Speaking to Celtic TV, Hoops coach Darren O’Dea feels not much has changed for youngsters coming through the club if they want to make it as a first-team players, stating the principles are the same compared to when he emerged.
The former defender returned to the club as an academy coach earlier this month, taking charge of the U18s team.
The move was part of a revamp to how the the coaching works at development level, with former captain Stephen McManus becoming a Reserves team coach.
Impressed by the quality of the talent he is working with, after just a couple of weeks in the job, O’Dea has now told his youngsters they must be strong mentality and have a great attitude make the grade at Paradise, irregardless of the ability they have.
As quoted by Celtic TV, he said: “All the young players here, and I’ve got to see them over the last number of days, they’re talented. They’re very, very talented and that’s why they’re here.
“What’ll dictate whether they stay here is their attitude. So the principles are still the same as when I was here.
“My attitude and mentality were what carried me and they were things that were instilled in me at a very young age in the academy.”
A quality role model
Clearly O’Dea’s comments suggest that Celtic have a brilliant role model installed for young players to learn from before they take the next stage in their Hoops development.
The former Republic of Ireland international is working with players at an age below the really exciting teenagers on the verge of a first-team breakthrough.
However, he’ll get the chance to stamp his own mark on the personalities of others coming through over the next few years.
O’Dea was always a popular man at Celtic Park, despite not being the most naturally talented of players, so his leadership and outlook on how to make it as a professional should be invaluable lessons for our prospects.
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