Despite Kasper Hjulmand initially claiming that Matt O’Riley wasn’t quite ready to be called up to his Denmark squad, the Celtic midfielder, eligible through his mother’s side of the family, ended up going.
He was brought in after three extra players were needed, and he will now get a chance at getting his first cap for the country, which will please one person in particular: his 85-year-old grandmother.
The Celtic midfielder sat down with the Danish media on Tuesday, and explained how involved she is in his football career, with Bold relaying the quotes.
O’Riley even revealed that she listens to the Celtic podcast.
He said: “Yes, yes, she hears a lot. I don’t know what she’s doing. She’s just crazy (laughs). She is also on Twitter every day, and she scrolls, scrolls and scrolls. She is 85 and I can’t stand it. She knows everything, and that is why she is still alive. She will have to drive further to keep up.”
Stepping onto the pitch with a Denmark shirt on his back would clearly mean the world to Lis, who lives in Horsens, and he confirmed as much.
The Celtic star added: “Yes, of course. She doesn’t have much time left, so it will be great if I do it before her time is up. I hope I get to play and I hope she comes to a game one day. It will be cool.”
Denmark face Slovenia on Friday before travelling to Northern Ireland on Monday, giving O’Riley two chances to get his debut.
The midfielder has been in fantastic form for Celtic this season, scoring six goals in 12 league games to date, as well as picking up five assists.
