Jim Duffy thinks playmaker Matt O’Riley is suffering because of Brendan Rodgers’ scheme.
The decline in form of Celtic’s star player, who started the season on fire with six goals and several assists from his first 12 games, has greatly worried the team’s supporters. But O’Riley’s latest downturn has seen him play in just 12 games with one strike while his contributions have decreased as well.
The Celtics have often dropped points and fallen behind Rangers in the Premiership, and both fans and analysts have attacked Rodgers’ playing philosophy.
Speaking on Superscoreboard, Duffy has now concluded that this may be the true cause of O’Riley’s sharp decline in form.
Duffy remarked, “I think the system doesn’t always suit him. I said that earlier on.” “In particular, I consider O’Riley. He needs that three in here, in my opinion, because it authorises him to go and provide support. He is quite limited when playing that 4-2-3-1, though, and I don’t believe that’s how he naturally plays.
“Thus, I don’t believe O’Riley has benefited much from the system.”
