Matt O'Riley's Celtic Q+A in full: Sealing the title, McGregor's influence and reaching 'that next level'

First of all, start with your goal of the month award. That must be nice when you get recognised for these things...

Yeah, it's pretty cool. I think I only touched the ball a couple of times in the build-up to that goal so I have to say thank you to most of my team for that one because there were a lot of passes before the final shot. But it's pretty cool to win it, so I'm happy about that.

When you look at this weekend, is it just a case of looking at what's in front of you and not thinking of all the implications of what could happen?

I think so. I think we approach it like any other game, I know it sounds pretty cliche, but that's all we can really control at the end of the day. That's what we've been doing for most of the season and we'll stay doing that for the last remaining games.

A word on Callum McGregor - he obviously got the players' player of the year accolade. From Celtic dressing room point of view, what has he been like throughout the season?

He's been great. I remember my first day he was the first one to come up and welcome me so that kind of says it says enough about his character in that sense. And yeah, just throughout my time he's been really good and very important in terms of moments in games where you just need someone to step up. Before the game [he is] really trying to get everyone going. After the game he is always quite a calm head as well, never really singles anyone out. He's very level-headed about it which is, I think, really important as a captain. He's been great.

How determined are the squad to make sure that they finish the season with a flourish?

Yeah, like I said, the approach is still the same. We don't feel as though we've cracked it yet. We don't feel as though we're a great team. We still think there's a lot more we need to do to be at that next level. We're just going to try keep them improving game by game kind of thing. Hearts is not an easy game either so we're gonna have to approach it with the utmost respect towards them and hopefully we can just take care of business.

What was the mood in the camp after the draw against Rangers? Was your primary response disappointment at being held to a draw or was it was it more relief preventing Rangers from reigniting the title race?

Probably a mixture. I felt like for the majority of the game, we managed it well. Obviously, they had some good chances towards the end so I think from an outside point of view, it gets looked at a bit differently. I was disappointed, certainly, with a draw. It was a game where we were more than capable of winning, especially with the chances we had, but it wasn't meant to be for whatever reason. After the game, we all sat down and said 'listen, we can't be hard on ourselves. We're six points clear with however many games to go so we're in a good place'. The mood was pretty good overall.

Has there been a temptation to celebrate because it's almost there or do you think it's too soon when you've got a team like Hearts who are third-top coming to visit next?

There's no time for celebrations yet. There's still a lot of football to be played. From an outside point of view, it looks like it's potentially close to being finished but from where we are we have a lot more work to do to close it over the line. So no celebrations. Once we, hopefully, do it we can focus on that.

Would you say that your move to Celtic so far as has gone to plan or even exceeded expectations - for you personally and the team?

I didn't really know what to expect, both on a personal level and a collective level. Obviously, it was a big change for me in terms of where I came from but it's gone really well. I couldn't really ask for too much more. I'm always someone who demands a lot from myself so I think there are times when I was probably disappointed I haven't done as well as I thought I could have, etc. But I think overall I've played to a pretty good level. I've been pretty consistent which I think is important, especially in the position I am on the pitch. As a team I think we've been really good. A couple of blips here and there, but that's football and I think anytime we've had a blip we've we've come back really well.

What's your biggest achievement in football before now, medals-wise at least?

I haven't won any medals, mate. Not professionally. This will be my first so that'll be pretty cool if I can do that. But, like I said previously, I haven't done it yet so I'm trying to focus on everything that I can do to achieve that goal. And then hopefully once it happens, I can enjoy that feeling.

Do you think there's a lot more to come from you, hopefully many more years at Celtic and many more trophies?

Definitely. I've said to myself numerous times that I think I'm playing at a good level but I definitely feel that there's a lot more to come. It's an adaptation period for me in a sense. I've come from a different league, a different culture, so I'm still coming to grips with it. I feel very settled but I still think next season will really give me a chance to [kick on]. I've built a foundation now to a point where I'm settled in the team, settled in the environment. So hopefully next season I can really push on and reach high levels on both a personal and collective note.

Is the league what you expected?

I didn't know what to expect. And I'll be honest, I just knew obviously the size of the club. I knew the level was going to be a higher one but at the same time I always felt it was a level I was more than capable of playing at so I've been happy with the transition, it has felt very natural. I'm looking forward to hopefully pushing on next season.

Is success in Europe the next step?

I think so. I think that's what can take us to the next level. Hopefully, once the season is over, we can put ourselves in a good place to do that. That is an exciting thought for all of us around Celtic. I'm not going to say anything now because we haven't officially won anything but, in terms of European football, if we can play at the highest level I think for all of us that'd be a really cool experience. And just being able to test yourself against the best players in the world will be really cool because that's something I've always wanted to do.

To Hearts - they've already cemented third place and have a Scottish Cup final on the horizon so what to expect from them? Anything different from what you've already faced?

We expect a tough game, always a tough game. I remember that being my debut away at their place and that was a hostile environment. So I know what it's like personally already, which is a good experience to have. We all know that they're a strong team or they wouldn't be in third place. They wouldn't be in a cup final if they weren't a good team, so we're gonna have to be more than ready for it.

If you win the league and qualify for the Champions League group stages, how will that impact your chances of making the World Cup with Denmark?

I do. Yeah. I think anyone who is playing Champions League football and hopefully playing it at a good level helps massively. But, again, I know it's annoying for me to say this: we haven't got there yet. Once we do, I'll give you a proper answer on that.

Joe Hart made some important saves towards the end of the game last weekend. How important has he been for Celtic since you've been at the club?

He's been massive. He doesn't get called upon too often but, when he does, he always seems to be making those really important saves. I can remember a few of them: the semi-final against ranges there was a massive save - albeit we didn't go on to close it out - but in terms of his presence, he really gives us something where we all just feel comfortable being in front of him. I think someone with his experience naturally brings that sense of ease to all of those around him.