CJ Egan-Riley admits he’s buzzing to ‘show what he can do’ at Parkhead after experiencing Champions League football last season.
The Hibs ace on-loan from Burnley starred in Pep Guardiola all-star side in a 0-0 draw with Sporting Lisbon a year ago this month. And the stopper was never fazed with the huge occasion at the Etihad as he pulled off a daring Cruyff turn inside his own box. That move earned approval from the City fans but sparked fury with goalkeeper Scott Carson who warned the then 19-year-old to “never do that again,” but Egan Riley insists its the type of player he is.
Egan-Riley also got a taste of Manchester’s big ground when he featured in a 2-0 EFL Cup loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Now he’s vowed to relish the challenge of going up against Ange Postecoglou’s juggernaut in Glasgow today.
READ MORE: Hearts and Hibs pre-split fixtures in full as battle for third spot and Europe heats up
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On the clash with league-leaders Celtic Egan Riley said: “These are the games I came here to play in, against the best teams, where the crowds are, there there’s eyes on you. And where you can really show what you can do.
“That’s what I want to do this weekend. I just want to play in the best stadiums with the best crowds and atmospheres. This will be one of them so I’m buzzing and looking forward to it.”
Calling the Sporting game one of the “best nights of my life”, Egan-Riley explained: “I was buzzing to play in the Champions League, it’s something I have grown up watching.
“The Champions League nights, the anthem, the stadium, everything, I was over the moon. To play for the team I have grown up playing for, I loved it.
"I played right-back, I had a few tackles. Near the end of the game there was a bit where we were penned into the corner and we started playing one-twos around the back. I did a Cruyff turn, passed it to John Stones, he 'megged someone and we got out of it and the crowd started clapping.
"After the game Scott Carson who was in goals came to me and said, 'CJ, don't ever do that again' because we almost lost the ball, it was risky. The type of player I am, I don't like just getting rid of the ball for no reason, and there was an opportunity to play out and keep the ball and we did.”
Egan-Riley was brought in January by manager Lee Johnson so he wasn’t scarred by Hibs last trip to Glasgow’s East End in October of last year where they were mauled 6-1. After that match Johnson accused his players of being brain-washed into thinking they couldn’t beat Scotland’s top two after that contest.
They head into the Scottish Premiership duel having been battered by Rangers at Easter Road 10 days ago.
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