“I didn’t actually see him again until he came to Celtic, but we stayed in touch. Moritz went to Switzerland, then France. I went to League One with MK Dons.
“Then both of us signed for Celtic within a few months of each other. Football can throw stuff like this up and it’s nice to be his team-mate again.
“We shared a lot of good memories in the past and, hopefully, there are more to come in the future at Celtic. It was nice when I heard he was coming as having another friendly face around the place is a bonus.
“But in saying that, I have a lot of mates here already and that just shows the culture we have at Celtic. We have a great group and Moritz adds to that.”
The pals enjoyed discussions about the club prior to Jenz’s move to Glasgow’s East End. However, Celtic’s recruitment staff were already on the stopper’s trail way before the playmaker even heard that a move for his mate was finally in the offing.
O’Riley said: “When I signed in January, I wasn’t aware the club had looked at Moritz last summer. It wasn’t until we had a few calls before he came that I found that out. We spoke about a lot of things and I explained the set-up and system, but he was keen to come and here he is.”
Just as O’Riley made an instant impact upon signing in January with his goals and assists, Jenz has also hit the deck running. The centre-back launched himself into the away support last weekend in Dingwall after his crucial header put Celtic back ahead against Ross County on his debut.
No doubt he would love to do it again as the champions look to maintain their 100 per cent Premiership start when they head to Kilmarnock tomorrow. O’Riley said: “It was a massive moment for the team and for Moritz.
“I was so happy for him as I know how much it meant to him to score that goal. It was just nice to see him enjoying his football again. Moritz will add a lot to the squad. There is a lot of strength in depth and Moritz started really well at Ross County.
“He’s quick, strong and good in the air. He’s also composed on the ball. Moritz has all the attributes to be a top Celtic player.”
Celtic have made a strong start with wins over Aberdeen and County have the title holders back at the table summit and O’Riley said: “It’s been a positive start and we feel good.
“I’m enjoying it and we’re all in a good place mentally and physically. You can see that in the way we are playing. It’s still really early on. There is still a lot of football to be played, but it’s been enjoyable.”
Celtic head down the M77 knowing tomorrow’s clash will be a unique test. Killie’s artificial pitch is often a spoiler when it comes to the type of free-flowing football Postecoglou’s men like to play.
The hosts will also attempt to break up the game and make it difficult for their visitors as they look for their first win after returning to the top flight. O’Riley says the focus is purely on his own team and explained: “We just need to play our stuff and, hopefully, it works.
“Sometimes we need to dig deep and find other ways to create openings and chances and, if we do, we need to be clinical.”
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