ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE side Brighton suffered a 7-0 thumping away to high-flying Nottingham Forest today.
And Matt O’Riley, who made a big-money move from Celtic to Brighton in the summer, couldn’t believe what he was seeing as he came on at half-time with his side already 3-0 down.
They went on to concede a further four goals, including a hat-trick from Chris Wood.
O’Riley’s substitute appearance was his 12th game for Albion since recovering from a bad injury that derailed his start to life at the Amex Stadium, but just five of those have been starts.
What’s more, the midfielder is yet to complete 90 minutes in a game for the south coast outfit in what has been a miserable season to this point.
And Celtic fans were quick to take to social media to point out that the Dane might have been better staying put – and to suggest that his struggles could open the door for a quick-fire return to Parkhead.
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One fan posted on X: “Matt O’Riley is struggling to get game time at Brighton, and today comes on as a half time sub to participate in a battering by Forest.
“Might we be able to get him back in the summer for £8/9million?”
Another said: “At this rate I can see Matt O’Riley paying for his own transfer back to Celtic, what a disastrous move that is for him.”
A third simply said: “Matt O’Riley really left for this s***.”
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All the talk around Celtic right now is of returning heroes from the past.
Kieran Tierney will rejoin the club in the summer on a free transfer from Arsenal, whilst old favourite Jota came back to Celtic Park last week.
O’Riley reflected last week on his close relationship with Brendan Rodgers, what his Celtic manager had taught him and how he copes with challenges.
He said: “I learned so much off Brendan, I try to be as open as I can be to improving.
“A lot of the meditation I do helps with being as intentional and open-minded as you can.
“If I close myself to any new ideas then I’m not really going to improve to a level that is potentially there in the future.
“I try to be as open as I can to new information.
“Right now, I’m still adapting to a new team and playing in a new league.
“It’s a great challenge but if I’m not open it won’t work.”
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