Celtic being proved right in not moving for Stephen O’Donnell

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Stephen O’Donnell’s Scotland performances haven’t provided us with the solution to the right-back issue our country has seemingly had for years.

Steve Clarke has been putting plenty of faith into the Kilmarnock full-back. So far, however, he isn’t being paid back with the quality we all would’ve hoped O’Donnell would provide. For many Scottish Celtic supporters, he’s been a disappointing addition to the Scotland side. You have to imagine, then, that those same fans will be pleased we never made a move for him this summer.

It had been mooted throughout the transfer window that this was a possibility. O’Donnell himself dismissed the idea and said that he wasn’t aware of any interest (The Herald). Instead, the Hoops signed Hatem Abd Elhamed from Hapoel Be’er Sheva. It’s easy to answer who out of the pair you would rather have in your side too.

First off, this isn’t a piece looking to totally bash O’Donnell. He’s an internationalist who has performed consistently for Kilmarnock over a prolonged period of time. With over 300 senior appearances and just under 130 in the Scottish Premiership, he’s a veteran at this level.

But when he’s stepped up to international competition, he’s been proven to be lacking in many aspects. When you think of O’Donnell for Scotland, all that really comes to mind are pass backs. He doesn’t seem to fancy taking international opponents on, and seems to be trying to play it safe too often.

Stephen O’Donnell’s Scotland performances don’t inspire confidence

Positionally, O’Donnell has also been caught out on many occasions during his 10 Scotland outings. He was extremely poor in the 2-1 home defeat to Russia on Friday night. He even added an own goal to his record, but in fairness to O’Donnell he was desperately trying to clear a square ball. Why he was wrong-side of the attacker, however, is something he has to answer for.

Scotland have lost seven of O’Donnell’s 10 matches with the national team. He hasn’t been the key reason for the defeats. But from a Celtic perspective, he hasn’t been enough of a standout either.

There’s a lack of excitement in O’Donnell’s play. He’s tidy enough on the ball, but you wonder just what he would bring to Celtic that we don’t already have.

Consistency at international level has been a real struggle for the Kilmarnock man. Whilst he may have impressed in Ayrshire, he has so much more to do if he’s to ever earn a move to Parkhead.

O’Donnell is a decent footballer, of that there is no doubt. He wouldn’t have made it this far at Killie if he wasn’t. But is he Celtic quality at the end of the day? Absolutely not, and it continues to be proven when he pulls on a Scotland jersey.