Former Celtic midfielder Matt O’Riley has given his verdict on his current playing situation at Brighton and Hove Albion.
It was a stop-start campaign for the Denmark international last season, following an injury-hit debut against Crawley Town in the EFL Cup.
Making just 11 starts in 21 Premier League appearances under German manager Fabian Hurzeler, O’Riley told Danish media how he felt about his career at the seaside club thus far. "I am not completely happy, and I am just giving my opinion,” he said, relating to where he plays on the pitch under Hurzeler.
“It makes it difficult to show off when you play a position you are not completely happy with. I can play better for the team if I play the number 8 position, but I can play well in other positions.
"You can say it in a way that is not aggressive. If you are honest with another person, you don’t lose anything.
“The coach can always say he doesn’t agree."
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O’Riley continued: “I have become better at defending myself, being more aggressive and intense in duels. My coach said I should work on my defensive attitude so that I could defend better and help the team in that way. I think that will also help on the national team.
“I am best at the number eight position, where I can go box to box. I have only played two games there, otherwise, I have been used as a winger, false number 9, or somewhere else.”
Signed from MK Dons in 2022 under Ange Postecoglou, O’Riley went on to make 124 appearances for Celtic, scoring 27 goals and assisting a further 35.
Due to his stellar form in the 2023/24 season under Brendan Rodgers, Brighton signed the midfielder for £25 million, though he has been linked with a move to Everton in recent weeks.
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