Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand picked his team for the next international break on Tuesday.
Matt O’Riley of the Celtics was not included.
That was not supposed to be the end of the opportunity for the Celtic player, as Hjulmand was expected to call up two more names, with Brendan Rodgers’ man being one of the favourites to be selected.
That is unlikely now, and Celtic’s 6-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid may have played a role. The Danish manager stated that O’Riley pleased him when they played the Spaniards at Celtic Park, but that was clearly not the case in the rematch.
According to the Danish newspaper Ekstra Bladet, the manager stated, “Matt is looking really good.” We were overjoyed to have him in, and I believe he’s been performing well since then. The match versus Atletico Madrid at home was particularly impressive.
“He’s a different kind of midfielder than we have.” He plays in close proximity to the strikers. So he’s a unique personality, and I believe he’s done well. “I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot more of this player.”The question is if this is it, that is, the next two international matches, when the time may not be perfect to try something altogether different. That would be a large wager.”
There is obviously a sentiment in Denmark, particularly among Hjulmand, that deploying the Celtic player would need a shift in strategy from the country’s national team, and that step is not yet seen worthwhile.
Still, there’s a chance Hjulmand will change his mind, and probable injury withdrawals could occur.
