A former pupil from Teddington's Collis School is likely to be in the Celtic side to face the mighty Real Madrid in the group stage of the Champions League tomorrow night (Tuesday) Nub News can exclusively reveal.

Attacking midfielder Matt O'Riley, aged 21, who was born in West Middlesex Hospital and lived with his family on Langham Road, Teddington, is likely to be in the starting line-up for Celtic in front of a 60.000 capacity crowd at Celtic Park against the FOURTEEN times Champions League winners.

Football-mad Matt, who also played for the NPL (National Physical Laboratory) Youth Team, joined Fulham's Academy when he was just eight-years-old and made his Championship debut for Fulham as a 19-year-old before leaving in the summer of 2020 to join MK Dons.

Matt lifts the trophy representing Brentford FC at Wembley for the Npower League 1 Kids Cup in 2012 aged 11.

He signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with the Hoops in January this year and has already picked up a Scottish Premiership winners medal. He was named the BBC's Player of the Match in their resounding 4-0 victory over Rangers in Sunday's Old Firm derby, without question the biggest fixture in the club's domestic campaign.

Matt O'Riley put in a man-of-the-match display against Rangers on Saturday afternoon (Credit: SNS Group).

Proud father Dominic O'Riley, who has now moved to Glasgow with his wife, Gitte, told Nub News: "It's unbelievable to be honest and difficult to comprehend. Seven months ago we were at Morecambe playing with MK Dons and tomorrow night Matt is likely to be playing Real Madrid. You have to shake your head.

"But he fully deserves it, he has worked so hard and overcome lots of challenges and a few setbacks. He is very mature and very focussed and not overwhelmed by reputations. He loves what he does and put everything into it."

Matt's proud dad Dominic (left) and mum Gitte, who lived in Teddington.

The Real Madrid squad includes many household names such as Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Antonio Rudiger and Karim Benzema.

Matt, who has made 22 appearances for Celtic and scored 4 goals with 9 assists, is also in line to play in the FIFA World Cup in Qatar for Denmark. He qualifies for Denmark because of his mother's nationality and has already played for the Danish Under-21's.

The Teddington-born football star has remained close to his school friends and his local roots and has invited them to Celtic matches as well as joining them for holidays.

Matt, aged about 8 (standing left) in the wheelbarrow race at Collis School with friend Alex Lamb.

As a youngster he idolised Lionel Messi, also a left footer, as well as the classy Italian icon Andrea Pirlo and Ronaldo.

His father describes him as a 'student of the game' rather than a big fan of one team.