DAILY RECORD 🔵 Matt O’Riley in sobering Marseille apology as Celtic retain transfer windfall hope

The Denmark star joined the Ligue 1 giants in a loan deal from Brighton last summer

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Matt O’Riley has apologised to Marseille fans for missing a spot kick in their Trophée des Champions defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

With the scores level at 2-2 in Thursday’s super cup final in Kuwait, a penalty shootout was required to separate the teams. Celtic hero O’Riley appeared as a late substitute for Les Olympiens but was one of two Marseille players who failed to convert from 12 yards as Champions League holders PSG came out on 4-1.

The Denmark international joined the Ligue 1 giants on a season-long loan from Premier League side Brighton last summer and has registered two goals and five assists in 21 matches in all competitions. But following his penalty miss, the 25-year-old took to social media to apologise for his role in the Trophée des Champions defeat.

Writing on Instagram, O’Riley said: « To the entire Marseille family, please accept my sincere apologies. I know how much this meant to all of us and what it took from the players, staff, and supporters to get to this point.

« All that hard work and your trust should have been rewarded. You deserved it more than anyone. Thank you for your support. We will come back stronger for you. Go OM. »

In the wake of their shootout loss, Marseille head coach Roberto De Zerbi explained his decision to select O’Riley as one of the penalty takers. He stated: « I don’t like to force players. (Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang) Aubameyang never took the first penalty.

« Mason) Greenwood had cramps, I had to take him off, otherwise he would have stayed. O’Riley took the penalties at Brighton. »

O’Riley was heavily linked with Serie A powerhouses AS Roma before making the move to France in September after boss Gian Piero Gasperini previously tried to sign him for Atalanta.

Although there is no obligation to buy in the terms of the deal, it was reported in France and Italy last month that Marseille are keen to turn his loan move into a permanent transfer.

His former club Celtic will be watching on with interest, having inserted a 10 per cent sell-on clause into the £25million deal that took the midfielder to Brighton in August 2024.

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