So Matt O'Riley was as good as his word when the Premier League chance came.

Ahead of the home match against Manchester City, he told us he had used his time out injured to get to know his new surroundings.

The city, the club, the squad, the tactics. Becoming well-versed in what would be expected when he got the green light following injury sustained in his Carabao Cup bow against Crawley.

On our back page last Thursday, we led with a piece detailing his preparation, his positive mindset and his confidence that he was ready to play some part at the weekend.

Then he went on and slotted seamlessly into a tactical plan which he went on to explain after the game.

It resulted in him scoring a dream winning goal to secure a 2-1 success over Manchester City.

O’Riley had been busy in the days ahead of his big chance, including an appearance alongside the new team of ambassadors for the Brighton and Hove Albion Foundation.

It felt like he knew his big chance was around the corner, although it was only supposed to be for up to 20 minutes.

Asked whether he was studying games and seeing whose place he might take when fit, he replied: “I don’t really look at it like that.

“I know it would be natural to think that I have to beat that guy to get into my position but I tried to stop having that outlook a while ago because I think it just takes focus away from what I need to do.

“So I kind of try to concentrate on training as well as I can, enjoying it, and the rest usually takes care of itself.”

O’Riley is happy to be seen as box-to-box player, although he was soon getting well forward against City and was part of effectively a five-man frontline in the move for his goal.

He said: “I’m happy being involved in both boxes, especially when I’m fully fit.

“I feel I’m someone who can run for a long time and that’s a useful skill.

“I enjoy helping in the build-up, I enjoy going forward and helping defensively. Whatever is necessary for the team.”

O’Riley came to Albion from Celtic after, in the end, making a choice between the Seagulls and Atalanta.

He is happy to recognise finances between the clubs will have paid a part in the fact Celtic sold him to Albion over the Europa League winners.

But he would have been happy with either.

He added: “I spoke to the manager, I had a couple of conversations with the club.

“I’m someone who wants to have a lot of clarity before I make decisions like this.

“It’s a big decision and it’s important you find the right place.

“From conversations I had and speaking to other people, I was told the culture was really good, the intention to improve was there, and that was something I wanted to be part of.”

Tactical adaptability will be crucial with Albion, as has already been shown.

And there might be times when he is not the man for the job – as indeed can be the case with others.

O’Riley said: “I prefer being in a team where competition is high and the squad is strong.

“It sounds mental, but I would want to win the Premier League.

“When you’re at a club like this, on an upward trajectory, that should be the intention.

“Everyone here is trying to constantly improve, which is kind of the DNA of the club, so I’m happy to be a part of that. I think it fits well.

The approach taken by O’Riley to his new challenge, and its false start against Crawley, has impressed everyone. On the club’s own podcast this week, he spoke again about trying to keep everything in proportion and context.

He spoke about meditation and he revealed that he quickly forgave Crawley’s Jay Williams for the foul which left him injured, even if those close to him found it hard to do the same.

There was recognition for his family and their support, notably when he decided to leave Fulham and, later, when he tried his luck at Kortrijk in Belgium.

Mum and dad have moved to Hove to be close to his career.

And, as he told the Argus, there is a good reason for his official football nationality of Danish.

He said: “Yes, through my mum. She grew up pretty much in Copenhagen.

“I’ve got quite a lot of family over there although I did represent England at youth level.

“But there came a point when it felt right to go with Denmark.

“I can speak the language, although I would like to be better. I like the people over there and I enjoy the country.”

Georginio Rutter, O’Riley and Jack Hinshelwood have all been confirmed as Foundation ambassadors, while Joel Veltman enters his third year in the role.

New arrivals Fran Kirby and Nikita Parris, who have 144 England caps between them, have been named as ambassadors from the women’s first team. American forward Madison Haley joins them, and Vicky Losada and Pauline Bremer continue in the role for the second consecutive season.

The current Albion players will be joined by club legends Guy Butters, Inigo Calderon and Bobby Zamora, as well as long-standing club supporter Fatboy Slim (Norman Cook).

The Foundation have produced a sweatshirt, which will go on sale from January, using the Fatboy Slim font.