Matt O’Riley blown away by Celtic star Kyogo Furuhashi's relentless positivity

Matt O'Riley admitted he finds Celtic team-mate Kyogo Furuhashi's positive attitude "incredible" after a penalty miss failed to wipe the smile off the Japanese forward's face.

Furuhashi opened the scoring in Celtic's 4-1 win at Kilmarnock on Sunday but later hit the post with a spot-kick to keep him on 29 goals for the season.

O'Riley, who scored two goals at Rugby Park, said: "He's probably the nicest man I've ever met. It's not just on the pitch with what you see, he's genuinely the nicest man I've ever met.

"That guy could miss four open goals in a game and still be smiling, which I find incredible.

"It shows the kind of guy he is, and it's really nice to have someone like that in your team - regardless of whether they miss or score, they're still going to work hard.

"He knows he's already got, I don't know how many goals, so I don't think he's too fussed about missing one."

Furuhashi soon had another chance saved but refused to let it get to him - moments later he was racing back 70 yards to win the ball on the edge of his own box.

"I remember it perfectly because I gave away the ball and he covered me nicely," O'Riley said.

"That shows the character of everyone in our team - it doesn't matter who makes a mistake, someone else is going to be there to rectify it. I think we've shown that across the course of the season.

"It's quite unique. We've got a lot of different nationalities in that team, with a nice blend of Japanese and pure Scottish guys who keep it, well, Scottish.

"It's a nice balance and everyone is a genuinely nice person which helps massively.

"There are no hard feelings if someone plays over you, we're still all going to chat and be friends.

"Competition always helps you play better. Last season I had that with Tom (Rogic), and to be able to compete with and also have the respect of someone like that definitely makes you play better."

O'Riley doubled his goal tally for the season on Sunday after waiting until February 11 to open his account, although he had played in a deeper midfield role during Callum McGregor's lay-off.

"It took me a long time, but when that first goal went in there was a sense of relief and now you'll start to see a bit more effortlessness in my performances because I have got a freer mind, which always helps," the 22-year-old said.