Celtic Fc manager Brendan Rodgers explain his secret reason why he choose the 23-year-old midfielder Matt O’Riley to take the penalty shot during Rangers vs Celtic draw match

With a 3-3 draw against Rangers at Ibrox yesterday, Celtic kept their title hopes alive in the Scottish Premiership.

With six league games left, the Bhoys are one point ahead of their foes, who are set to play Dundee on Wednesday in their own game.

Still, Brendan Rodgers knows that six wins from their final games will be enough to bring a third straight title to Parkhead, which shouldn’t be too much to ask.

The Hoops’ first goal came from Daizen Maeda’s great pressure just 21 seconds later. Just over ten minutes before halftime, Matt O’Riley scored with ease from the penalty spot.

The person who takes penalties for Celtic has changed a lot this season. Reo Hatate, Luis Palma, and Adam Idah are just a few of the players who have done it.

Jack Butland’s frame didn’t bother Denmark international O’Riley in the goalmouth. He gave the home goalie no chance with a well-hit shot that silenced the Ibrox crowd.

Idah seemed to have given Celtic all three points late in the game at Ibrox, but Rabbi Matondo saved a point for the home team in extra time.

What Brendan Rodgers said about Matt O’Riley’s decision against Rangers

Without a question, Celtic has had a tough time converting penalties this season. They have missed five of their nine Scottish Premiership penalties [Transfermarkt].

But O’Riley, who plays for Denmark, didn’t give in to the pressure, showing once more why he is one of the Bhoys’ most valuable players.

Rodgers talked about how O’Riley was put in charge of penalties after the game. He also said that the 23-year-old had practiced his missed shot in training.

Rodgers said [from The Celtic Way]: “No.” In fact, it wasn’t. He wanted to get in trouble. A few months ago, he came into my office and said, “Listen, if you want to change the people who take penalties, I’m here.” “He asked the coaches, but we already knew where it was going, and he was calm. I knew because he had practiced it the day before.”

Afterward, he said, “He practiced that, and he said he was going to hit it down the middle.”

This season, Matt O’Riley has been great for Celtic.
Yesterday, Celtic needed players to step up and take responsibility. O’Riley put on another great show, the latest in a long line of great ones this season for the London-born player.

Transfermarkt says that the former MK Dons player has now scored 13 goals and set up 16 others in 41 games across all categories.

O’Riley is very creative, and while on league service, he has also made 75 chances for his teammates [Fotmob].

From now until the end of the season, the player will likely lead Celtic as they try to finish top of the league and win the double.