Celtic under-18s manager Darren O’Dea has not been in the job for long, but he already faces an important test at the start of his Hoops coaching career.
The Hoops under-18 side have been drawn to face their counterparts at Rangers in the second round of this season’s Scottish Youth Cup.
Last season the teams met in the final, with Rangers winning 3-2. However, this season the teams will clash at a much earlier stage of the tournament.
A big test for the coach
This is will be a big test for O’Dea, in the eyes of the Hoops support. The Celtic support will obviously be hoping that the former Hoops player succeeds in his role as the coach of Celtic youngsters.
Defeating bitter rivals Rangers in the youth cup would certainly be a good start to his time at the club. It will be interesting to see if Celtic starlet Karamoko Dembele features in the game.
Starlet could make all the difference
He has only just returned from injury, and will be eager to catch the eye of both O’Dea and Hoops manager Neil Lennon.
Dembele could certainly be a difference-maker for the Hoops in the upcoming derby. He could be just the player to get O’Dea’s time in charge with the club off to a good start.
All at Celtic will be hoping that O’Dea does an excellent job with the Hoops – a win against Rangers would certainly be a good start.
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