Grinning mischievously, Nicklas Bendtner confidently supports Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand’s decision to overlook Celtic’s star player Matt O’Riley for Euro 2024. Despite O’Riley’s impressive performances for the Scottish champions last season, winning multiple awards and excelling on the Champions League stage, Bendtner believes that the players selected for the squad were simply better.
In a podcast appearance, Bendtner defended Hjulmand’s choice by pointing out that O’Riley had limited opportunities to prove himself on the international stage and that the competition in the squad was fierce. While acknowledging O’Riley’s talent and potential for future success, Bendtner hinted that the midfielder’s lack of experience at the highest level might have played a role in his exclusion.
Bendtner also took a jab at the Scottish Premiership and Celtic, suggesting that the level of competition in the league may not have adequately prepared O’Riley for the demands of international football. Despite the controversy surrounding O’Riley’s omission, Bendtner remains confident that the young player will eventually earn his place in the national team, but believes that the timing just wasn’t right for him at the moment.
