Matt O'Riley: 'Doing Pilates helped my posture for goal against St Johnstone'

Matt O’Riley has revealed that doing Pilates helped him score Celtic’s second goal in their 3-1 win over St Johnstone on Sunday.

The Denmark international rounded off a fantastic passage of play from the league leaders as they came back from a goal down in Perth.

It was the 23-year-old’s seventh league goal of the season already this campaign and he credits his form in part to the exercise routine.

He said: “I surprised myself a bit with it, it was nice, my first thought after it went in was how stable I felt in my body. And I think that is a result of the Pilates I have been doing as well.

“So it’s nice to see these things coming together. It’s the best goal I have ever scored with my right foot.

“I just felt very stable on the ball, recently I have been practising it a lot with my right foot, it’s made me more stable and more effective, so if I can add that to my game as well it will be very helpful.

“I started it when I was younger at Fulham, because I had a few back problems, I’ve started to get back into it in the last year or so and I find it very beneficial.

“I do it outside of the club as well, I do my own stuff here at the club and just try and keep on top of everything away from the club as well.

“It helps with all sorts, it helps with injury prevention, it helps with just general stability on the pitch if you want to protect the ball, you’re more balanced and more robust.

“I think it’s important if you want to have a long career, and I’m someone who wants to play for a long time.”

“I didn’t realise how good all the link-up play before it was until I watched it back, I don’t think you ever realise at the time, but upon further reflection it was nice.”