Matt O’Riley admits unhappiness at Brighton role amid transfer interest

Originally posted on The Celtic Star | Last updated Jun 4, 2025 4:19 PM ET

Former Celtic star Matt O’Riley has admitted that he is unhappy with his position at Brighton, insisting he is better in the No.8 central midfield position. In an interview with Danish media, O’Riley explained that he has spoken to Brighton’s youthful manager Fabian Hürzeler to express his views on his preferred position.

The 24-year-old joined Brighton from Celtic after earning the Player of the Year and Players’ Player of the Year awards the season before; however, O’Riley has struggled to hold down a regular starting spot owing to an injury on his debut. Although, he has impressed in the 23 appearances that he has made, assisting on 3 occasions and scoring 2 goals – including one from the spot against Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs.

“I am not completely happy, and I am just giving my opinion. 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.”

O’Riley admitted that he had progressed with Brighton, working on the defensive side of the game but it is clear that he feels that he is being played out of position with the Seagulls.

“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.”

Ange signed O’Riley for £1.5m in the January of 2022 with the MK Dons youngster helping Celtic overtake Rangers in a memorable midweek Glasgow Derby win and then hold onto the top spot for the next two seasons, leaving Celtic with three league titles, two Scottish Cups and one League Cup. The Danish Internationalist completed a £25m+ move in the summer after an incredible individual season, which concluded with Brendan Rodgers’ side winning a League and Cup Double. O’Riley left Celtic having made 124 appearances, scoring 27 times and assisting on 35 occasions.

This article first appeared on The Celtic Star and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: